PRIVATE M. WATT, 5TH ROYAL IRISH LANCERS. Egypt Medal 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, S

PRIVATE M. WATT, 5TH ROYAL IRISH LANCERS. Egypt Medal 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (officially engraved: 1800 Pte. M. WATT. 5th. LANCERS.). Some light surface pitting from the Star, otherwise Good Very Fine and mounted court style for display.

Medal accompanied by medal roll extract confirming medal and clasp and that Watt was serving “with regiment” when the medal roll was compiled at Brighton in September 1885.

Only two squadrons of the 5th Lancers (approximately 200 officers and men) present during the Suakin campaign of 1885, including the battle of Hasheen, 20/3/1855.

During the Suakin campaign of 1885 the two squadrons of the 5th Lancers took part in the advance from Suakin to Hasheen, taking part in the action at Hasheen, a significant defeat for a much superior Dervish force. The troops taking part in the advance to Hasheen doing so in a defensive open square, with the cavalry, including the 5th Lancers, advancing in open formation in front of the square, scouting and skirmishing, the 5th Royal Irish Lancers taking part in a charge against a far superior force of Dervishes. The following description of that charge, commanded by Major Harvey, is taken from the regimental history:

“On the extreme right rear of the British force the 5th Lancers now got their opportunity. A number of the enemy tried to break through in the direction of the redoubts which the 70th were constructing, and Major Harvey charged the Arabs on the flank, going right through them, and then, wheeling about riding them down a second time. The Arabs practised their usual tactics, and lay flat on the ground when they saw the Lancers approaching, doing their best to hamstring the horses as they passed. But on this occasion they had the Queen of weapons to reckon with, and the lance put an end to many a Mahdist before he could put his plan into execution. The leader of this dashing charge was himself wounded by one of the lances of the Bengal Cavalry, with which an Arab had armed himself. Kneeling on the ground, the fellow kept himself in front of Harvey, who was somewhat perplexed to know what he was going to do, so he went straight at him with his drawn sword. The Arab suddenly jumped on one side, and as Harvey passed him, endeavoured to run him through with the lance. So quick was the Arab, that the sword was too late to parry the point, and the spear was lodged deeply in the rider’s thigh, so deeply indeed, as to wrench it from the Arab’s grasp. With the bridle in one hand and his sword in the other, there was no possibility of Harvey withdrawing the lance, which caught in a bush and nearly unhorsed the gallant major. Another officer of the Fifth laid four of the enemy low before he emptied his revolver, and such execution did the lancers do, that only seven of the enemy made their escape. The casualties amongst the Fifth were, Troop Sergeant-Major Nicholls and four men killed, Major Harvey and seven men wounded.”

An Egypt Medal 1882-89 with 2 clasps, Suakin 1885 and Tofrek to a Private in the 5th Lancers was sold at a Noonan’s auction on 9/11/2022 (lot 60). That medal sold for a hammer price of £480 (£640 including fees, etc).