Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Abu Klea’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major R. O. Chislett, 19th Hussars

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Sergt. R. O. Chislett. 19th. Husrs. Jan: & Feb: 1885.) edge bruise, light contact marks; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 5 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (1340. Sergt. R. O. Chislett. 19th. Hussars); Khedive’s Star 1882, reverse impressed ‘1340. Sergt. R O Chislett 19th. Hrs.’, small collector’s number ‘3 1281’ to first two, otherwise good very fine (3) £4000-5000

Provenance: Ex Royal United Services Institute Collection; Sotheby’s, October 1983 and Glendinning’s, March 1996.

D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen, 7 November 1885 (General Order 127 of 1885), ‘In recognition of gallant conduct during the recent operations in the Soudan.’

Robert Oakley Chislett was born in Poole, Dorset. He attested for the 19th Hussars at Bow Street in February 1873. Chislett advanced to Sergeant in November 1880. He served with the Regiment in Egypt and the Sudan, August 1882 - June 1886, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry during operations in the Sudan in January and February 1885, most probably for the Battle of Abu Klea, 17 January 1885.

Having subsequently served in the East Indies for nearly three years, Chislett returned to the UK and advanced to Squadron Sergeant Major in February 1894. He transferred in the same rank to the Cumberland and Westmoreland Yeomanry in August 1894, and was discharged 31 March 1895, having served for 22 years and 56 days.