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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 341

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

Three: Lieutenant-Colonel G. Harden, Royal Sussex Regiment, who commanded 'B' Company at the Battle of Abu Klea

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Capt. G. Harden. 1st Bn. Rl. Suss: Regt.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1888 (Major G. Harden 2d Bn R. Suss. R.); Khedive's Star, dated 1882, mounted cavalry-style as worn, very fine (3)

George Harden was born on 2 February 1851 and was first commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot on 30 December 1871, being promoted Lieutenant the same day. Advanced Captain in February 1881, Harden served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt as part of General Garnet Wolseley's expedition to crush the Urabi Revolt and conquer Egypt in the name of the Khedive. His Medal was presented to him by Queen Victoria on 21 November 1882.

Promoted Major on 6 August 1884, the 1st Battalion later formed part of the Nile Expedition, an unsuccessful attempt to save General Charles Gordon and his garrison at Khartoum during the Mahdist War. Twenty men of the regiment, led by Lieutenant L. Trafford constituted the advanced party which marched towards Khartoum. The Battalion then took part in the Battle of Abu Klea in January 1885 when Muhammad Ahmad was defeated. Harden transferred to the 2nd Battalion and the Battalion moved to India in 1885 and took part in the Hazara Expedition of 1888 serving under Lieutenant Colonel M. S. J. Sunderland and Lieutenant Colonel E. Wardroper. His contemporary Major F. H. Thorndike died from exposure at Rawalpindi in November 1888. Harden was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 March 1896, retired in May 1896 and died on 14 September 1918. He is buried in St Peter's Churchyard, Frimley, Surrey.

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Estimate
£1,500 to £2,000

Starting price
£1100