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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 105

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (803 Pte. H. Cole. 1/Rl. Berks: R:), pitting, edge wear to unit, nearly very fine

Harry Cole was born at Spring Road, Abingdon, Berkshire in 1865, the son of Henry and Ann Cole. Enlisting at Reading on 7 June 1883 he was posted to Egypt in October the next year and from thence to Sudan, with the Battalion arriving at Suakin in January 1885. They went into action for the first time at Hashin from which a Dervish force was threatening travel between the Red Sea and the Nile.

Intending a follow up advance on Tamaai, Graham sent a column under General McNeill to establish a supply base at Tofrek, there they came under attack by a strong Dervish Army. The British had begun the construction of a zariba fence, and half of the Battalion was ordered to occupy the south-western section. The rest were further north and east of the zariba outside the defences when suddenly a patrol of lancers came in reporting a large enemy force on their heels.

On cue a large Dervish force attacked from the desert and stampeded the transport animals grazing outside the zariba. In the confusion a number of them managed to overwhelm the defenders of the south-western redoubt, slaughtering the sailors manning the Gardiner guns. The men of the Berkshires withdrew to the north wall of the redoubt and opened fire, throwing the attackers back in confusion. To the East the other half of the Battalion formed a square and opened fire, halting the attackers as they attempted to push north. Unable to exploit their advantage the Dervishes were forced to withdraw.

Cole joined the Battalion at Wadi Halfa after the Battle and was still present when in December a Dervish force attempted to bypass the British army there and enter Egypt. The British sallied out to engage the enemy at Ginnis. The Mahdists 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.

Notably many of the British troops at the action, with the exception of the Durham Light Infantry, were wearing their red coats, the last time it is confirmed that a British unit did so in action. Cole was posted to Cyprus the next year on 1 June 1886 and later to Malta in February 1888, arriving home in April 1891 he joined the Army Reserve just four days later. He was discharged on 6 June 1895 and appears upon the 1901 census, living in Reading and working as a Signal Fitter for Great Western Railways; sold together with copied research including census data, service papers and medal rolls as well as an article entitled 'Battle of Tofrek granting of "Royal" title'.

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Sold for
£320

Starting price
£100