Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The Egypt and Sudan campaign medal awarded to Armourer W. J. Miller, Royal Navy, killed in action by a Dervish spear as one of the Gardner Gun team under Lord Charles Beresford at the battle of Abu Klea on 17 January 1885

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (W. J. Miller, Armr. H.M.S. “Monarch”.) some light scratches in obverse field, otherwise toned, nearly extremely fine £4,000-£5,000

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

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Walter Joseph Miller was born at St Heliers, Jersey, on 30 January 1857, and joined the Navy as Armourer’s Crew on 9 September 1875. He was appointed Armourer in Monarch on 12 January 1882. He was the Armourer in the Gardner Gun team under Captain Lord Charles Beresford, R.N. at the battle of Abu Klea and was killed when they were overrun by dervishes. He was aged 26 years and is commemorated on a cross in the St Mary Extra cemetery, Southampton.

4 officers and 55 Royal Navy ratings were present at the battle of Abu Klea on 17 January 1885, and had 2 officers and 6 ratings killed, and 7 ratings wounded.

Soon after 9 a.m. on January 17th the square moved off under a very annoying fire from the left flank, and advanced about two miles. Presently, as a low hill was cleared, a line of flags was seen planted along the edge of some high grass, not much more than 400 yards from the left flank of the square, which was thereupon halted in order that its rear might close up. Almost instantly a V-shaped mass of dervishes, estimated to number 6000, sprang from the grass, and, encouraged by about 40 horsemen, charged at a great pace over the intervening ground. Beresford promptly ran his Gardner from the centre of the rear face to a point on the flank, near the left rear corner of the square, and opened fire; and, as the square closed up, he and his men were left just outside it. After firing about forty rounds, he perceived that the gun had rather too much elevation, and ordered " cease fire," in order that the error might be corrected. About thirty rounds more had been fired, with excellent effect, when the gun jammed, owing to the extractor of one of the barrels pulling off the head of a discharged cartridge, and leaving the cylinder in the chamber. The Arabs were then but 200 yards from the detachment. Says Lord Charles [in his despatch] :-

"The captain of the gun (Rhodes, Chief Boatswain's Mate) and myself unscrewed the plate to clear the barrel, or take the lock of the jammed barrel out, when the enemy were upon us. Rhodes was killed with a spear. Walter Miller, armourer, I also saw killed with a spear at the same moment on my left...”

Sold with copied record of service and other research.