Vanuatu Blue

Hi Owain, thanks for the congrats, I am vey happy and got it at a very good price also. Yes would be nice to get an Military Star of King Fouad, especially in a group. Cheers Brian.

Well almost five years later have at last got an example of this medal for my collection phew !!! that took a while, but very happy ATB Brian.

SUDAN DEFENCE FORCE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, The Sudan Defence Force General Service Medal was instituted on 4 November 1933, for award to personnel of the Sudan Defence Force (SDF) and Police, on the recommendation of the Kaid El’Amm for service in the field on minor campaigns in the Sudan, post 1933. A silver medal, the obverse bearing the cypher of the Governor General of the Sudan, and reverse, a stationary group of typical Sudanese soldiers, and below them, “The Sudan” in Arabic. The ribbon is a royal blue central stripe, edged by two yellow, then two black stripes. No clasps were to be awarded. (The medal was also awarded for action against Italian forces in certain areas of the Sudan from June 1940 to November 1941). (8950 Medals struck by the Royal Mint). Another link with info on the 1933 series of medals: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/45943-sudan-governor-generals-service-medals/?hl=%2Bsudan+%2Bgovernor+%2Bgeneral Cheers, Brian

Nice one Paul, great story

Harry, Mark and Mackinlay, Further to all of the above, have done a little homework, here is what I have found !!! Very interesting !!! Recommendations Yuzbashi Bilal Effendi Rizk, Western Arab Corps Who after Mr McNeill and Captain Chown had been killed by his pluck, resource and leadership averted what would have been a great disaster and retrieved the position. His march from Fasher to Nyala a distance of 120 miles in under 50 hours is alone worthy of recognition. I recommend Yuzbashi Bilal Effeb=ndi Rizk for the Distinguised Service order. Mulizam Awal Hassan Effendi Mohamed Zein, Native District Officer. Who rendered the greatest assistance to Mr McNeill in the earlier stages of the fight and after the death of the later, so gallantly supported Yuzbashi Bilal Effendi Rizk in the counter attack. He displayed the greatest courage throughout and by his fine example to his Police encouraged them to emulate dogged spirit of the troops. I recommend him for the Distinguised Service Order. Mulizam Awal Saad Omar, Western Arab Corps. Who was in command of the detached post in the market and though attacked by a party of rebel Arabs who were bent on looting the shops kept his men well in hand and carried out the roll assigned to him in a most praiseworthy manner. Had it not been for his coolness and good judgment in the early stages of the fight, in keeping his small force intact, it would not have been possible for Yuzbashi Bilal Effendi Rizk to launch his successful counter attack which was such an outstanding feature of the engagement. He afterwards showed great coolness in the final defence of the Fort. I recommend him for the Military Cross. Letter from High Commissioner Residency Cairo, 15th March 1922. Sir, with reference to Sir Lee Stack's Despatch No. MS/B14/185 of 30th November last transmitting certain decorations and awards in connection with the Nyala rising in September last, I have the honour to inform you that a telegram has been received from the Foreign office stating that H.M. The King has been pleased to approve the awards proposed in the case of three Egyptian Officers mentioned Viz: DSO El Yuzbashi Belal Effendi Rizk El Mulizam Awal Hassan Effendi Mohamed Zein MC El Mulazim Awal Saad Effendi Omar Etc Etc Your Obedient Servent. High Commissioner Cairo, Egypt. and further Letter from the Foreign office S.W.1 April 26th 1922 to The Governor General Sudan. Sir with reference to my despatch No 282 of the 15th ultimo, I transmit to you herewith two badges of the Distinguished Service Order which the King has been graciously pleased to confer upon Yuzbashi Bilal Effendi Rizk and Mulizam Awal Hassan Effendi Mohamed Zein together with the Military Cross awarded to Mulazim Awal Saad Omar. In accordance with His Majesty's commands, I request that you will take such steps as you may consider proper to ensure the delivery of these of these decorations to the officers respectively concerned. His majesty desires that they should, if possible, be personally delivered not by way of investiture but in an Official and ceremonial manner. Letter from headquarters Khartoum to High Commissioner Egypt. dated 4th June 1922 I beg to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No 161,M (13795/45) dated 27th ultimo, together with the two badges of the Distinguished Service Order and also Military Cross therewith. These Decorations are being forwarded to the Officer Commanding Darfur District where the officers in question are at present serving with full instructions to the presentation of same.

