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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 67

(x) Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 5 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Kirbekan (1016 Pte. D. Stoddart, 1/R. Hrs.), minor pitting and contact wear, overall very fine

David Stoddart was born at Larbert, Stirling in 1861 and had been a moulder before he enlisted with the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) at Edinburgh on 30 January 1882. He was posted to Egypt alongside the rest of the Highland Brigade which was stationed at the front of the Second Division and the Gordons found themselves at the centre. The British attacked early in the morning of 13 September after a night march through the desert. They achieved total surprise and stormed the Egyptian positions frontally at the point of a bayonet. Despite the surprise their opponents were still well trained and equipped and the British did not have everything their own way with 339 casualties of which 243 were from the Highland Brigade.

They were later posted to Sudan as part of General Graham's expedition and took part in the twin battles of El-Teb and Tamaai. In the latter action they formed part of the Second Brigade, the square that broke where they found themselves engaged in savage hand to hand finding. The next year they took part in the Nile expedition and saw further action at the Battle of Kirbekan, driving the Mahdist's from the heights by the Nile River.

Stoddart left Egypt on 30 April 1886 and was posted to Malta where the Battalion formed part of the garrison until August 1889. A brief tour of Gibraltar from August 1889 - 9 November 1889 saw him return to Britian and just a week later he joined the Army Reserve on 17 November 1889. Stoddart was discharged on 29 January 1894.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£550