The Egypt and Sudan pair awarded to Petty Officer Patrick Collins, Royal Navy, one of only 12 men of the Royal Navy present with the Nile Flotilla at Kirbekan

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, The Nile 1884-85, Kirbekan (P. Collins, A.B, H.M.S. “Invincible”); Khedive's Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, some pitting from Star, otherwise nearly very fine and very rare (2) £2,400-£2,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

Palmer War Medal Collection catalogue 1914; Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

Only 12 Kirbekan clasps issued to the Royal Navy.

Patrick Collins was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, on 17 May 1862. He entered the Service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard the training ship H.M.S. Impregnable on 19 September 1878, aged 16 years. He transferred to Ganges October 1878 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 17 December 1878. On advancement to Ordinary Seaman on 25 May 1880, he served aboard Royal Adelaide May 1880, Hercules August 1880, Warrior May 1881, Royal Adelaide October 1881, Hecla March 1882, and Invincible May 1882. During service in the latter vessel he was present at the bombardment of Alexandria on the 11 July 1882, and was advanced to Able Seaman on 1 August 1882, and also awarded the Egypt Medal with clasp 'Alexandria 11 July' and Khedives Star 1882.

In the rate of Able Seaman he transferred to Monarch October 1884, for service with the Nile Flotilla and was present at the battle of Kirbekan on 10 February 1885 (awarded the clasps 'The Nile 1884-85' and 'Kirbekan'). He was next posted to Excellent in June 1885 for a Gunnery Course, and on passing joined Pylades in August 1886. Returned to Excellent November 1889, where he was rated Acting Captain of Gun and in this rate he next joined Asia in January 1890.

He was transferred to the Coast Guard Service as a Boatman at Shannon in January 1890, served at Limerick, Knockalla in July 1893, and Newhaven, Chichester Harbour January 1896. In the latter posting he was advanced to Commissioned Boatman and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct medal on 5 May 1898, as a member of the Coast Guard Service. The lateness of receiving the award was due to a character rating of 'good' in 1882 necessitating a restart in his 15 years of continuous 'very good' character rating required for the award of the medal.

Collins transferred to Milford July 1898 and Lymington June 1900. Served on this station until 4 July 1902 when he was pensioned ashore having completed 22 years adult service. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth on 5 July 1902, and was reengaged as a Petty Officer 1st Class pensioner on 13 July 1902. He served aboard Australia for duty with the Boom Defence Service at Southampton. He transferred to Apollo January 1903 and served until discharged to shore on 28 May 1904. By this time his adult service had risen to 23 years. He continued to serve with the Royal Fleet Research and was mobilised on the 2 August 1914 aboard Victory I. Being over 50 years of age he was immediately released from active service.
Sold with copied record of service.