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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 823

Egypt 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. H. Searle. Caulk; Mte H.M.S. "Alexandra"), a slightly later issue, pitting, nearly very fine

William Henry Searle was born at Stoke Dameral, Devon on 2 January 1961. He served aboard a number of vessels including Alexandra where he was promoted to Caulker's Mate.

On 11 July 1882 the Alexandra was involved in the bombardment of Alexandria by a British Squadron led by Admiral Seymour. An uprising led by Ahmed 'Urabi against the Khedive Tewfik Pasha was seen as a threat to Anglo-French interests in the country and a joint expedition was prepared and sent to Egypt. The gathering of the European Fleet exacerbated tension causing riots throughout the city. Admiral Seymour issued an ultimatum that 'Urabi's forces cease fortifying the City and when this was not met on 11 July the fleet opened fire. The Alexandra herself fought a stiff battle with the gun batteries of the Ras El Tin Fort but silenced them by midday. By the 14 July the British were sending landing parties ashore, this action was the prelude to the Anglo-Egyptian War 1882 which culminated in the Battle of Tel el Kebir on the 13 September of that year.

Searle continued to serve with the Royal Navy until August 1914 when he was declared medically unfit; sold with copied Service Record.


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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£80