Egyptian Medal, with bar for Tamaai, awarded to Driver F. Hanes, 1884
Obverse, a bust of Queen Victoria with veil |
Reverse, the Sphinx on a pedestal facing left |
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Obverse, a bust of Queen Victoria with veil |
Reverse, the Sphinx on a pedestal facing left |
The serious weakening of Ottoman Egyptian power under foreign influence led to increasing attempts to shed Egyptian dominion in the Sudan, where in 1881 Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad ibn al-Sayyid 'Abd Allah was proclaimed as Mahdi (the legendary final redeemer of Islam).
Several serious defeats of Egyptian forces in 1884 by his forces led to a concerted British campaign in defence of Egyptian claims, but but despite a victory at El-Teb and another fierce battle at Tamaai, control could not be recovered. The British withdrew their forces to Egypt and to Khartoum, where General Gordon defended the city whilst awaiting a relief column that, beset by Mahdist attacks, arrived too late.
This medal was awarded to Driver F. Hanes, of the 1st Brigade, Royal Artillery, for participation in the Battle of Tamaai. Lester Watson acquired the medal at some point before 1928.