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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 378

Pair: Private W. Hollingshead, 19th Hussars

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 5 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (2008. Pte W. Hollingshead. 19th Hussars.); Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued, some contact wear from Star, otherwise overall very fine (2)

One of 135 Abu Klea bars to the regiment.

William Hollingshead, also spelled "Hollinshead" on some documentation, was born circa 1835 in Liverpool and attested with the 19th Hussars at Dublin in May 1879 after working as a clerk. He was posted to Egypt along with his regiment on 9 August 1882 and there participated in the Egypt, Sudan, and Nile campaigns, as well as in what Winston Churchill called "The most savage and bloody action ever fought in the Sudan by British troops….". Hollingshead fought alongside his regiment at the Battle of Abu Klea on 17 January 1885, where the 19th Hussars were the only cavalry regiment to be mounted on horses rather than on camels. During the battle, the main body of the 19th was positioned to the left of the square formation with a smaller detachment to the right. The Dervishes eventually broke the square but the battle still ended with a British victory.

Hollingshead transferred to the army reserve after his return to England in June 1886, with his conduct cited as being "very good" upon his transfer. He was discharged at Canterbury on 2 June 1891 following the termination of his first period of limited engagement. Hollingshead's entitlement to these medals and clasps is documented in his discharge records; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£320