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    Khedive’s Star...


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    I’m one of those weirdos who thinks  Khedive’s Star medals are pretty cool, mainly because of the regimental particulars one might find marked on them.  Here’s a recent find...

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    Great find.  I've always had a soft spot for the 19th, as their predecessors, the 19th Light Dragoons, served in Canada during the War of 1812.  I have an Egypt Medal to the 19th, bought as a no-clasp.  My researcher found that he was entitled to Tel-el-Kebir, and when the rolls became available online, I discovered he also had Suakin 1884 and El Teb.  I added the Tel-el-Kebir clasp, but doubt I can afford the other two, El Teb as a single being scarce.  No papers found, so not clear why he missed Tamaii.

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    His name was Joseph Silvester Gibbons. Born 1857 Paddington,Middlesex.  Enlisted 1875 age 18. Served with the 19th hussars. Regimental Number 1549.

    The regiment saw action at Battle of Tel el-Kebir in September 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War and the regiment took possession of the wells, which were a vital resource in desert warfare, at the Battle of Abu Klea in January 1885 during the Mahdist War.

    Married with Ester Gibbons. They had 4 children. He died in Fulham, London 1895.

    Gibbons.jpg

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    38 minutes ago, Noor said:

    His name was Joseph Silvester Gibbons. Born 1857 Paddington,Middlesex.  Enlisted 1875 age 18. Served with the 19th hussars. Regimental Number 1549.

    The regiment saw action at Battle of Tel el-Kebir in September 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War and the regiment took possession of the wells, which were a vital resource in desert warfare, at the Battle of Abu Klea in January 1885 during the Mahdist War.

    Married with Ester Gibbons. They had 4 children. He died in Fulham, London 1895.

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    Excellent stuff!!  Thanks a million!  Looks like he died young, sadly.  Am I reading that last bit right?  “Mother in possession of Egypt/1882/etc”...???

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    Its just zoomed in part of the roll to read better. It says "neither in possession of 1882 or 1884 medal. Underneath you can see he had 1882 issue...

     

     

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    There is actually his family tree up on Ancestry with more details. Also 1891 census lists him as living in the hussars barracks... he may had some type of job there after the years with the colours.

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    • 9 months later...

    I must admit Mark McM, I share your enthusiasm for the Khedive's Star. Especially if you can find named examples, of which I have two in my collection, both named to men from the 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment.

     

    The first one being......

    172 Pte Edward BECKINGHAM 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment

    Joined Reading 1st February 1882 aged 19.
    Labourer by trade.
    Height 5` 7"
    Complexion Fresh
    Eyes Hazel
    Hair Brown
    Religion Church of England

    Medical History and date arrived in station
    Gosport 15.02.1882
    Egypt 24.11.82
    Gibraltar 21.05.1883 09.07.83 - 13.07.1883 fever. 10.05.1884 - 26.05.1884 ailment unreadable
    Cairo 29.08.1884
    Suakin 26.01.1885 07.05.1885 Eczsma
    Cairo 27.05.1885
    Wadi Halfa 14.11.1886 20.11.1885 - 03.12.1885 Eczsma
    Ramleh 30.04.1886
    Malta 22.05.1886


    Service History
    Home 30.01.82 - 10.11.1882
    Egypt 11.11.82 - 11.05.1883
    Gibraltar 12.05.83 - 20.08.84
    Egypt 21.08.1884 - 22.05.1886
    Malta 23.05.86 - 21.12.89
    Home 01.01.90 - 29.01.95

    Campaigns served on Eastern Sudan 1882 & Nile Frontier 1885-6
    Medals Egypt Medal 1885 clasps Suakin 1885 & Tofrek, Khedive's Star 1884-86

    Record of service

    Egypt Campaign

    Beckingham was present with the regiment during the battle of Tofrek & Ginnis.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tofrek

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ginnis

    Malta
    1886
    25 May 1886 Half a battalion, (310 men), returned from Egypt (Suakin Expedition). It was stationed in Pembroke Camp for 7 months. The other half (4 coys) moved to Cyprus on 30 May 1886. BECKINGHAM was part of the Malta contingent, had an average strength of 164 men. Of which there were 89 admissions into hospital.

    1887
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment (half battalion) had an average strength of 397 men and was quartered at Fort Ricasoli. Men from Fort Ricasoli would have supplied the infantry support for the protection of Fort Renilla and the Armstrong Gun. The battalion suffered 3 deaths in 1887 and 3 men were sent home as invalids. Large scale Cholera outbreak amongst the civilian population.

    1888
    3 Feb 1888 HQ Coy and half a battalion embarked at Cyprus and disembarked in Malta on 9 February. The battalion was quartered in Cottonera and Forrest Hospital. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 790 men (8 coys). The battalion suffered 4 deaths and 4 men were returned to England as invalids.

    1889
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 857 men (8 coys). Suffering 6 deaths and 10 invalids returned to England.
    The battalion was at Fort Ricasoli for 7 and a half months and at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 4 and a half months. It had detachments at Pembroke Camp.
    Pte John Andrews drowned following an altercation with a boatman who had ferried him across the Grand Harbour to Fort Ricasoli. Subsequently, scuffles broke out between soldiers from the fort and the local inhabitants.
    The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889:
    13 Aug Pte Francis James.
    18 Aug Infant William Cripps aged 1 day, son of CSgt W Cripps.
    9 Oct Pte Arthur Dicker, aged 23 years.
    25 Nov Pte John Cofton, aged 29 years.




    Transferred to the reserve 05.01.90

    Absent with leave 05.01.90 - 05.07.90

    Marries Margaret FERGUSON on the 15th February 1894 at 3 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. Margaret is documented as being a widow.

