Description
Khedive’s Sudan Medal, 1896-1898, no bar, named to Soldier 1033 of the 10th Sudanese Battalion, Egyptian Army.
Engraved on the edge in Arabic to the recipient translated to “1033-10”.
Contemporary repair with a locally replaced suspension which does not swivel.
Surviving medal roll for the earlier Egypt and Sudan Medal records Soldier 1033 of the 10th Sudanese Bn as Nafar, Rizkalla Abou El Noor.
Nafar is the Egyptian Army equivalent of a Private.
It shows that he was awarded the undated Medal, with 2 bars for Gemaizah 1888 and Toski 1889, at the time of issue he was present with the 10th Sudanese Bn, he would also be entitled to the Khedive’s Star.
According to Mark Reid’s excellent book, “Army of the Khedive” a special exception was made when naming the Egypt Medals to the 10th Battalion, with them being named in full on the edge in Arabic, with the recipients service number, name and battalion.
I would advise anyone interested in this period to get a copy of the above book, published through the OMRS, which goes greatly into detail of the battles fought by the battalion.
Many of the men who fought in the Egypt and Sudan Mahdist Wars as part of the Sudanese Infantry Battalions received named medals, with them being locally engraved with their service number and battalion.
This man likely earned some clasps to the medal which did not survive the changeover of suspension and no roll exists to confirm battles for the “Sudan” war. Typically they earned at least the Sudan 1899 clasp, with men from the 10th present at Abu Hamed and later Khartoum (Omdurman).
The 10th Sudanese Infantry Battalion raised circa 1886, saw much service in the local Mahdist Wars, they were regarded as one of the finest units in the Egyptian Army.
When the 10th Bn were presented with their Egypt Medals by Col Sir Joceline Wodehose he said on the occasion:
“I am very pleased to present you with these medals from HM The Queen of England and Empress of India as a reward for your faithful services and brave defence of Egypt.
The numbers of your brave comrades who have been killed on the frontier and at Suakin in the service of the Egyptian Government, proves how well these medals are deserved and your brave behaviour and good character assures me that you will wear them with honour as long as you live.”