Well done Will, a very nice medal, another one I am still missing. Regards, Brian.

Will, see earlier post on the subject, Regards, Brian. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/46479-egyptian-army-bravery-medal/?hl=sudan

Thanks Owain, am very pleased to have them. For anyone interested, below is a description of the service for the award of the three medals. Nyam Nyam (1 January – 31 May 1905). In the autumn of 1903, a small escort conveying a number of presents for Sultan Yambio, the paramount Chief of the Nyam Nyam tribe, left Rumbek under the command of the late Captain Armstrong (Lancashire Fusiliers) for the purpose of entering into personal negotiations with the chieftain, and of course hoisting the British and Egyptian flags in this portion of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan which hitherto had not been effectively reoccupied for administrative purposes by the Sudan Government. As the correspondence which had previously taken place between Sultan Yambio and the Sudan Government had been of so friendly a nature, the party was organized more on the lines of an embassy than of a fighting force. Unfortunately, a few marches from Rumbek, Captain Armstrong was gored to death by an elephant, and the party had to proceed under the command of Colour-Sergeant Boardman (Liverpool Regiment). On entering Nyam Nyam territory the attitude of the natives was noticed to be hostile, and as the party penetrated further its march was dogged by armed bands whose numbers daily increased, a general attack being only averted by the determined attitude of the little force. Seeing the futility of attempting to carry out his instructions in face of this ever-increasing opposition, Colour-Sergeant Boardman (later to be awarded the D.C.M. for his services) skilfully withdrew his force by night and by covering 120 miles in four days managed to shake himself clear of the pursuing Nyam Nyams with slight casualties, but with the loss of the transport animals and baggage, including the presents for Yambio. Following this reverse, in February 1904, a patrol of 100 men, with two Maxim machine-guns, under Captain Wood (Royal Irish Fusiliers), with Lieutenant Haymes as Principal Medical and Staff Officer, was sent in an attempt to re-open negotiations with Yambio, and set out for the village of Rikta, Yambio’s son. The patrol reached Mimmobolo on 1 February, but received a somewhat unexpected check on reaching Rikta’s about 70 miles further south, or 142 miles south of Tonj, on 7 February. No villages or inhabitants were met until reaching the first Nyam Nyam village (Sheikh Toin’s), 20 miles north of Rikta’s. Sheikh Toin was apparently friendly, but professed ignorance of the intentions and movements of Rikta, who sent Wood Bey on entering his district two almost valueless presents of very inferior ivory. These were refused. As the patrol approached Rikta’s village gunfire was suddenly opened up on them at a few yards range and almost simultaneously a number of spear and bowmen lying concealed in the Khor, charged the government troops. The result was hand-to-hand melee, from which the Nyam Nyam rapidly withdrew into the high grass with which the surrounding country was covered. The Maxims were quickly brought into action, and cleared the enemy from the high grass which was as soon as possible burnt. Bimbashi Haymes had received a dangerous gunshot wound in the head and one man of the XV Sudanese had been killed, whilst nine others were wounded, mostly by spears and arrows. The Nyam Nyam, who are said to have numbered about 50, left behind six dead. Meanwhile after the two previous attempts at friendly overtures to Yambio had failed, it was clear that peaceful negotiations were out of the question, so it was decided to dispatch an expeditionary force in January 1905 to suitably impress the Nyam Nyam (Azande) with a show of force and permanently establish the authority of the Sudan Government in this area of the Bahr-el-Ghazal. The force, which was placed under the command of Major W. A. Boulnois (Royal Artillery), Commandant and Governor of the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province, was organized in two columns. A Western Column, under Captain A. B. Bethell, Royal Artillery with 11 British officers and nearly 700 infantry and 4 Maxims, and an Eastern Column, under Captain A. Sutherland, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with three British officers and about 150 men. The