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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 245

Pair: Sergeant J. Rhodes, 1st Battalion, Royal Highlanders, late 1st Battalion, 22nd Foot and 79th Foot

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 5 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Kirbekan (1252 Sergt J. Rhodes. 1/R. Hrs.); Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued, heavy contact wear to first, overall nearly very fine (2)

13 officers and 212 other ranks of the Royal Highlanders were awarded 5 clasp medals for Egypt.

Josiah Rhodes was born at Saint George, Stafford in 1856, the son of Josiah Rhodes. Working as a collier he was also serving with the 3rd Stafford Militia prior to enlisting at Chester on 2 July 1875 with 18th Brigade. Posted to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Foot at first military life does not seem to have agreed with Rhodes, causing him to desert only a few months later on 11 October 1875. Remaining on the run for over a year Rhodes finally re-joined on 13 January 1877. Imprisoned for 84 days he was released on 19 March and served with the regiment until being transferred to the 79th Foot on 1 September 1877.

Posted to Malta on 18 December 1877 with 42nd Foot he served there until 17 July 1878 when the 42nd travelled to Cyprus as part of the 1878 Cyprus Convention which gifted the Island to the British. Remaining here until 18 November of that year Rhodes was posted to Gibraltar where the regiment was garrisoned until 20 March 1879. Finally returning home after over a year he was to see home service for several years being appointed Lance-Corporal on 4 June 1980 and promoted Corporal less than a month later on 24 June. Further advanced Lance-Sergeant the next year on 24 April 1881 and finally Sergeant on 16 September the same year.

Arriving in Egypt on 8 August 1882 as part of Sir Garnet Wolsey's Expeditionary Force. Participating in the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir the Battalion formed part of the heavily engaged Highland Brigade overrunning the Egyptian Defences at bayonet point in the early hours of 13 September after an exhaustive night march. Remaining in the country Rhodes formed part of the British force which landed at Trinkitat to confront Osman Dinga's army around Suakin. Here they fought in the bloody battles of El-Teb and Tamai. In the later engagement it was the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) whose sally left the British Square broken and open to attack. Despite this apparent disaster the Battalion fought their way back through the Sudanese army in savage hand-to-hand fighting and managed to retake their position, clearing the formation of enemy warriors and plugging the gap.

Joining Wolsey's Nile Expedition Rhodes joined the advance into the Sudan but was not one of those in the Desert Column which forged ahead of the advance through the battles of Abu Klea and Abu Kru. When Khartoum fell and the Expedition withdrew to Egypt Rhodes joined the small army under General Earle which stormed the Heights of Kirbekan and, despite General Earle's death, drove out a much larger Sudanese force. Noted as awaiting trial on 30 December 1885 it seems that Rhodes had been unable to leave his disciplinary problems behind. Leaving Egypt on 4 January 1986 after over 3 years of service he returned to Britain for his trail which took place on 6 January. Married in Perth to Elizabeth Batton on 29 April 1886 but continuing in his service; he was promoted to Garrison Sergeant on 13 September 1886. Rhodes began to suffer from mental stress referred to in his medical records as 'Mania' for which he served a month in Hospital from 27 April-27 May 1889. The lack of understanding around mental issues were apparent in these records which state of his illness cause obscure but connected with mental worry', it is entirely possible that he was affected by the severe fighting he witnessed in Egypt.

Finally discharged on 11 October 1889; sold together with copied service records.


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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£750