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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 394

Pair: Private J. Kelly, Royal Marines

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb (J. Kelly, Pte R.M.); Khedive's Star 1884, unnamed as issued, pitting, edge bruising, very nearly very fine (2)

Joseph Kelly was born at Douglas, Isle of Man in 1863, the son of William and Sarah Kelly of St. Johns, Isle of Man. Enlisting with the Royal Marines at Plymouth on 26 June 1882 he joined the Marine compliment aboard Superb the next year and was still with her in February 1884 when he was seconded to the Royal Marine Battalion for service in Sudan.

Present for the Battle of El-Teb on 29 February the Royal Marine Battalion, including Kelly, were at the front of the British Square which received the Dervish charge. Driving their enemy back with rifle and gardiner gun fire they advanced on the Mahdist camp and stormed it. Kelly was not present with the Royal Marine Battalion the next month when they attacked and captured Osman Digna's base at Tamaai.

He returned to Superb in April 1884, remaining with her until 1887 when he travelled with Seahorse to Scotland and fetched up at Indus, then guardship at Devonport in 1888. Kelly later saw service with Impregnable, Cambridge and Lion, being discharged from that last in March 1901; sold together with copied research including census data, medal rolls and service papers.

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Sold for
£290

Starting price
£200