A FINE AND RARE SUDAN 1884 GROUP TO A 19TH HUSSARS CAPTAIN FOR THE VC ACTION AT EL-TEB. M.I.D. FOR LEADING HIS SQUADRON IN THE CHARGE, DURING THE DESPERATE HAND TO HAND FIGHTING, HE WAS NOTED FOR BEING PERSONALLY ENGAGED WITH THREE OF THE ENEMY AT ONE TIME, DURING WHICH HE AND HIS HORSE WERE WOUNDED. LATER COMMANDING HIS REGIMENT, AS BRIGADIER-GENERAL, COMMANDED A CAVALRY BRIGADE DURING THE EARLY OPERATIONS OF THE BOER WAR, INCLUDING THE 1899 ACTIONS AT RIETFONTEIN AND THE BATTLE OF LOMBARD'S KOP BEFORE COMMANDING THE CAVALRY DURING THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH

EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, 1882 REVERSE, CLASPS TEL-El-KEBIR, SUAKIN 1884, ELTEB_ TAMAAI ‘CAPT: C.B.H. JENKINS. 19TH HUSSARS’, KHEDIVE’S STAR, UNDATED, UNNAMED AS ISSUED, OTTOMAN EMPIRE, ORDER OF THE MEDJIDIE, FOURTH CLASS BREAST BADGE, SILVER, GILT AND ENAMELS, QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899, 5 CLASPS, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, LAING’S NEK, BELFAST, SOUTH AFRICA 1901 ‘COL: C.B.H. WOLSELEY-JENKINS. 19/HRS.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 May 1884

“Captain Jenkins took command of the left wing after Colonel Barrow was wounded. He led the first squadron in the charge and was personally engaged with three of the enemy at one time and his horse was wounded in three places with assegais. By his gallantry and conduct this officer set a good example to all under his command.”

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 February 1901; General Buller’s despatch:

“Lieut.-Colonel C. B. H. Wolseley-Jenkins. A good commander, with considerable initiative and quick grasp of the situation.”

Charles Bradford Harries Jenkins was born in Shropshire on 17 March 1856. Born to a military family, he was the Son of Major General Charles Vanbrugh Jenkins, 19th Hussars and nephew of Vice Admiral Robert Jenkins C.B., Educated at King’s School, Canterbury before attending Sandhurst Military College, he was commissioned Lieutenant, 19th Hussars, on 13 June 1874 and advanced to Captain on 1 July 1881. In 1882, Captain Jenkins, now a troop commander, embarked for Egypt with his Regiment to join a British expedition led by Lt. Gen. Sir Garnet Wolseley. As well as reconnaissance and minor skirmishes, the 19th took part in the decisive battle at Tel-el-Kebir. One Troop of the 19th Hussars was detailed as Sir Garnet Wolseley's personal escort throughout the campaign. In 1884 the Regiment, who had stayed on in Egypt, was shipped down the Red Sea from Egypt to the Sudan to fight the Mahdi. Brigaded with the 10th Hussars, they were conspicuous for their gallantry at the battle for the village of El Teb.

During the battle, the Hussars charged the enemy positions but were confronted by the Mahdist appearing before them from behind bushes or unseen trenches. Another tactic used by the Mahdist was to pretend to lie dead on the battlefield as British cavalry charged through, then, as the cavalry returned at a slower pace back through the ranks of the 'dead', the Mahdists would rise up and slit the hamstrings of the horses then proceed to kill the riders. This lead to a confused struggle with the tribesmen and in the broken country covered by thorn bushes, the cavalry suffered heavy casualties. During this fighting, Colonel Barrow of the 19th was badly wounded with a spear through his arm pinning it to his side and Captain Jenkins took command, leading his squadron in the charge and was personally engaged with three of the enemy at one time, during which he and his horse were wounded.

British casualties amounted to 172 killed and wounded, with the 19th Hussars loosing 37 Officers and men, these being by far the highest casualty figure suffered by any Regiment. The Victoria Cross was awarded to Quarter Master Sergeant William Marshall of the 19th Hussars for gallantry in saving Colonel Barrow during the battle, as were several D.C.M’s.

For his services in the Sudan at El-Teb, Captain Jenkins was one of three Officers of the 19th Hussars Mentioned in Despatches and he additionally received the 4th Class Order of the Medjidie, the only Officer of the 19th Hussars to be so honoured. He was also awarded the Brevet of Major on 21 May 1884 ‘in recognition of services during recent operations in the Soudan’……………..

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITEUP

Condition, Egypt F only; all naming details fine but overall much pitting from star and probably repinned. The Star/Medijdie VF and QSA GVF, the latter unsurprising as he would have worn it for less time as was issued at the end of his service. Medals were sold by the family in 2022.

Wolseley-Jenkins father’s medal group was sold at Spink in 2019:
https://www.spink.com/lot/19001000597in

A superb and rare cavalry officer casualty and gallantry group of medals for the famed VC action at El- Teb, not to mention his later services as a senior Officer during the opening operations of the Boer War.