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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 92

Pair: Gunner's Mate W. S. Cullingford, Royal Navy, who served aboard both Alexandra and Sphinx

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 4 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, Suakin 1885 (W. S. Cullingford. Gunrs. Mte. H.M.S. "Alexandra"); Khedive's Star 1882, minor pitting, very fine and rare (2)

One of only 11 Suakin 1884 clasps to Sphinx, making this quite possibly a unique combination..

William Samuel Cullingford was born at Hempnal, Norfolk on 10 January 1851 and joined the Royal Navy on 1 January 1873 with the service number 55447. Posted first to Revenge and later Monarch, he was promoted Petty Officer Class II aboard the latter in 1876 and finally Petty Officer Class I with Warrior in 1878. Going ashore in December he was appointed Gunner's Mate with Excellent before joining Inconstant in that role and transferring to Alexandra.

With this vessel he took part in the Bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July 1882 where Alexandra targeted the defences around Ras Al Tin. She took a number of hits from the Lighthouse Fort but with the arrival of Inflexible they were able to reduce the Egyptian fortifications and silence their guns.

Posted to the paddle steamer Sphinx on 10 October 1883, she was sent to the Red Sea in 1884 where 11 members of the crew were awarded the Suakin clasp for service ashore. Cullingford was posted to the Royal Naval Brigade which took part in the twin battles of El-Teb and Tamaai, there they manned the artillery and Gardiner guns at the square's angles. One Naval Brigade member, Captain Arthur Wilson, was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Battle of El-Teb, confronting several Mahdists with a broken sword.

During the later Battle of Tamaai, the British square was broken and several of the gatling and gardiner guns were taken and their crews driven off or killed. Cullingford survived the fighting and served at Suakin again the next year in 1885, he remained with Sphinx until 19 March 1887 when he was discharged at his own request.


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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£320