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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 88

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (18444. Sapr. J. J. Pinch. 10th Co. R.E.), pitting, very fine

James John Irvin Pinch was born at Turnchapel near Plymouth on 17 February 1865, the son of John and Mary Pinch of New Street Cottages, Plymouth. Attesting with the 11th Regimental District, Devonport on 14 January 1884 he was posted to the 12th Field Company, Royal Engineers on 19 January 1884 at Chatham. Serving with them for a year before he was ordered to the 10th (Railway) Company in February 1885 and ordered with them to Sudan the next month.

The Suakin Expedition in 1885 was intended partly to clear away Osman Digna's Mahdists from the rear of the Gordon Relief Expedition but also to aid in constructing a railway between the Red Sea and the Nile. The 10th was to be the only railway Company present as the actual construction had been contracted to Lucas and Aird. Unfortunately, their efforts came to nothing and the Royal Engineers who arrived at the start of April were forced to undertake the work.

They were required construct an armoured train to protect the town and improve the narrow-gauge line already in place around the town. With this work complete they began to build the standard-gauge line out of town but only made it 16 miles from Quarantine Island to Otao before the expedition was abandoned.

Returning to Britain in July 1885 Pinch was transferred to the 8th (Railway) Company in December. He returned to Sudan with them the next year being stationed at Wadi Halfa in January before being ordered to Malta by way of Cairo. Joining the 29th Company in September 1886 he was then posted to Simons Town, South Africa with them, transferring to Cape Town in 1887 Pinch deserted there in 1888; sold together with copied research comprising census data, records of pay and travel allowances as well as a medal roll.

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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£80