Full medal write up
EGYPT 1882-9, DATED REVERSE, CLASP TEL-EL-KEBIR ‘D. BURBAGE.PTE, RM.’
Private David Burbage served with 38 Company, Royal Marines in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882 and was wounded in action at the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir, on 13 September 1882. The Royal Marines played a significant role in the 1882 Egyptian campaign, none less so than at the battle of Tel-El-Kebir, where during the assault on the enemy positions;
"the Royal Marines advanced without firing a shot up to within 100 yards of the parapet. The Marines seized and held the parapet, but the enemy stubbornly kept their ground in a formed body, 50 feet distant" Major-General Graham reported, "The steadiness of the advance of the 2nd.Brigade, (2nd.Bn. Royal Irish Regiment, Royal Marine Light Infantry; 2nd.Bn. York & Lancashire Regiment and 1st.Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers), under what appeared to be an utterly overwhelming fire of musketry and artillery will remain a proud remembrance."
The Royal Marines casualties were 2 Officers and 3 men killed, 1 Officer and 52 wounded and a further 21 posted missing. A higher number of casualties than even any of the Highland Brigade regiments that suffered so severely.
Burbage is also entitled to the South Africa 1877-9 Medal, without clasp, for service in H.M.S. Orontes . Casualty rolls misspelt ‘Burbridge’, both medal rolls ‘Burbage’, clearly the same man as no other man with similar spelling of surname.
Condition NVF, contact marks from star and one time cleaned. Sold with copy rolls and casualty confirmation. Medal was sent to H.M.S. Asia on 6 June 1883. Ex DNW 2008.