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Auction: 24001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 257

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 3 clasps, El-Teb_Tamaai, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (35452, Gunr. F. Galvin, 6/1st Sco:Div: R.A.), pitting, light edge bruising, very fine

Provenance:
D.N.W. July 2001.

The Tofrek clasp was awarded to 44 officers and men of the 6/1st Scottish Division, Royal Artillery.

Francis Galvin was born at St. Lukes Parish, London in September 1860, the son of Michael and Catherine Galvin of 43 Seward Street. Attesting at Woolwich on 31 October 1882, he listed previous experience with the 2/1 Middlesex (Volunteers) and was posted to the Scottish Division, Royal Artillery. Posted to Egypt in December 1883 Galvin joined 6 Battery, 1 Brigade, Scottish Division at Cairo.

This unit joined the British expedition at Suakin the next month and were present for the Battle of El-Teb where they comprised one of the two batteries in General Graham's square. When the British attack began they ran the guns out of the square and opened a fire upon the Mahdists. During the Battle of Tamaai they were with General Buller's unbroken square from which they fired at the Dervishes attack Davis' square.

Returning to Egypt Galvin was not long away from Suakin before he was posted back for service with General Graham's forces in the Sudan. He disembarked on 16 March 1885, as part of a small detachment from 6/1 Battery, ordered to join General McNeill's troops marching to Tofrek. Here there were to form an ammunition supply column and as such were in the British Zariba when the Dervish charge broke it. The unit suffered 1 officer killed and 4 other ranks wounded during the confused and bitter fighting.

Galvin continued to serve with the Royal Artillery after the battle, being advanced Bombardier on 1 April 1887 and posted to India in September. Promoted Corporal on 24 November of that year he served until November 1889 when he joined the Army Reserve. Returning to Britain he settled at 41 Cavendish Street, Hoxton, New Town but died not long afterwards of tuberculosis on 19 January 1892; sold together with copied research comprising medal rolls and census data as well as handwritten research.


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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£250