Eastern Column was ordered to advance from Rumbek via Mvolo into the eastern portion of the Nyam Nyam territory, engage the attention of Mangi, the most powerful son of Yambio, and by enforcing his submission, prevent him coming to the assistance of his father; whilst the Western Column, under the immediate command of Major Boulnois, advanced viâ Tambura and N'Doruma directly against Yambio himself. The Column was concentrated at Mvolo by 1 January, on which date it began its advance towards Mangi's. The Western Column completed its concentration at N'Doruma's, 255 miles south of Wau, in the third week in January, and began its advance to Yambio's on the 26th of that month. The Eastern Column marched southward along the Rhol River, mostly through uninhabited country. On 12 February the column crossed the Meridi River and proceeded westward to Mangi's village, where it effected a junction with the Western Column on the 25th. There was practically no serious opposition on the part of the Nyam Nyams to the advance of this column, which was attributable undoubtedly to the presence of the Congo Free State forces in their midst and to a heavy defeat which these forces had inflicted on them when attacking one of their posts a short time before. The Western Column reached Zugumbia on 30 January, where the sick and most of the transport and baggage were left under a guard, and advanced on 2 February with eight days' rations. On 3 February the mounted infantry scouts located an ambush of the enemy, who retired after a short skirmish. On 6 February a large force of Nyam Nyams was found massed to oppose the column, but retired on its determined advance on the 7th. Yambio's village was occupied, with Yambio fleeing into the bush. On the 8th a column under the late Lieutenant Fell (late R.N.) advanced, located Yambio himself, and dispersed his force again after a slight skirmish. That evening three columns went out to effect the capture of the Sultan, which was successfully accomplished by Major Carter's column, Yambio receiving a mortal wound in the skirmish, of which he died that night. By Yambio's death the country was relieved of a barbarous and cruel despotism which had pressed heavily on the people for many years. It was, therefore, hailed with satisfaction, as was evidenced by the numbers who, in a short time, came in gladly to Government and further resistance ended. Atwot (9 February - 4 April 1910). Early in 1902, Atwot Dinka irregulars of the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province had assisted the government forces in the suppression of the Agar Dinka uprising, and as a result were considered to be a fairly loyal bunch. Being in the very early days of the condominium administration, it was not fully realised at the time that this Atwot assistance’ was not so much out of loyalty to the new government, but more out of an opportunity to enrich themselves with Agar cattle, an age old tradition in the southern Sudan. Unfortunately for the Atwot, by 1907 they were under the rule of a rather eccentric old Chief, named Awo, who ordered his people not to pay herd tax, and to stop clearing the mail roads of vegetation - a task which was counted as part of their overall taxation. Awo also ordered his Atwot to kill all government mail carriers passing through the region. As soon as they heard of what was going on, the government quickly despatched a military patrol to sort things out, but as the old chief suddenly died, the unrest fizzled out without any serious action and the patrol returned to base. Subsequently the government imposed a fine of cattle on the miscreant Dinka, equal to the cost of sending the patrol, and things went quiet for a time. This fine, however, continued to rankle in the minds of some of the young Atwot hotheads, a perceived indignity which was stirred up into open defiance some two years later, by another chief named Ashwol. In 1909 the government demand for the road clearing to continue was again met by outright refusal, so troops were sent, and Ashwol arrested for fermenting rebellion. On their way back to Wau with their prisoner, the patrol was ambushed by the Loitch clan of the Atwot Dinka, and three soldiers were killed, as were six of the attackers, and Ashwol escaped. The chief, by now somewhat of a hero, called on all the Dinka tribes to rise in rebellion, and throw off the yoke of foreign government. Encouraged and emboldened by the seditious preaching of Ashwol’s brother Dar, and