CAMPAIGN GROUPS AND PAIRS
Embarked for Egypt in August 1882, Corbett was present at Tel-el-Kebir, which experience is believed to have inspired him to write the
following poem - “Following a Star”:
Over the desert\ at midnight with rapid silent stride
were marching British soldiers and their gallant sailor guide.
God help them all if he failed to find his way in the gloom aright,
for his comrades lives and his country’s fame were placed in his hands that night.
Never a faltering moment unsteadied the ranks he led,
they pressed on their silent way with the sail at their head.
On through the gloom and darkness screened them watchful foe,
till the goal they sought was safely gained as the sudden morning rose.
Quick the alarm was sounded, quick was the onslaught made,
sharp was the fight, but the foe fell back from the British fire and blade.
Many a heart that late beat high was stilled in that hour foray
and among the first of the British men fell the man who led the way.
Sadly they bore him back to die and the kindly General came,
bent over his friend with grateful thanks, pity and promised fame.
Never a worry said the dying man of his pain or his hapless fate,
but the eager words came, “General, didn’t I guide you straight.”
It was a star you know, a star, a star that backward fell,
his young life closed with the service done and the trust fulfilled so well.
As long as an English voice speak of the Tel-el-Kebir fight,
will be heard the brave young soldier’s name who guided them straight that night.
Nor say that his work was ended with the dead that led to death,
it may be a nobler mission wrought with his dying breath,
for shall not the words he uttered like a living watchword shrill,
to the hearts of men enlisted in a higher service still.
On through the unknown country while the goal yet lies afar,
led through the gloom and darkness by the light of a guiding star.
God help us following where it leads till the doubtful path grows straight,
and the march shall end and the conflict cease where it shines on the golden gate.
Corbett returned to the U.K. in November 1882 and was discharged as medically unfit at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight in August 1884.
The examining surgeon’s report stated that his general disability was of a permanent nature and had ‘originated as an effect of the
Afghan Campaign’ and had progressed as a result of ‘long service in India, Afghan and Egypt ... He will be able to contribute, in part,
towards a livelihood.’
Sold with the original handwritten text for the above quoted poem, ‘Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, 13 Sept. 1882 - Following a Star’, the verses
numbered from ‘4’ to ‘10’, so possibly missing earlier details.
1122
Pair: Piper J. Clarke, Scots Guards
EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (5031 [Pte.], 1/Scot. [Gds.]); KHEDIVE’S STAR, 1882, the reverse impressed
‘S. Gds. 5031’, the first with bent suspension carriage, edge bruising and resultant loss of rank and regimental title
details, and heavy contact marks, thus fair to fine (2) £180-220
John Clarke was born at Dalziel, near Motherwell, Lanarkshire and enlisted in the Scots Guards in March 1880, aged 19 years. Active
service in Egypt in July-November 1882 having followed, he was appointed a Piper in September 1884 and served in that capacity until
being placed on the Army Reserve in March 1886. Clarke was finally discharged in March 1892.
1123
Pair: General R. B. Kirchoffer, Royal Marine Light Infantry
EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Capt., R.M.L.I.); KHEDIVE’S STAR, 1882, unnamed, gilded, first with edge
bruising, pitted, good fine; second good very fine (2) £200-240
Kirchoffer was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines in 1864. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1867; Captain in
1879; Major in 1885; Lieutenant-Colonel in 1893; Colonel in 1899; Major-General in 1902 and General in 1910. He served as
Quartermaster of the Royal Marine Battalion sent to South Africa for service in the Zulu War but arrived too late to qualify for a medal.
He served in the Egypt 1882 Campaign aboard H.M.S. Orion.
1124
Pair: Lamp-trimmer W. Lynch, Royal Navy
EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (W. Lynch, Lamptr. H.M.S. “Mal.....); KHEDIVE’S STAR, 1882, unnamed,
this last lacking suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, good fine and better (2) £80-100
Lynch was a Lamp-trimmer aboard H.M.S. Malabar. His medal was sent to him in May 1883, when he was serving on H.M.S.
Crocodile.
1125
Pair: Private J. McKee, 7th Dragoon Guards
EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (2603 Pte., 7/Dn. Gds.); KHEDIVE’S STAR, 1882, unnamed,
contact marks, nearly very fine and better (2) £160-200
www.dnw.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268 |
Page 269 |
Page 270 |
Page 271 |
Page 272 |
Page 273 |
Page 274 |
Page 275 |
Page 276 |
Page 277 |
Page 278 |
Page 279 |
Page 280 |
Page 281 |
Page 282 |
Page 283 |
Page 284 |
Page 285