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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 106

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (41/1559. Pte. T. Allen, 1/Berks. R.), pitting, nearly very fine

Thomas Allen was born at 16 Little Cannon Street, Birmingham on 17 January 1857 the son of John and Charlotte Allen. Attesting on 16 January 1879 with the 49th Foot he transferred to the 66th Foot on 7 March and confessed to deserting from the 21st Hussars as he did so. Posted to India the same day he was present with the Regiment on the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Afghan war and marched with them to Khandahar in March 1880.

Allen was not present for either the Battles of Maiwand or Khandahar, being sick at Quetta at the time and as such is only entitled to a no clasp campaign medal. Returning from India in 1881 he joined the newly amalgamated Berkshire Regiment, initially with the 2nd Battalion before being sent to reinforce the 1st Battalion on 10 October.

Ordered to Egypt in July 1882 as part of General Wolseley's army, the Regiment was posted to General Sir Evelyn Wood's Brigade at Kafr-ed-Daur. Here they screened the British beachhead at Alexandria from Egyptian troops and engaged them on several occasions in August 1882. Briefly being posted to Gibraltar they were later to returned to Egypt and from thence to Suakin in 1885.

Intending to 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 Devish Army. The British began to construct 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.

Allen survived unharmed and returned to Britain in September 1885 where he served for several years before being discharged on 15 January 1891. His character at this stage was described as 'Bad (addicted to drink)'; sold together with copied service papers and birth certificate.

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Sold for
£230

Starting price
£110