by Ashwol’s own groups of travelling Dinka ‘magicians’ (also known as witch doctors), who prophesied the early demise of the government, virtually the whole of the Dinka nation rose in rebellion. In an attempt to find a peaceful solution, the Government Inspector in the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province, Kaimakam H. R. Headlam, made approaches to the rebels but his advances were rebuffed by the Chief and the rebellion spread. Before long police patrols were being attacked, and rest houses destroyed. Headlam, far too short of resources to take action on his own, was forced to ask Khartoum for help. A small patrol comprising of 160 officers and men was assembled in Khartoum, and left for Wau on 16 January 1910. On arrival it was re-enforced by the 150 or so troops already stationed there. This combined force was under the command of El Kaimakam W. J. St. J. Harvey Bey, of the Black Watch. In February, the patrol swept through the Atwot country, which was about 2,400 square miles in area, fighting a few minor skirmishes here and there, and confiscating large quantities of cattle. Harvey also took over 100 warriors prisoner. Most of the operations centred on the country around Gnopp, southeast of Rumbek, between Yirrol and Amadi. In early March the revolt gradually petered out and in April, chief Ashwol himself finally surrendered. The chief was put under house arrest in Khartoum, and the government replaced him with a wealthy Dinka by the name of Diu. This imposed leader, having no personally earned authority, was duly ignored by the Dinka. When Diu was unable to get ‘his’ people back to clearing the roads and providing carriers for the government, he was himself replaced in 1913 by none other than the wily Ashwol who, while incarcerated under house arrest in Khartoum, managed to persuade the government that his newly discovered loyalty to the administration was really genuine. An uneasy sort of peace descended over the Bahr-el-Ghazal province. However, over the years Ashwol’s stature, which had been bolstered and strengthened by his leadership of the rebellion and subsequent imprisonment in Khartoum, slowly declined in the light of his new found loyalty to the government. The young Dinka warriors, to whom raiding, fighting and cattle rustling were a manly way of life could not be restrained for long, and in 1917, by now under the sway of more influential leaders, they again rose in rebellion, this time with far more devastating effects. East Africa 1915 (4 February-28 May 1915). Two medals with this clasp awarded to British officers of the Egyptian Army and 133 Native Soldiers of the 9th Sudanese Battalion, Egyptian Army. With the embodiment of the Sudan Defence Force in 1925, ‘Darfur 1921’ was the last clasp to be issued for the Khedives Sudan 1910 Medal, and the last Medal to be issued to British military personnel for service in the Sudan, although they could still be awarded the Order of the Nile when appropriate. Sudanese Regiments of the Egyptian Army were only used outside of the Sudan on two occasions, both of them against the Turkhana tribes on the Uganda and British East Africa borders. At the request of the Governor of Uganda, a company and a half of the IXth Sudanese were sent to Madial, Morongole and Kitgum to protect the northern frontier of Uganda from raiding Dodinga tribesmen. These troops left Mongalla on 21 September 1914. A detachment consisting of two British officers, Bimbashi (Major) D. A. Fairbairn and H. F. C. Hobbs, both of the West Riding Regiment, along with two Egyptian officers, Yuzbashi (Captain) Sherif and Mulazim Awal (Lieutenant) Hafez, with 67 N.C.O.’s and men. They assisted in military operations against the Turkhana raiders commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. S. Edwards, D.S.O., of the Kings African Rifles, undertaken along the shores of Lake Rudolf during April and May 1915. The Uganda force consisted of 491 officers and men, including the elements of the IXth Sudanese Infantry under the command of Fairbairn. As is often the case in this type of operation, a great deal of trekking, but little actual fighting was done. At the conclusion of the Turkhana operations, one company of the IXth Sudanese under Bimbashi Hobbs was left as a garrison at Madial, with Bimbashi Fairbairn and the remaining troops returned to the Sudan. The valuable services performed by this Sudanese detachment was cordially acknowledged by the Government of Uganda.

