Egypt & Sudan Medal reverse dated 1882 clasp Tel-El-Kebir
1043 Sh Smith J Berry 1st Life Gds
Khedives Star dated 1882
Unnamed as awarded
Egypt Medal dated 1882 clasp Tel-El-Kebir confirmed on the Medal roll of the 1st Life Guards TNA WO100/55 page 35.
James Berry is recorded as a Recruit with the 1st Life Guards serving at Regent’s Park Barracks London in the 1881 Military census TNA WO16/1133 refers. He is supposed to have been born in Bow, London and the 1911 census record he is a 51 year old Carter (Flour and Corn Carrier) residing with his wife Alice, 2 sons and 1 daughter at 20 Loftie Street, Bermondsey, London.
His discharge papers do not record where born but do record he was discharged from his Regiment 9th February 1886 with Bad Character having been convicted by the civil power of burglary. James previously had twice been entered in the Regiment’s Defaulters Book and was once tried and convicted by Court Martial. He is described as having the trade of Shoeing Smith, total service 7 years 30 days, in possession of a 4th Class Army Education Certificate, 6 feet 1 3/4 inches tall, sallow complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair, in possession of the Egypt Medal clasp Tel-El-Kebir and Bronze Khedive of Egypt’s Star, age on discharge 27 years TNA WO400/8 refers.
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The First Battle of Kassassin (28th August 1882): Egyptian troops surprised the British and attacked their position, leading to the famous “Moonlight Charge” by the Household Cavalry (1st and 2nd Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards) and the 7th Dragoon Guards. The Charge commanded by figures like General Drury Drury-Lowe and Colonel Ewart, the cavalry overran Egyptian artillery and captured 11 guns. the second Engagement (9th September 1882): Urabi launched another unsuccessful assault on the railway line before retreating back to his trenches. These British victories at Kassassin allowed Lieutenant General Sir Garnet Wolseley to stage his forces for the decisive Battle of Tell El Kebir on 13th September 1882.
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1st Life Guards at the battle of Tel-El-Kebir 13th September 1882 painting by Thomas Davidson RA (1842-1919)
From: The Windsor and Eton Express 26th December 1886 page 2
BURGLARY BY A LIFEGUARDSMAN
On Thursday night last a burglary was committed at The Duke if Edinburgh Inn, Winkfield. It seems that the Landlord Mr James Easton, went to bed about 10.30, having seen that the doors and windows were properly secured. On rising next morning, he was surprised to find an iron punch, which had been left in his forge close by, lying on the bar counter. This aroused his suspicion , and on making a search, he found that his house had been broken into at the bacon room window, a large one of glass in which had been smashed and an iron bar removed. Mr Easton missed a large ham, a quantity of tobacco, cigars, pipes, and fusees, and some oranges and cakes. He also discovered the forge window had been broken , and it is supposed the burglar first visited the smithy and took the punch, and with this implement effected an entrance to the house through the bacon room window. Mr Eaton quickly apprised Superintendent Ironmonger of what had occurred and that officer promptly despatched Sergeant Curl , Constable Skeats and other constables to scour the neighbourhood, and eventually the Windsor police arrested a Trooper of the 1st Life Guards named James Berry, and found in his possession all the articles stolen. Berry’s Regiment was stationed at Knightsbridge, and he had been entertained by Mr Easton, who had formerly been his comrade, for two days. He is a fine stalwart soldier of about 6 feet 3 inches and had been a sergeant, but was reduced to Trooper. He was wearing at the time of his arrest decorations for services in India (sic) (should be Egypt). Berry was taken to Maidenhead on Friday morning and was charged with the offence before Captain Robson. After evidence was taken the prisoner was remanded until Tuesday, when he was again brought up and committed for trial.
From: The Gloucester Citizen 21st December 1885 page 3
ALLEGED BURGLARY BY A LIFEGUARDSMAN
James Berry a Trooper of the First Life Guards, was charged at the Maidenhead County Police Court on Saturday, with having committed a burglary at The Duke of Edinburgh Public House , Winkfirld near Maidenhead. Berry, it is alleged entered the house by breaking a pane of glass in the bacon room and forcing his body through after displacing an iron bar. He was captured at Windsor, where stolen articles were found on him. He pleaded that he had been reduced from Sergeant, and did not like to go back to his Regiment, which is now stationed at Knightsbridge. The house he broke into was kept by an old comrade who had entertained him for two days. Berry was remanded.
From: The London Evening News 12th January 1886 page 4
A LIFEGUARDSMAN SENT TO GOAL
The opening of the Assizes for the Oxford Circuit took place yesterday. Mr Justice Wills presiding. James Berry a Private (sic) in the 1st Life Guards, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary committed at Winkfield, at the home of a comrade on the 18th ult. The proceeds of the burglary were tobacco and other articles. As the accused had hitherto Bourne a good character, he was severely reprimanded and only sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour.
A total of 159 Egypt and Sudan Medals dated 1882 to the 1st Life Guards and 109 clasps Telk-El-Kebir.
Contact wear over ‘FE’ of Life from Khedives Star otherwise light pitting
VF & better £475 SOLD
