Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 628

(x) Pair: Bombardier F. C. R. Sayer, New South Wales Artillery

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (1065. Bomb: F. C. R. Sayer, N.S.W. Arty:); Khedive's Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, very fine (2)

One of 205 'Suakin 1885' clasps awarded to the New South Wales Artillery.

Frederick Charles Robert Sayer was born in Kensington in 1859, the eldest son of Captain Frederick Sayer, Royal Welch Fusiliers (see Lot 368) and Maria Sayer, daughter of Colonel the Hon. Charles Beaumont Phipps, Keeper of the Queen's Privy Purse. Emigrating to New South Wales, he enlisted as a Bombardier into the New South Wales Artillery on 28 September 1883, with the Regimental No. 1065. He served during the Egypt campaign of 1882-85, the first occasion on which Australian units were sent overseas to fight alongside Imperial troops. In total 720 Australians qualified for the 'Suakin 1885' clasp. Sayer returned to Australia aboard S.S. Arab on 23 June 1885; sold with copied roll confirmation and a bibliography to aid further research.

Recommended reading:

Stanley, P., ed. But little glory: the New South Wales Contingent to the Sudan, 1885 (Canberra, 1985).

See Lot 368 for the medals awarded to Sayer's father, Captain Frederick Sayer, Royal Welch Fusiliers, wounded in the ankle at the Battle of the Alma.

See Lot 613 for the medals awarded to Sayer's uncle, Lieutenant-General James Robert Steadman Sayer, 1st Dragoon Guards, who led his Regiment with distinction in the Second China War.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200