Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (1187. Sergt. F. Orchard. 7th...

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (1187. Sergt. F. Orchard. 7th Co. C & T.C.) contact marks and polished, therefore good fine or better £100-£140 --- The following details were published in the Journal of the Royal Army Service Corps in 1936, upon Mr Orchard joining the Regimental Association at Portsmouth (No. 1 Branch): ‘Mr Orchard is still quite active and looks much younger than his actual age. He was born at Hoxton in 1855, and joined the Commissariat and Transport Corps on 12th December, 1874, as a butcher, his regimental number being 1187C. He served 11 years 159 days in the Corps, and purchased his discharge in May 1886, while holding the rank of Sergeant. During his service with the Corps, Sergt. Orchard was stationed at Aldershot for five years, and in Dublin three and a half years, during which time the Irish boycott riots took place. He was also stationed in Edinburgh for two years. He served in the Egyptian campaign of 1885, and saw much service in General Sir J. McNiell’s zareba campaign from Suakin. In November 1887, he joined the East Surrey Militia, from which he purchased his discharge in April 1889. He could not, however, keep away from soldiering, so he joined the Middlesex Rifle Volunteers in 1890 and served with them until 1900. At the age of 46 he joined the Duke of Cambridge’s Own 21st Coy., Cheshire Imperial Yeomanry, and proceeded to South Africa in January 1901, being invalided home in March 1902. In 1906 he went to Canada, where he joined the Imperial Army and Navy Veteran’s Corps, in which he served for twenty years. He volunteered for service in the Great War, although he was then 60 years of age. He was accepted, but, being unable to pay his fare home, was enrolled for Imperial Defence in Canada. He returned to England in November 1934. Mr Orchard possesses the Egyptian Medal and Star with clasp “Suakin 1885,” and the South African Queen’s and King’s Medals with several clasps.’ Sold with copied extract as above and medal roll extract for Suakin.