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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 401

Pair: Private H. Smith, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (1060 Pte. H. Smith 1/Rl. Berks: R:); Khedive's Star 1884-6 (Berks 1060), pitting, edge wear to number and heavy wear to unit, nearly very fine (2)

Provenance:
D.N.W. June 2009.
Glendining May 1965, ex Phillips Collection.

Harry Smith was born at Aldershot in 1867 and enlisted at Maidenhead on 14 April 1884, noting previous service with the Berkshire Volunteers. Posted to the 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment in June 1884, he joined them in Egypt from 7 October 1884 and from thence Sudan on 30 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 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.

The Regiment had heavy losses with 23 men killed and 29 wounded, but Smith was not amongst them. He did however find himself in hospital soon after, suffering from debility he entered the Auxiliary Hospital at Suakin on 18 May 1885. From there he was transferred back to England, arriving at Netley Hospital on 9 June 1885 and discharged the next month.

Ordered to Malta in December 1886, Smith remained there until April 1892 when he was posted to the Army Reserve. Settling at Wokingham he took up work as a railway porter, being discharged from the reserve in 1896 he was living at Ash, Surrey and working as a carpenter journeyman; sold together with copied research comprising service papers, medal rolls and census data as well as an old auction listing.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£140