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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 66

An Abu Klea casualty's Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private E. Sergeant, 5th Dragoon Guards, who was killed while serving with the Heavy Camel Corps Regiment during the Nile Expedition

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (1787. Pte. E. Sargeant. 5th Dgn. Gds.), very light contact marks, very fine

One of 6 men of the Regiment to be killed at Abu Klea.

E. Sargeant joined the Heavy Camel Regiment, formed to range ahead of the British Nile Expedition in an attempt to reach Khartoum before the city fell. Under the command of General Sir Herbert Stewert this Desert Column advanced from Korti towards Gubat, past the Jakdul wells. Having resupplied there they moved towards the vital wells at Abu Klea only to find themselves confronted by the Dervish Army which blocked the route.

The British had no choice but to advance, forming a square dismounted they moved towards the well in the face of Dervish sniping while their enemy prepared to attack. Heavy fire from a gully on the British left forced Stewart to send out skirmishers from the Heavy Camel Regiment which in turn provoked a charge by a large force of Mahdists.

Unable to fire until the skirmishers were back in the formation the Dervishes were able to get close to the square before being halted by heavy fire. Forced obliquely down the front of the formation they cannoned into the open corner of the Square, taking the Gardner gun and hammering into the Heavy Camel Regiment. At this moment Frederick Burnaby was killed in the fighting and the men of the Heavy Regiment, unused to long infantry rifles found themselves in a bloody melee with the Dervishes.

The 5th Dragoon Guards were one of the formations which was driven into the square by the charge. Fortunately the camels in their centre impeded the Mahdist attack allowing the rear ranks to turn about and open fire, driving them from the square. The 19th Hussars seized the wells and the Square reformed and advanced. Sargeant was killed in action during the fighting and his body was likely taken to the wells atop the camels like the other casualties; sold together with a copied newspaper article and medal roll.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£1000