Owain, You are absolutely right "Very Expensive" but will you ever see another one like it, I don’t think so !, with only 133 AGS medals with the clasp East Africa 1915 being awarded to the 9th Sudanese, plus the confirmed 1896 with clasp Nyam Nyam and confirmed Mentioned in Despatches 1910 medal clasp Atwot, it wont get any better than that. Oh well Owain, I had to have it so he is now residing in my collection, good news is, have, already had an, if you ever sell I want it message. Paul, yes as you eloquently put it, very rare group. Best Regards, Brian.

This very rare Anglo-Egyptian Army, Sergeant's, trio of medals recently sold at auction in London, I have never seen another confirmed group like it in 30 odd years, also MID for Atwot operations. Comments welcome, Regards, Brian. Shawish, (Sergeant) Abu Bakr Isa Agha, 9th Sudanese Battalion, Egyptian Army. Awards. Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, East Africa 1915, named, (3245 Shawish Abu Bakr Isa Agha, 9 Sud. R.). Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Nyam-Nyam, edge named in Arabic Script, 3245. Khedive’s Sudan 1910-22, 1st issue, 1 clasp, Atwot, unnamed as issued. Nyam Nyam operations, 1st January to 31st May 1905. Atwot operations, 9th February to 4th April 1910. East Africa operations, 4th February to 28th May 1915. Public Records Office. File WO100/407 Operations against the Atwot Tribe. SPECIAL ARMY ORDER. (Effectively a Mention in Despatches). Headquarters Khartoum 21st June 1910. The Acting Sirdar publishes to the Army, the following list of Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men whose names have been brought to the notice of His Highness the Khedive for their good services in connection with recent operations against the Atwot Tribe, Bahr-el-Ghazal. 9th Sudanese El Yusbashi, Mohamed Effendi Abdulla. El Mulazim Awal, Mabruk Effendi khelil Obeid. El Mulazim Tani, Hassan Effendi Mohammed. No. 1923. Bash, Bash Shawish Mohammed Nur. No. 2601. Shawish Ebd El Farrag Mohammed. No. 2635. Shawish Sumit Mohammed Ali. No. 2376. Shawish Abd El Rezak Ali. No. 2265. Shawish Ali Bekhit. No. 3245. Onbashi Abu Bakr Isa Agar. No. 3240. Onbashi Fadl El Mula Kheir El Sid. No. 2871. Onbashi Bekit Walad El Mek. No. 2785. Onbashi Fadl El Mula Muma. No. 3128. Onbashi Mirsal Hassan. No. 3216. Nafar Ebd El Rahman Ahmed. No. 3145. Nafar Abd El Radi Fadlalla. No. 3336. Nafar Abd El Sid Ahmed. By Order, (Signed) C. R. G. Mayne, Kaimakam, Assistant Adjutant-General For, Adjutant-General

Owain, Many thanks for the information on the Military Star of Sultan Fouad, What a great looking medal, such a shame it has been taken away from the group. Regards, Brian

Hi Owain, Just been browsing the forum and came across this Gem, any idea what the missing medal is ? Wonder if the trio is a researchable name ! Regards, Brian.

Owain, At this point in time i would have to agree with your assumption on the naming of these medals but as you say assumptions are never wise, for sure a topic that needs be looked into further when time permits. Best Regards, Brian.

