Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 454

A superb Egypt 1885 D.C.M. group of five awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major B. Turner, 10th Hussars, later Honorary Captain and Riding Master, 6th Dragoon Guards, for gallantry whilst attached to the Light Camel Regiment at Abu Klea, 16 February 1885; his D.C.M. was personally presented by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (1389. R. Sgt. Maj: B. Turner. 10th Hussars. 16th Feb. 1885.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1389. Lce.. Corpl. B.Turner. 10th Rl Hussars.); Egypt 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (1389, R.S.Maj: B.Turner, 10th Husrs); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt: Ridg: Mr: B.Turner, 6/Drgn: Gds:), date clasps both tailor’s copies; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, mounted cavalry-style as worn, light contact marks to second and third, otherwise good very fine (5)

D.C.M. awarded for action at Abu Klea, 16 February 1885. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 25 August 1885, details appearing in The Times 26 November 1885:

‘Troop Sergeant Major B. Turner, 10th Hussars - At all times showed the most remarkable coolness and zeal in his responsible position (Regimental Sergeant Major), and during the night of the 16th of February at Abu Klea was continually under fire.’

Therefore this D.C.M. was won for gallantry at Abu Klea but not during the Battle of Abu Klea which took place on 17 January 1885. After the battle, the main body of troops marched on to Metammeh and the Nile River with intermittent fighting all along the 25-mile trek. After General Gordon was killed on the 26 January, before any of the relief column had reached him at Khartoum, the Government decided to withdraw all troops from the Sudan. It was a fighting withdrawal and a six-day stop was made at Abu Klea. It was during the sporadic attacks made by the Arabs on the night of 16 February during which Turner was under continual fire that his gallantry was recognized.

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 August 1885.

Benjamin Turner was born in 1857 at Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. He served at the Koorum and Kost Expeditions and was involved with reconnaissance of Peiwar Kotal as well as the action of Matun and the action of Futtehabad. Serving with the Light Camel Corps he was involved with the attack on the convoy on 14 February 1885 and action at Abu Klea two days later, he was additionally 'mentioned'. He was commissioned into the 6th Dragoon Guards on the 29 July 1891 and served with them throughout the Boer War with operations in Cape Colony April-June 1901, operations in the Transvaal April-May 1901 and again from November 1901-31 May 1902, during the operations in the Orange River Colony from June-November 1901. The Medal roll for the King's South Africa records him as Adjutant Base Depot, Imperial Yeomanry, Elandsfontein.Turner rose to the rank of Captain and Riding Masterand having retired to Margate in 1903, died there on 2 February 1944; sold together assorted copied research including an entry from The Times, dated 26 November 1885 confirming the presentation of the D.C.M. by The Queen at Windsor, and a photograph showing Colonel Porter and Officers of 6th Dragoon Guards who had left Shorncliffe, Kent for the Boer War.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£4,200

Starting price
£3200