The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Three: Queen’s Sudan 1896 (3339 Sgt. H. Evans, R.M.A.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Hugh Evans, Colr. Sergt., No.3339 R.M.A.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Sudan 1897 (Sgt., R.M.A.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine and rare (3)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Hugh Evans was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, in October 1867, and was a Clerk prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines. He joined the Recruit Depot at Walmer on 24 February 1887 and on completion of training was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private on 27 February 1888. He embarked aboard his first ship H.M.S. INFLEXIBLE on 18 July 1889 and disembarked to the Depot (September 1889) prior to joining COLLINGWOOD (November 1889) where he was promoted to Bombardier on 8 August 1890. He returned to the RMA Depot in September 1892 and was promoted to Corporal on 21 April 1893. He next embarked aboard RUPERT (October 1894), and THUNDERER (May 1895) and was promoted to Sergeant in April 1896 prior to disembarking to the RMA Depot.

He was transferred to the Egyptian Army as an Instructor in May 1897 and served in Egypt and the Sudan for ten years. He was discharged from the Corps whilst in Egypt on 24 February 1908 having completed 18 years adult service. He had been awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in July 1902 after 15 years service, named to him in the rank of Colour Sergeant RMA. He was present at numerous actions in the Sudan and his service record carries the following note:

‘Recommended to the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty by Lord Kitchener Sirdar of the Egyptian Army for Meritorious Service during the Sudan Campaigns of 1897 and 1898. Specially promoted to Colour Sergeant in consequence.’

He was called up for War service on 10 August 1917 at the age of 59 and joined H.M.S. QUEEN on 20 September 1917. He transferred to the Royal Marine Artillery Headquarters on 9 December 1918 and was demobilised on 26 February 1919. His papers show entitlement to the additional clasp for ‘Khartoum’ and he is also entitled to the British War Medal.