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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 629

Pair: Private T. Green, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (109 Pte. T. Green. 1/Rl. Berks: R:); Khedive's Star 1884-6, reverse regimentally impressed 'Berks 109', light pitting from Star, very fine (2)

Provenance: Spink, 1987.

Thomas Green was born on 6 December 1877 at Newbury, Berkshire. Following service in the militia, he joined the Berkshire Regiment at Reading, passing his final medical examination on 5 December 1881.

He served in Egypt from 21 August 1884 with the 1st Battalion and was heavily engaged in the Soudan Campaign. On 20 March 1885 the Regiment fought at Hasheen, and two days later, whilst engaged in making a zariba (a defensive thorn fence), the force under General McNeill was suddenly attacked by the full strength of the enemy:

'Hidden by the long grass, the Arabs, with spear and sword, rushed into the midst of the British Force stabbing and cutting as they went.'

The Berkshire men threw themselves into a detached square and before their fire the Arabs were forced to fly. For their action on this day, Queen Victoria bestowed to the Regiment the title of 'Royal' and in consequence, the facings of the Regiment became royal blue with 'Suakin' and 'Tofrek' added to the colours.

Transferred to Cyprus on 31 May 1886, and later Malta, Green was appointed Bandsman and was later discharged a Private on 5 December 1883; sold with copied service record and private research.

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Sold for
£400