medal code J2825

Full medal write up

link to medal write-up
back to previous page

A FINE EGYPT 1882 TO A CAPTAIN IN THE 79TH QUEEN’S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS WHO COMMANDED A COMPANY AT THE BATTLE OF TEL-ELKEBIR, 13 SEPTEMBER 1882., WHERE HIS REGIMENT AS PART OF THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE AND SUFFERED THE 2ND HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASUALTIES OF ANY REGIMENT PRESENT

EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, DATED REVERSE, 1 CLASP, TEL-EL-KEBIR ‘CAPT F. S. CHAPMAN 1ST BN CAM’N: HIGHRS’

Frederick Stovin Chapman was Commissioned Ensign in the 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers on 2 May 1868. He was promoted Lieutenant, 27 October 1871, Captain, 1 October 1880 and transferred top the 79th Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on 29 October 1881. Captain Chapman commanded a company of the 1st Battalion throughout the Egyptian Campaign of 1882, and was present at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, 13 September 1882. On 16 January 1885, he was seconded to the Army Pay Department and retired from the Army in June 1888. He died at Philbeach Gardens, South Kensington, on the 8 February 1904, aged 55 years.

Army List entry:

“CHAPMAN. Frederick Stovin Chapman. Exchanged as captain from the 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers, 29th of October, 1881. Served with the Cameron Highlanders in the Egyptian war of 1882 from the landing at Ismailia, and was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. (Medal with clasp and Khedive's star.)”

Records of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, Vol. I:

‘The weird night march upon Tel-el-Kebir, long to be retained in the annals of the regiment and the country, can never be forgotten by those who took part in it: the monotonous tramp, the sombre lines, the dimly discerned sea of desert faintly lighted by the stars, were at once ghostly and impressive. The pace was necessarily slow; one halt was made and, shortly afterwards, the directing star having become concealed, another one was chosen, and the direction slightly change to the right. Just as dawn was breaking two shots were fired from the left front, and Private Pollock of the regiment fell dead. It was now evident that the regiment was close upon the enemy. Bayonets were at once fixed. In a few seconds these two shots were followed by others; the bugles of the Egyptian rang out, shells screamed above, and a line of fire poured from the enemy’s trenches. The 79th moved steadily on in an unbroken line, not a shot was fired in reply; but on the “advance” from the brigade being sounded, Lieutenant- Colonel Leith galloped to the front, waving his sword and crying, “Come on, 79th!” Breaking into double time, to the shrill music of the pipes, and cheering as they ran, the regiment charged the enemy’s lines. Flash after flash continued along the line until the bayonets of the 79th had done their work, and the inside of the trench was full of dead and dying. Daylight was breaking, and the regiment moving to the left cleared the trench, and drove back the enemy in confusion through a small camp in rear of it.’

At the storming of Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September 1882 the Cameron Highlanders lost 17 other ranks killed or mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 44 other ranks wounded. This was the 2nd highest number of casualties suffered by any Regiment during the battle with only the Highland Light Infantry sufCondition GVF, very minor contact marks from Star or better. Sold with copy gazettes and the Military history of the campaign of 1882 in Egypt, War Office on CD. A very fine medal awarded to Company Commanders of one of the regiments most heavily engaged at the battle of Tel-El-Kebirfering more.

Code J2825        Price £995