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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 89

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (41/1817. Pte. J. Wilson. 1/Bir[..] R.), heavy pitting, edge wear to naming and regiment, good fine

James Wilson was born at Leeds, Yorkshire in 1857 and attested at Bradford on 1 September 1879, being posted to the 49th Foot the next day; soon to be amalgamated with the 66th Foot to form the Berkshire Regiment. He was ordered with this unit to Egypt on 23 August 1882, landing at Ismailia as part of the Mounted Infantry, a formation made up of 70 men including 9 from the Berkshire Regiment.

Wilson was part of the force with seized the Egyptian Dam at El Magfar on 24 August and later the force which advanced on the second Dam at Tel-el-Mahuta and Mahsama the next day. With the capture of the Kassassin Lock the British position was secure enough for Wolsey to advance on Tel-el-Kebir although Wilson did not go with him.

Instead he remained in Egypt for the rest of the year, being posted to Sudan in January 1885 and joining the British expedition at Suakin. Ordered to the 2nd Battalion, Mounted Infantry, Wilson saw action with them in the action at Hasin on 20 March 1885. After the Suakin expedition was withdrawn from Sudan in September he was discharged to the Army Reserve, finally retiring from service altogether on 31 August 1891; sold together with service papers and pay records.

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Sold for
£95

Starting price
£70