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Lot

№ 683

.

24 October 2014

Hammer Price:
£1,900

A rare Kirbekan D.C.M. awarded to Private W. Asbury, 1/South Staffordshire Regiment, in which action he was severely wounded

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (2245 Pte. W. Asbury, 1/So. Staffs. R., 10th Feb. 1885), minor official correction to ‘10th’, good very fine £2500-3000

D.C.M. submitted to the Queen 5 May 1885 (GO 61/85).

An account of Asbury’s gallantry at Kirbekan appeared in
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph on Thursday 19 March 1885:

‘Where all ranks displayed such courage and devotion it is hard to particularise individuals; Private Asbury, D Company, Staffordshire, was wounded in the side before reaching the bottom of the hill, and received a second wound in the leg, when on the top; though suffering from great pain, he continued firing steadily and well.’

He was entitled to the Egypt & Sudan Medal 1882-89, dated reverse, with clasps for ‘The Nile 1884-85’ and ‘Kirbekan’ (the official roll refers).

Probably a later duplicate issue. Complete group is known to exist. Revised estimate £1500-2000