Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colonel J. F. Forster, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, The Nile 1884-85 (Major, J. F. Forster. 2/D of C.L.I.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, minor edge bruising and light pitting, generally very fine, the Suakin clasp rare to unit (2) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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One of only 6 ‘Suakin 1884’ clasps awarded to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, and the only Officer to receive the clasp.

James FitzEustace Forster was born at Swords House, Swords, County Dublin on 27 September 1834, the only son of Joshua M. Forster of St. Croix, West Indies. He purchased a commission as Ensign in the Ceylon Rifles on 19 December 1862, and served in Ceylon from 30 March 1863 to 11 May 1866. On 14 September 1866, Forster next purchased a Lieutenancy in the 1st West India Regiment, with which regiment he served in Hong Kong, exchanging to the 4th West India Regiment on 30 March 1867, serving with them in the West Indies. He purchased his Captaincy in this regiment on 16 September 1868, only to be placed on half-pay on reduction of the unit on 30 December 1869. He was restored to the active list on 19 June 1872, when he joined the 46th Regiment of Foot, and was promoted Major in the 46th on 1 July 1881.

Forster served with the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (as the 46th Foot had become) during the Egypt Campaign of 1882, and took part in the reconnaissance in force from Alexandria on 5 August 1882. He also served in the engagements at El Magfar on 24 August and Tel-el-Maskhuta on 25 August, and in the famous night action at Kassassin on 28 August 1882, where he was severely wounded by gunshot to the thigh. For his services in this campaign he was awarded the Egypt Medal without clasp and the Khedive's Star. He saw further service in the Soudan Expedition of 1884, serving with the Transport Department, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 6 May 1884). He was promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 May 1884, and received the clasp Suakin 1884 to his Egypt Medal, the only officer from the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry to receive this clasp.

Forster rejoined his battalion and saw further service during the the Gordon Relief Expedition of 1884-85, taking part in the operations of the advanced column under Major General Earle, for which he was awarded the clasp The Nile 1884-85. He was promoted substantive Lieutenant Colonel on 30 November 1884, and Brevet Colonel on 21 May 1888, commanding the Battalion at some point. He retired on 27 September 1889.

A Justice of the Peace and a Deputy Lieutenant for County Dublin, Forster died in Dublin on 1 April 1915, aged 81.

Sold with a small Carte de Visite studio portrait photograph of the recipient; a photographic image of the recipient wearing his medals; and copied research.