    Discharged 29.07.94

    Berks 002 (1) 172.jpg

    The second example being...

     

    1009 Pte William Young 1st Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment


    Born Newbury, Berkshire
    Joined the Berkshire Regiment on the 8th July 1884 at Reading.
    Aged 19
    Occupation Labour
    Height 5` 4 1/4"
    Eyes blue
    Hair brown
    Religion Church of England
    Enlisting for 12 years.
    Next of kin - brother Joseph box man Newbury Berks.

    Served
    Home (Chatham) 08.02.1884 to 04.10.1885, during his time in Chatham he had several spells in hospital for various ailments including, some sort of wound to his foot. But most notably he contracted Syphilis spending two months in hospital. He clearly didn't learn from this experience as a month later he is admitted to hospital with gonorrhea.

    Egypt 05.10.1885 to 22.05.1886
    Of the 230 days in Egypt he spent 64 in hospital.
    05.10.1885 arrive in Egypt moves up to Wadi Haifia to join the regiment.
    24.11.1885 in hospital for 11 days discharged 04.12.1885 (conjuntivitis) Wadi Haifia.
    12.12.11885 in hospital for 20 days discharged 31.12.1885 (rheumatic fever) no location given. But as a result of this he missed the Battle fo Ginnis. The last engagement of the campaign.
    02.01.1886 in hospital for 23 days discharged 25.01.1886 (rheumatic fever) Assuan.
    22.05.1886 leaves Egypt.
    Despite the numerous hospital admissions, he was entitled to the Egypt Medal undated (Nile Frontier 1885 - 1886, (but I don't believe his medal would have had any clasps) and the Khedives Star 1884-1886).

    Malta 23.05.1886 to 21.02.1892
    1886
    25 May 1886 Half a battalion, (310 men), returned from Egypt (Suakin Expedition). It was stationed in Pembroke Camp for 7 months. The other half (4 coys) moved to Cyprus on 30 May 1886. Young was part of the Malta contingent, had an average strength of 164 men. Of which there were 89 admissions into hospital. Young was admitted to hospital twice in 1886 suffering from gonorrhea on both occasions.
    1887
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment (half battalion) had an average strength of 397 men and was quartered at Fort Ricasoli. Men from Fort Ricasoli would have supplied the infantry support for the protection of Fort Renilla and the Armstrong Gun. The battalion suffered 3 deaths in 1887 and 3 men were sent home as invalids. Young is again admitted into hospital with time suffering from a hydrocele.
    1888
    3 Feb 1888 HQ Coy and half a battalion embarked at Cyprus and disembarked in Malta on 9 February. The battalion was quartered in Cottonera and Forrest Hospital. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 790 men (8 coys). The battalion suffered 4 deaths and 4 men were returned to England as invalids.
    1889
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 857 men (8 coys). Suffering 6 deaths and 10 invalids returned to England.
    The battalion was at Fort Ricasoli for 7 and a half months and at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 4 and a half months. It had detachments at Pembroke Camp.
    Pte John Andrews drowned following an altercation with a boatman who had ferried him across the Grand Harbour to Fort Ricasoli. Subsequently, scuffles broke out between soldiers from the fort and the local inhabitants.
    The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1889:
    13 Aug Pte Francis James.
    18 Aug Infant William Cripps aged 1 day, son of CSgt W Cripps.
    9 Oct Pte Arthur Dicker, aged 23 years.
    25 Nov Pte John Cofton, aged 29 years.
    1890
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 875 men. Suffering 4 deaths and 16 invalids returned to England.
    The battalion was at Marsamxetto Barracks and Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months with detachments at Pembroke Camp for 9 months.
    The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1890:
    6 Aug Infant William F Waldeck aged 10 months, son of Sgt Waldeck.
    11 Aug Infant Elizabeth C Bell aged 7 months, daughter of Sgt Bell.
    20 Aug Infant Flores Annie Jones aged 10 months, daughter of Sgt Jones.
    13 Oct Pte Frank Clarke aged 22 years.
    5 Nov Child Victoria Jubilee Waldeck aged 3 years.
    25 Nov Cpl Frederick Tyson aged 22 years.
    19 Dec Pte E Turner aged 24 years 11 months.
    1891
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 995 men.Suffered 7 deaths and 20 invalids returned to England.
    The battalion was quartered at Marsamxetto Barracks and Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months.
    22 Sep F Griffiths aged 19 years died at Cottonera and was buried in Rinella Military Cemetery.
    The following were buried in Pietà Military Cemetery in 1891:
    30 Jan Pte W Jackson aged 28 years.
    14 Feb Pte F Buckland aged 28 years.
    8 Aug Mrs Elizabeth Claydon aged 26 years wife of Sgt Claydon.
    18 Aug T Bicknell aged 20 years.
    Sep Infant A Claydon aged 4 months.
    8 Oct Pte H Hunt aged 21 years.
    30 Dec Ernest Lovelock aged 25 years.
    1892
    The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment had an average strength of 1004 men. The 1st/Royal Berkshire Regiment was quartered at Lower St Elmo Barracks for 12 months. It had detachments at Fort Mosta and Fort St Angelo. However Young leaves the battalion in February and returns home to England, where he surfs out the remainder of his enlistment.

    Home 22.02.1892 to 01.02.1896

    Discharged 1st Feb 1896

    BKS1_1884-6_Young 1009.jpg

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    On 20/06/2019 at 08:25, Noor said:

    Its just zoomed in part of the roll to read better. It says "neither in possession of 1882 or 1884 medal. Underneath you can see he had 1882 issue...

     

     

    Gibbons3b.jpg

    I think it says "Whether in possession..." - similar to the other header fields. That would also make more sense...

     

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