A rare Queen’s and Khedive’s Sudan medal pair to Shoeing-smith Peter Skelton, 21st Lancers who rode with “D” Squadron in the historic charge at Omdurman, and suffered sword wounds to the left hand in the action.
Pair: Queen’s Sudan 1896-8 (3526 S: S: P. SKELTON, 21/LANCERS); Khedive’s Sudan, 1896-8, 1 clasp Khartoum (3526 S.S. P. SKELTON 21st Lcrs.)
Condition: Official correction to rank on the first, light contact wear and minor edge bruising, Very Fine.
Provenance: Christies, London, 2 Nov 1983; Liverpool Coin and Medal, May 1985; Spink, July 2000.
Peter Skelton [1904 discharge documents show Skilton) attested for the 21st Lancers in 1892 and was serving as a Shoeing Smith in the regiment at the time of the 1896-8 Sudan campaign. He rode with “D” Squadron in the famous charge at Omdurman. Under the heading of “Following is a list of casualties among non-commissioned officers and rank and file at Omdurman, September 2”, in the London Gazette covering the Sudan campaign, it states:
3526 Shoeing-smith P. Skelton, sword wound left hand.
“D” Squadron suffered the highest number of deaths at Omdurman, with 11 killed and 13 wounded, although “B” Squadron had the most casualties overall with 9 killed and 25 wounded, one of whom later died. These two squadrons were at the centre of the line and entered the khor at its widest point where it was most densely packed with Dervishes. “D” Squadron survivors also suffered the most gruesome injuries; Skelton’s being relatively mild in comparison to those suffered by Sergeant Freeman, for example, who was struck by a blow to the face that sliced through his nose, one cheek, and his lip, leaving these hanging from his face on bloody strings and blood covering his chin, neck and shoulders!
He was discharged on 14 Nov 1904 on completion of his 12 tear term of enlistment and was at that time serving as a Corporal in “C” Squadron. His ‘Conduct and Character while with the colour’s was described as Very Good and in the ‘Special qualifications for employment in civil life’ section it stated, “Good, Blacksmith.”
He was discharged in England at Hounslow.