Lot 2371

Description

Pair: Egypt Medal (undated) - clasp - Suakin 1885; Khedive's Star 1884-6. 224, Pte C.G.Mackenzie, N.S.W.Infy on first medal, second medal unnamed as issued. Engraved. Dark tone, otherwise extremely fine.

Together with, 1) Sydney Lord Mayor's Soudan medal, obverse engraved 'Presented to C.G.Mackenzie' at top and 'B Co. N.S.W. Contingent' at bottom, reverse centre with engraved monogram 'CGM' and back of suspension device engraved 'TAMAI'. 2) NSW Volunteer Rifle Corps (1860-78) pill box cap badge or pouch badge in brass (36mm). 3) Hand-made leather purse, under flap printed 'C.G.Mackenzie/Suakin - May 15th/1885.' Clarence Gilbert Mackenzie, born 11Sep1860 at West Maitland, NSW; Enl.19Feb1885, age 24, Land Surveyor; Emb.03Mar1885 SS Iberia; RTA 23Jan1885 SS Arab; Died 1948 at Sydney. Following the advance on Tamai, Lieutenant General Sir Gerald Graham, Commander of the Suakin Field Force spoke to the troops and praised the Australians proclaiming that they had met all expectations displaying great spirit and dash where necessary, combined with the most admirable steadiness. He sent a despatch to the Secretary of War on 4 April 1885 as follows, 'The Australian Contingent have cheerfully borne their share of our hardships and showed themselves worthy comrades in arms. I regret that they have had two men wounded.' On the same day, Colonel J.S.Richardson, Commander of the New South Wales Contingent sent a cable to the New South Wales Government in which he reported, 'After sixteen hours under arms we arrived within two miles of Tamai at 6 on Thursday night, and formed a square, the Arabs firing during the night on the camp. Advanced next morning in large square to take the wells of Tamai, but the Arabs met the advance with desultory firing at long range. The wells were found to be dry. As the Arabs would not be drawn out, we retired to Suakim (sic), where we have just arrived, and are now on the line of railway with the Guards Brigade, two miles from town. Have not had a moment to spare since landing. General Graham is pleased with the men, and all is going on well.' With research.