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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 413

Three: Warrant Officer Class I F. A. Jarratt, 17th Company, Royal Engineers, who served in the Sudan whilst underage only to later die in service at Hong Kong in 1908

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (17513, Bugler, F. A. Jarratt. 17th Co. R.E.); Army L.S. and G.C., V.R. (17513 Q.M.Sgt. F. A. Jarratt, R.E.); Khedive's Star 1884, unnamed as issued, suspension re-pinned, light contact wear, overall very fine (3)

One of 176 such medals awarded to the 17th Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Frank Adolphus Jarratt was born at Wimbledon in 1866, the son of John and Emily Jarratt of Surrey House, Kingston Road, Wimbledon. Attesting as a Boy aged 15 with the Royal Engineers on 6 July 1882, he was appointed Bugler the next year on 15 January 1883 and ordered to Egypt the next day. Serving there for around six months he was ordered to Suakin with the 17th Field Company on 25 June 1884.

Here the Company found the port town all but under siege from Osman Digna's Dervishes, despite this they worked hard to prepare the port as a base for the Gordon Relief Expedition. It was here that Jarratt reached the age of eighteen in October 1884. The town was prepared as a base for a large expedition by March 1885 however it was not occupied by the force heading to Khartoum but rather the Suakin Expedition under General Graham.

The 17th Field Company along with 24th Field Company were present for the action at Hashin on 20 March 1885 when a Dervish force was defeated west of Suakin. Along with 'F' Company, Madras Sappers & Miners the Engineers constructed four redoubts and a zariba on the site of the action. Returning to England on 8 July that year he was appointed Sapper in September and joined the 12th Field Company before the end of the year.

Ordered to South Africa on 29 September 1886 he was advanced Sergeant (Engineer Clerk) on 7 May 1891. Returning to Britian in August 1882 Jarratt was further promoted Company Sergeant-Major on 7 May 1894 (Engineer Clerk) and Quartermaster Sergeant on 7 May 1897.

Posted to Gibraltar between 1897-1904 he was promoted Superintending Clerk on 16 April 1904. Later ordered to Hong Kong on 30 October 1907 he was not their long before he caught tuberculosis, dying there on 10 July 1908; sold together with copied census data, service papers and medal rolls.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£210