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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 409

Pair: Bandsman M. Cullen, Royal Irish Regiment

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (1872. *** M. Cullen. 2/R. **: R.); Khedive's Star 1882, reverse centre impressed 'RIR' to left of monogram and '69B, 1872' to right, rank on Egypt and Sudan Medal scratched out, regiment partially obscured due to contact wear, edge knock, heavy contact marks from Star, good fine; Khedive's Star very fine (2)

Michael Cullen was born circa 1860 at Emo, Queens in Ireland and made his living as a farm labourer until his enlistment. He enlisted with the 69th Brigade, Royal Irish Regiment at the Curragh in Kildare on 18 June 1878 when he was 18 years of age. From the Curragh he was forwarded to Dublin two months later and then across the Irish Sea to Aldershot in 1879. That same year, Cullen was appointed Lance Corporal in February but reduced back to Private in June.

Cullen was appointed Bandsman on 29 July 1882, just a few weeks prior to his being stationed in Egypt where he arrived with his unit on 11 August 1882. During their brief period of service in the Egyptian Campaign, they quickly saw action at the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir on 13 September. Despite his enlistment papers reflecting his rank as Bandsman at this time, he is listed on the medal roll as a Private. One wonders if the scratched-out rank on his Egypt and Sudan Medal was done by Cullen himself, reflective of his displeasure his medal not being issued in the proper rank.

He seems to have continued to serve as a Bandsman, being posted to Malta direct from Egypt on 19 February 1883. They stayed in Malta for but a few months ahead of their return to Aldershot on 28 May 1883, being stationed once again in Malta in early 1884. Cullen next returned home on 9 October 1884, at which time he transferred to the Army Reserve for several months before rejoining for army service on 4 May 1885. No more overseas postings followed, and he spent the remainder of his service at home before his discharge in June 1890; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£150

Starting price
£70