Medals for the Egypt and Sudan Campaigns from the collection of Colin Narbeth

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (959 L/Corp. T. Conn, 2/Essex R.) slight edge bruising and pitting, about very fine (2) £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for the Egypt and Sudan Campaigns from the collection of Colin Narbeth.

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Lance-Corporal Thomas Conn was the subject of a rescue which resulted in the award of a Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze to Private Joseph Finney, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment.

‘7.30 p.m. 5 August 1884, The Nile at Keneh, Upper Egypt: The Regiment was proceeding up the River in a Steamer, and 2 barges which had stopped for the night. The barges were moored about 25 yds. behind the Steamer. Corporal Conn was bathing when the current carried him between the two barges. Private Finney seeing Conn being carried under the barges and in imminent danger of drowning, dived off the bank and pulled him from underneath the boats. He succeeded in holding him up until rope was thrown to them. The Salvor was partially dressed and the current was very strong’. The act of rescue was witnessed by Private J. Keys; the case recommended by Lieutenant Princep, Essex Regiment, who had lately received the Bronze Medal for a similar act; the case sent by Lieutenant-Colonel White, commanding. Sold with letter from the R.H.S. providing details; together with a Royal Humane Society Medal, small, bronze, successful, unnamed.