Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare battle of Tamaii C.G.M. group of four awarded to Chief Gunner’s Mate William Rolfe, Royal Navy, for services with the Gatling Gun detachment of the Naval Brigade

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (Wil... Rolfe, Grs. Mate, H.M.S. Euryalus) officially impressed naming; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (W. Rolfe, Leadg. Sean. H.M.S. “Shah”); Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai (W. Ro..., .unrs. Mate, H.M.S. ....alus); Khedive‘s Star 1882, edge bruising and pitting from star with some loss of naming detail, therefore fine or better (4) £9000-12000

One of only 4 C.G.Ms. awarded for the Sudan Campaign of 1884, all for the battle of Tamaii, 13 March 1884: ‘Gunner Rolfe had a hand to hand encounter with one of the enemy, eventually despatching him.’

William Rolfe was born in 1854 and joined the Royal Navy as an underage Volunteer in April 1870. He re-engaged in October 1882 and was promoted steadily though the various ratings, specialising in gunnery, becoming Leading Seaman in 1877, Petty Officer 2nd Class in 1879, Petty Officer 1st Class in 1880, Gunner’s Mate in 1881, and Chief Gunner’s Mate in 1886.

Rolfe served in several vessels and was in Shah when he served with the Naval Brigade during the Zulu War in 1879. Serving with the Gatling Gun detachment he was present at the relief of Eshowe and at the battle of Gingindlove, when the boxer cartridges caused jamming problems to the Gatlings. He served aboard H.M.S. Euryalus during the Egypt campaign of 1882, and with the Naval Brigade in the Sudan campaign of 1884, when he was present with the Gatlings at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaii. For his services at the latter battle he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 6 May 1884) and awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Rolfe received the medal for long service and good conduct in 1890 and retired from the Navy on 20 October 1892.