Owain, Is it not always the way, when something nice comes up funds are hard to find, happens to me far to often, what a great group that was that you missed, would just love to have one in my collection, closest I have is the group below, "Note his 1914-15 Star is named in full but the War & Victory only has rank and unit" (Also not mounted in the Egyptian order of wear but on a very old mount as worn) I have posted it up elsewhere on the forum but showing again as it fits in this thread. Now just need to find one with a Sudan 1910 medal in it. !!!! Kaimakam, Yusef Effendi Dervish, OBE. A Medical Officer of the Egyptian Army Medical Corps. Awards. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type Officer’s (O.B.E.) Civil Division breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919. 1914-15 Star (Yuz. Yusef Eff. Dervish, Med. Corps S.G.). British War Medal (Yuzbashi, Med. Corps E.A.). Victory Medal (Yuzbashi, Med. Corps E.A.). Egypt, Order of the Nile, 5th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel. Ottoman Empire, Order of Medjidie, 5th Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, mounted court style for display, Commissioned into the Sudan Government Medical Services on 6th April 1911. April 1920, Medical Officer (El Yuzbashi) at Yei. April 1923, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) at Kajo Kaji on sleeping sickness duty. April 1924, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) at Tembura. January 1926 till December 1932, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) (OBE) at Yei, on sleeping sickness duty. July 1931 promoted to (Kaimakam) Lieutenant Colonel. 8th December 1932, Retiring, (El Kaimakam) (OBE) at Source Yubo. WO 329 / 2956 Medical Corps Sudan Government “Yuz Yusef Eff Dervish (3) roll dated 23rd December 1918. Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 5th June 1926. Decoration and warrant sent to the Foreign Office on 15th July 1926. O.B.E. Sudan Government Gazette No. 482, 15 November 1926. ‘The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services rendered in the Sudan’ To be Honorary Officer of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order. ‘El Bimbashi Yusef Effendi Dervish, Medical Officer, Yei.’ District HQ Equatoria Province. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star trio as a Yuzbashi (Captain) in the Medical Corps of the Government of Sudan/Egyptian Army. Regards, Brian.

Hi Owain, Nice to know you were able to reconstitute the trio to the Egyptian Army Medical Corps and named as well an even better bonus. As you mention most of the Egyptian Army pairs and trios were just named with the Regimantal number E.A. or Battalion number and E.A but there are some examples out there with researchable naming as yours. here is an example of a trio once in my collection but sadly now gone to a Veterinary Corps Collector. As for the Officer in the photo, one would hope the medals were named in a researchable way i.e. with his name on them as in the trio below. Mulazim Awal (1st Lieutenant), Ibrahim 'Effendi' Kadri. Veterinary Corps, Egyptian Army. Mulazim Awal, is an Egyptian officer rank that translated means a First Lieutenant. Awards. 1914-15 Star, named, (Mul: Awal: I. Kadry). British War Medal (Mul. Awal. I. EFF. Kadri). Interallied Victory Medal & M.I.D. Oakleaves (Mul. Awal. I. EFF. Kadri). Ibrahim 'Effendi' Kadri's British awards are all confirmed at the National Archives at Kew, London. vide the respective MIC's for him in file series WO 772/24 (for the MID, where he is shown as an Egyptian Government Official) and WO 372/11 (for the 1914-15 Trio, where his unit is shown as being the (Veterinary Corps, Egyptian Army). A preliminary search of the MIC's using 'Egyptian' in the search critera returns 3,491 'hits'. While many of those returned are British and other European's in the Egyptian Services, the majority appear to be to indiginous Egyptians, and covering all arms of services including Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, Government Officials and Support Arms Kadri's Mention-In-Despatches was published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 6/7/1917. His name appears under the list of 'Egyptian Government Officers, as Veterinary Corps, Egyptian Army Ibrahim Effendi Kadri, 2nd Lt (Mulazim Tani) (Ministry of Agriculture). The award was one recommended in the despatch of General Murray, Commander-In-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, in respect of of 'Gallant or Distinguished Conduct in the field, or for other Valuable Services - during the period 1/10/1916 - 28/2/1917. Regards, Brian.