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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 406

The campaign pair awarded to Captain F. A. Barton, 7th (The Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards, who shared in the famed 'Moonlight Charge' by the Household Cavalry at Kassasin

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Lieut: F. A. Barton, 7/Dn. Gds.); Khedive's Star 1882, a little pitting, very fine (2)

Francis Alexander Barton was born at San Miguel Arcangel, Mexico on 26 June 1860, the son of James Barton, a shipping agent. Young Barton was commissioned into the West Kent Militia in January 1879 and thence as Cornet into the 7th Dragoon Guards in July 1880. He was advanced Lieutenant on 22 December 1880.

On 10 September 1882 an Egyptian army led by Ahmed Urabi attacked the British troops at Kassassin in order to recapture the Suez Canal, which had been seized by the British. The outcome of the battle was in the balance until the arrival of British reinforcements just as darkness began to fall. The Household Cavalry composite regiment charged the Egyptian infantry, headlong into the rifle fire, who soon abandoned their guns.

The composite Regiment consisted of a Squadron from each of the 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards and 7th Dragoon Guards with four guns of the Royal Horse Artillery. The event was immortalised by G. W. Bacon.

Barton himself was advanced Captain in March 1887 and resigned his commission in January 1888. His time with the Militia was not complete however, as he rose to become a Captain in the Royal North Devon Hussars by November 1892. Living at Little Silver, High Bickington, the good Captain died in June 1936.

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Sold for
£290

Starting price
£210