Baldwin & Sons
Auction 106 15 Sep 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
The Rare, VC Action, Egypt and Sudan, Distinguished Conduct Medal group of 4 for the Battle of Tel‑El‑Kebir Highland Light Infantry VC action awarded to Colour Sergeant George Robinson, 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry comprising, Distinguished Conduct Medal, QVR, (Cr Sergt. G. Robinson. 2/High: L. Inf 13th Sept 1882), Egypt Medal, 1882‑89, dated reverse, one clasp, Tel‑El‑Kebir, (183(1) or (4), Cr Sergt G. Robinson 2/High. L.I.), Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, QVR, (1834 Cr. Sg G. Robinson. High: L.I.), Khedives Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, all heavily pitted and naming polished, rubbed and worn, toned good (4).
From the Historical Account of the 74th Highlanders, 1873‑1886.
It only remains here to notice the particular part taken in this wonderful achievement by the Highland Light Infantry at Tel‑El‑Kebir. When the enemy's musketry fire opened at the distance of 150 yards, the font line, followed by the second, instantly charged, headed by its officers, mounted, and unmounted, the men fixing bayonets as they ran. When half the distance had been traversed, a battery of four guns opened right in front, but though their contents passed harmlessly overhead, the rifle fire was more deadly, and before the ditch was reached, Major Colville, Lieutenants Kays, Somervell, and Midwood, and some 50 non‑commissioned officers and men had fallen. On reaching the enemy's works, the centre of the Battalion found itself stopped by an impracticable ditch, about 9 feet deep and 10 feet wide, and with almost perpendicular scarps. Into this, unseen darkness, many of the front line fell, amongst them being Lieutenant Gold Adams, who, along with Corporals Buchan and Adams, succeeded in mounting the opposite face. They pulled others up, and thus, collected a small party, which lay waiting for an opportunity to rush over the parapet.
The main body of the centre, now reinforced by the second line, was meanwhile swaying backwards and forward, seeking vainly in the darkness for some means of entry; but the flanks, more fortunate, had found ditches opposite them shallower, and the parapets lower, and had forced their way in, under Majors Wallace and Leigh on the right and Lieutenant Edwards on the left; and these parties, reinforced by that of Lieutenant Gold Adams, rapidly cleared the work, inflicting considerable loss on the defenders. About 150 men of the centre, still unable to find a way over the big ditch, and, owing to the darkness, to see what was going on elsewhere, now began to retire, halting at intervals, and facing about individually to fire at the parapet; but as the fire from the works slackened and ceased, a halt was made, and on the arrival of the reserves this portion of the Regiment was lead back, and entered without opposition the right (the British left) of the big work which had previously foiled it. The total loss of the Battalion was 3 officers and 18 non‑commissioned officers and men killed; and 5 officers and 54 non‑commissioned officers and men wounded, of whom 3 afterwards died of their wounds. For services during the Campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Straghan was made Companion of the Bath, Major Leigh was promoted to a Brevet Lieutenant‑Colonelcy, and Captain Macdonald to a Brevet Majority.
Colour Sergeant Robinson received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Lieutenant Edwards the Victoria Cross. "for conspicuous bravery displayed by him during the Battle of Tel‑El‑Kebir, on the 13th of September 1882, in leading a party of Highland Light Infantry to storm a redoubt Lieutenant Edwards (who was in advance of his party), with great gallantry, rushed alone into the Battery, killed the artillery officer in charge, and was himself knocked down by a gunner with a rammer, and only recused by the timely arrival of three of his Regiment." The following decorations were also bestowed by H.H. the Khedive: ‑ Lieutenant‑Colonel Straghan, the 3rd class of the Medjidieh; Major Wallace and Major Leigh, the 4th class of the Osmanlie; and Captain and Adjutant Carey, the 4th class of the Medjidieh. Lieutenant Good Adams, Sergeant‑Major Lister, Sergeant Samuel Davis (severely wounded), Corporal James Smith, Corporal Buchan (severely wounded), Lance Corporal Donald Robertson, Privates A. Sutherland and William Gray, and Drummer Fitch were all mentioned for special gallantry by the commanding officer, who also commended Captain and Quarter‑Master Swanson for his energy and endurance throughout the campaign, and Lieutenant Templer for most satisfactory performance of his duties as Transport Officer to the Battalion. Of these only the non‑commissioned officers and men were mentioned in despatches.
George Robinson attested for the 74th Foot, Highland Light Infantry on the 11th of July 1867 stating that he was 18 years of age and a clerk by profession. He was born in Kensington, London and attested at Westminster City Police Court. He served Home 11th of July 1867 to the 2nd of December 1867, Mediterranean 3rd of December 1867 to the 1st of December 1876, China Command 2nd of December 1876 to the 22nd of January 1880, Home 23rd of January 1880 to the 7th of July 1882, Egypt 8th of July 1882 to the 18th of February 1883, Home 19th of February 1883 to the 30th of September 1884, East Indies 1st of October 1884 to the 20th of November 1888, Home 21st of November 1888 to the 11th of December 1888 being discharged after completion of exactly 21 years' service. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in GO 134 of 1886. His service was noted as Exemplary.
