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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 120

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1883, Tofrek (41/1663. Pte. W. Clarke. 1/Berks:R.), heavy pitting and contact wear, nearly very fine

William Clarke, was the alias used by Elisha Hamblin, born at Britton, Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1858 he joined the Militia before attesting with the 41st Brigade and joined the Gibraltar garrison on 8 March 1881. Posted to the Royal Berkshire Regiment Clarke on 1 July of that year he remained there for over a year before joining the British Army in Egypt.

Seeing no active service in his first visit to the country Clarke went on to spend time in on Home Service and later at Gibraltar. Returning to Egypt on 21 August 1884 as part of the Army assembled to undertake the Second Suakin expedition to clear the forces of Mahdist General Osman Dinga from the region of Suakin, in advance of the construction of the Suakin-Berber railway. During this operation they fought a major battle against Digna’s army at Tofrek on 22 March 1885. Here half a Battalion of the Berkshires held the southern redoubt against a ferocious attack, seeing heavy hand-to-hand fighting but eventually managing to drive the Mahdists out.

Returning to Britain Clarke saw further Home Service from 15 July 1885, transferring to the Army Reserve in September of that year. He finally let the army on 30 May 1891 at Reading with his character described at ‘good’.

Further entitled to the Khedive's Star.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£100