Description
Egypt Medal, dated 1882, bar Tel-el-Kebir, 1464 Sergeant A. Niven, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders.
Officially Engraved: “1464. Sergt A. Niven. 1/Gord: Highrs.”
Confirmed on the Medal Roll.
Notably during the battle, the Gordon Highlanders as part of the Highland Brigade, stormed the enemy trenches by Bayonet, fighting alongside them was the Regimental Dog “Juno”, who was later presented with an engraved Silver Collar and has been photographed wearing an Egypt Medal, bar Tel El Kebir.
The following was written by a War Correspondent who witnessed the battle for “The Standard”:
“THE HIGHLANDERS CHARGE
The attack began on our left, and nothing could be imagined finer than the advance of the Highland Brigade.
The 74th were next to the canal. Next to them were the Cameronians.
The Gordon Highlanders continued the line, with the Black Watch upon their flank.
The 46th and the 60th formed the 2nd Line.
Swiftly and silently, the Highlanders moved forward to the attack. No word was spoken, no shot was fired, until within 300 yards of the enemy’s earthworks; nor up to that time did a sound in the Egyptian lines betoken that they were aware of the presence of their assailants. Then, suddenly, a terrific fire flashed along the sand, heaps, and a storm of bullets whizzed over the heads of the advancing troops.
A wild cheer broke from the Highlanders. In responded the pipes struck shrilly up, bayonets were fixed, and at the double this splendid line of men dashed forward.
The first line of entrenchments was carried without enemy scarce offering any resistance, but from another line of entrenchments behind, which in the still dim light could scarcely be seen, a burst of musketry broke out.
For a few minutes the Highlanders poured in a heavy fire in exchange, but that was probably as innocuous as that of the unseen enemy, whose bullets whistled harmlessly overhead.”
