Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An interesting Egypt campaign group of three awarded to Mr H. R. Baines, Secretary of the Administration of the Railways in Cairo, 1882-83

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (H. R. Baines); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fourth Class breast badge, silver, gold, and enamel, mint mark to reverse, with rosette on riband; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, mounted as originally worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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J. Tamplin Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2003.

Henry Robert Baines was the Secretary of the Administration of the Railways in Cairo in 1882-83. He was awarded the Order of the Medjidieh, 4th Class, by the Khedive of Egypt, and was granted licence and permission to accept and wear this insignia London Gazette 15 July 1884.

Baines is mentioned numerous times in various railway journals and publications in the late 1890s, including:

‘Mr. Baines commenced his railway career with the Chatham & Dover Company, and was also connected with the Great Eastern for some time. He subsequently entered the service of Egyptian Railways, where, as in his work in Turkey, his knowledge of French, German and Italian were of great value to him. By the directors his work for the Smyrna & Cassaba Company has been much appreciated, and hardly a meeting has passed without the chairman cordially acknowledging the value of his services.’ (The Railway News 1896, Vol. 64 refers)

‘Egyptian Light Railway: The first section of the Delta Light Railway was opened on the 5th inst. in the Beherah Province, and it will not be long before the railway will compete with camel and cart transport, throughout the province. The ceremony, which excited great interest amongst the natives, was presided over by Mr H. R. Baines general manager of the company, and attended by the governor of the province, with a number of other high native officials, also crowds of fellaheen riding in the third-class carriages. The line which has a 73 centimetre or 29 inch gauge, is laid upon the government agricultural roads, of which it has to follow the not inconsiderable sinucities.’ (Railway Times 1898, Vol. 73 refers)

Sold with copied research.