Single Campaign Medals 521
The medically important Egypt medal awarded to Sergeant Charles Williams, Army Hospital Corps, who was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry in the actions at Abu Klea and Abu Kru in January 1885, having originally been recommended for the V.C., and whose private journal describes many incidents in the battles including the treatment of the seriously wounded men to whom ‘a merciful drug was administered that permitted them to die in peace’
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (3520 Sgt. C. Williams. A.[H.C.]) edge bruising and pitting, otherwise nearly very fine
£1,600-£2,000
‘Early in November 1892, whilst stations at Aldershot my then Commanding Officer sent for me, and enquired what decorations I received for my services at Abu Klea. “Usual Meals and Bars, Sir”, I replied.
“Are you not aware you were recommended for he V.C.”, the C.O. enquired. “Yes”, I replied, “Surgeon Captain Briggs informed me so, but I have not heard anything further about it, and did not consider it my place to say anything.” “Wel;”, the C.O. said, “I know you were - for conspicuous bravery under intense fire, and devotion to your work without any consideration for your own safety. I am visiting the War Officer tomorrow, will make enquiries, and have a search at H.Q. for the record. I traces, I will personally see the Commander in Chief, the Duke of Cambridge.”
A few days later I was on “The Carpet” again, to use an old expression, wondering what I had done again! “Well”, said the Commanding Officer, “Your recommendation has been found pigeon-holed at H.Q., unquestionably being a recommendation for the V.C., but officers who had witnessed your conduct and signed to that effect are all dead- killed in action or died from wounds.” When shown to the Duke of Cambridge, the C.O. told me he swore and carried on alarmingly. He spoke very disrespectfully and strongly of the neglect of Corps H.Q. exclaiming “How can I ask Her Majesty to grant it after so many years have elapsed, but he shall have the next best- the D.C.M., and as a consolation will beg the Queen to personally decorate him”.’
D.C.M. Submitted to the Queen, 3 October 1892. Awarded for service in the Nile Expedition, 1884-85, in particular for Abu Klea, 17 January 1885 and Abu Kru, 19 January 1885 (Ref. G.O. 6 of 1893).
D.C.M. presented by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 25 November 1892, details being reported in The Times, 26 November 1892:
‘Her Majesty today decorated First-Class Staff-Sergeant Charles Williams, Medical Staff Corps, with the Distinguished Conduct Medal for services in Egypt. Sergeant Williams’s conduct during the Nile expedition, 1884-5, deserved the highest commendation; his gallant conduct at Abu Klea and Abu Kru and his zeal and cheerfulness throughout the campaign rendered him worthy of this reward.’
Further details were recorded by the Wanganui Herald: ‘On November 25 1892, at Windsor Castle, the Queen decorated First-class Staff-Sergeant Charles Williams with the medal for distinguished conduct. The ceremony took place in the east corridor and in the presence of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Sorge, Princess Beatrice and General Lynedoch Gardiner, Equerry in waiting. Her Majesty pinned the decoration to the uniform of the gallant soldier, who was already wearing the Soudan and Bronze Egyptian Cross. The distinction was won by Sergeant Williams at the engagement at Abu Klea on January 17th - the action in which Colonel Burnaby was killed. As the square, which was hotly pressed by the enemy, kept moving onward, Sergeant Williams and other members of his little corps, about 15 in number, heroically rushed from time to time from the ranks, and rescued some 80 or 90 wounded soldiers lying upon the field. These were occasionally left some distance in the rear of their fighting comrades, and, while they were conveying them to the shelter of the square Sergeant Williams and the Medical Staff Corps were exposed to the galling fire of the Soudanese, who were only 400 or 500 yards away.’
Charles Robert Williams enlisted for the General Infantry at Liverpool on 27 August 1877. On 3 September 1877, he transferred to the Army Hospital Corps as No 3520 Private Charles Robert Williams. He listed his place of birth as Shandon, County Cork, his age as 17 years and 2 months and his occupation as clerk. From 7 August 1882 until 8 October 1882 he served in Egypt. His attestation papers show him leaving Egypt for England on 9 October 1882 and returning back to Egypt on 28 November 1882. It must be assumed that this voyage back to England was to accompany and attend to the wounded from the battle of Tel.-El-Kebir and other actions. He remained in Egypt until 23 June 1887. He was promoted Corporal 1 April 1878 and Sergeant 1 January 1882.
Beyond the reach of Empire by Colonel Mike Snook tells the story of the Gordon Relief Campaign. The Battles of Abu Klea and Abu Kru are examined in unprecedented detail. Using both known and previously unknown sources it shines an atmospheric light on these two short but violent battles. One of the previously unknown sources comes from Sergeant Charles Williams of the Army Hospital Corps, whose manuscript forms part of the Toy family archive. Sergeant Williams relates several aspects of the battles and the part that he played in them. Some passages of his manuscript relate to the more unpleasant and controversial deeds of the medical staff with respect to the fate of those seriously wounded and dying.
On 8 January 1885, to a chorus of ‘good wishes’, the Desert Column, under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Herbert Stewart, K. C.B., set off to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum. Sergeant Charles Williams was part of the Army Medical Department made up of No. 1 Moveable Field Hospital and two sections of the Medical Bearer Company. After a stop at Jakdul Wells the full Desert Column, now consisting of 115 officers, 1687 other ranks, 343 native workers, 162 ponies and 2,888 camels, headed for Abu Klea Wells which they reached on 16 January 1885. Forming a zariba, the column spent an uncomfortable night taking an incoming desultory but annoying accurate fire from the Ansar (Followers of the Mahdi).
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