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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 96

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb_Tamaai (1054, Pte. W. Sanderson, 2/R. Ir: Fusrs.), minor pitting and light contact wear overall, very fine

William Sanderson was born at St. Margarets, Leicester in January 1847 and attested with the 89th Foot at Leicester on 15 December 1866, listing previous experience with the Leicester Militia. Posted with his unit to India he served there for 8 years, returning to Britian in March 1878, marrying at Armagh, Ireland the next year.

Returning to India in December 1879 Sanderson served there for over four more years, being promoted Corporal there in December 1883. His Battalion was part of the force aboard the troopship Jumna which was returning from India in 1884 when it was diverted to take part in the 1884 Suakin campaign.

Part of the column under General Graham, the unit took part in the Battle of El-Teb on 29 February, advancing against the Dervishes in a single square formation and halting their charge with steady volley fire. The Royal Irish Fusiliers were at the rear of the column during this action.

The British advanced on the Mahdist base at Tamaai the next month and engaged Osman Digna on 13 March. Advancing in two squares the Royal Irish Fusiliers formed part of General Davis' formation and found themselves in a precarious situation when a miscommunicated manoeuvre saw a gap open. The Dervishes took full advantage of this and poured into the space, they hit the Black Watch and Yorks & Lancs particularly hard however the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the front and left of the square were also closely engaged. They were fortunate to suffer losses of only five wounded.

Sanderson boarded Jumna again on 30 March 1884 and returned to Britain, he was discharged at Aldershot on 20 December 1887; sold together with copied research including service papers and medal rolls.

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Sold for
£140

Starting price
£140