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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 81

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (1100 Pte. W. Batchelor. Rl. Berks: R.), nearly extremely fine

163 undated Egypt Medals without a bar were issued to the Regiment.

William Batchelor enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Berkshire Regiment on 21 June 1884 and served with them until 1885. Transferred to the 1st Battalion only a fortnight after the grant of the title 'Royal' Berkshire Regiment on 15 October 1885. They were stationed in Suakin at the time and were to take part in the Battle of Ginnis just two months later on 30 December 1885.

As the British withdrew from Sudan following the failure of the Khartoum Relief expedition the Dervishes advanced in their wake. A force of them attempted to bypass the British forces guarding the border under General Grenfell however these troops sallied to confront the Mahdists at Ginnis. Notably this was the last battle in which British troops are confirmed to have gone into action wearing red coats.

The Dervishes had occupied the town of Ginnis and constructed a camp on a hill nearby and as such the British formed into two Brigades. The Berkshires were with the first Brigade and had the job of taking the Dervish camp which they did handle, suffering losses of 3 killed and 16 wounded.

The British returned to their guard of the border and the Dervishes withdrew to consolidate their rule of Sudan. Unfortunately for Batchelor the lack of action did not make the posting substantially less dangerous as the severe conditions aided the spread of disease. He came down with enteric fever at Wadi Halfa not long after the battle of Ginnis and died there on 13 January 1886; sold together with copied medal rolls and pay lists.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£110