Sold with copy service papers and extract from Regimental history.
From the Historical Account of the 74th Highlanders, 1873‑1886.
It only remains here to notice the particular part taken in this wonderful achievement by the Highland Light Infantry at Tel‑El‑Kebir. When the enemy's musketry fire opened at the distance of 150 yards, the font line, followed by the second, instantly charged, headed by its officers, mounted, and unmounted, the men fixing bayonets as they ran. When half the distance had been traversed, a battery of four guns opened right in front, but though their contents passed harmlessly overhead, the rifle fire was more deadly, and before the ditch was reached, Major Colville, Lieutenants Kays, Somervell, and Midwood, and some 50 non‑commissioned officers and men had fallen. On reaching the enemy's works, the centre of the Battalion found itself stopped by an impracticable ditch, about 9 feet deep and 10 feet wide, and with almost perpendicular scarps. Into this, unseen darkness, many of the front line fell, amongst them being Lieutenant Gold Adams, who, along with Corporals Buchan and Adams, succeeded in mounting the opposite face. They pulled others up, and thus, collected a small party, which lay waiting for an opportunity to rush over the parapet.
The main body of the centre, now reinforced by the second line, was meanwhile swaying backwards and forward, seeking vainly in the darkness for some means of entry; but the flanks, more fortunate, had found ditches opposite them shallower, and the parapets lower, and had forced their way in, under Majors Wallace and Leigh on the right and Lieutenant Edwards on the left; and these parties, reinforced by that of Lieutenant Gold Adams, rapidly cleared the work, inflicting considerable loss on the defenders. About 150 men of the centre, still unable to find a way over the big ditch, and, owing to the darkness, to see what was going on elsewhere, now began to retire, halting at intervals, and facing about individually to fire at the parapet; but as the fire from the works slackened and ceased, a halt was made, and on the arrival of the reserves this portion of the Regiment was lead back, and entered without opposition the right (the British left) of the big work which had previously foiled it. The total loss of the Battalion was 3 officers and 18 non‑commissioned officers and men killed; and 5 officers and 54 non‑commissioned officers and men wounded, of whom 3 afterwards died of their wounds. For services during the Campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Straghan was made Companion of the Bath, Major Leigh was promoted to a Brevet Lieutenant‑Colonelcy, and Captain Macdonald to a Brevet Majority.
Colour Sergeant Robinson received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Lieutenant Edwards the Victoria Cross. "for conspicuous bravery displayed by him during the Battle of Tel‑El‑Kebir, on the 13th of September 1882, in leading a party of Highland Light Infantry to storm a redoubt Lieutenant Edwards (who was in advance of his party), with great gallantry, rushed alone into the Battery, killed the artillery officer in charge, and was himself knocked down by a gunner with a rammer, and only recused by the timely arrival of three of his Regiment." The following decorations were also bestowed by H.H. the Khedive: ‑ Lieutenant‑Colonel Straghan, the 3rd class of the Medjidieh; Major Wallace and Major Leigh, the 4th class of the Osmanlie; and Captain and Adjutant Carey, the 4th class of the Medjidieh. Lieutenant Good Adams, Sergeant‑Major Lister, Sergeant Samuel Davis (severely wounded), Corporal James Smith, Corporal Buchan (severely wounded), Lance Corporal Donald Robertson, Privates A. Sutherland and William Gray, and Drummer Fitch were all mentioned for special gallantry by the commanding officer, who also commended Captain and Quarter‑Master Swanson for his energy and endurance throughout the campaign, and Lieutenant Templer for most satisfactory performance of his duties as Transport Officer to the Battalion. Of these only the non‑commissioned officers and men were mentioned in despatches.
George Robinson attested for the 74th Foot, Highland Light Infantry on the 11th of July 1867 stating that he was 18 years of age and a clerk by profession. He was born in Kensington, London and attested at Westminster City Police Court. He served Home 11th of July 1867 to the 2nd of December 1867, Mediterranean 3rd of December 1867 to the 1st of December 1876, China Command 2nd of December 1876 to the 22nd of January 1880, Home 23rd of January 1880 to the 7th of July 1882, Egypt 8th of July 1882 to the 18th of February 1883, Home 19th of February 1883 to the 30th of September 1884, East Indies 1st of October 1884 to the 20th of November 1888, Home 21st of November 1888 to the 11th of December 1888 being discharged after completion of exactly 21 years' service. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in GO 134 of 1886. His service was noted as Exemplary.
Sold with copy service papers and extract from Regimental history.