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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 102

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (16671. Sapr. J. Nelson. 24th Co. R.E.), nearly extremely fine

Provenance:
Baldwins April 2003.

James Nelson was born at New Cross near Manchester in September 1856 and enlisted with the Royal Engineers on 17 August 1880 while serving with the Royal London Militia. He was noted upon his attestation form as having previously been apprenticed to Messers Hetherington, Manchester, a role he undertook for 4 years. Ordered to St. Helena with No, 24 Company in May 1882 he served there for four years before being posted to Gibraltar where he was still serving in February 1885.

Ordered to Egypt and thence to Sudan the next month Nelson arrived at Suakin on 8 March 1885. No. 24 Company was part of the column under General McNeill ordered to Tofrek to construct a supply station for the British advance on Tamaai. Here the Company was supervising the construction of the defensive zariba when a Mahdist army attacked, as a result they were largely outside the defences cutting brush for the fence.

A good many of them likely took shelter in the defensive square formed by half of the Berkshire Regiment to the East of the main British position. The swift and steady response of the Berkshires and the Royal Marines saved the situation for the British and they repelled the enemy with heavy losses.

Nelson continued to serve in Sudan until May when he was invalided back to Britain with Pneumonia, being treated at Netley Hospital until August. Leaving the hospital, he was discharged on 22 December due to chronic pneumonia contracted during the Suakin expedition. His intended place of residence was listed as 3 Wood Street, Old Brompton, Kent; sold together with copied research comprising medal roll and service papers.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£140