Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, the reverse engraved ‘BERKS 849’ as awarded to Private J. McGrath, Royal Berkshire Regiment who saw service in Egypt during the Egyptian War being present during the Suakin 1885 operations which lasted from 1st March to 14th May 1885 including being in the action at Tofrek on 22nd March 1885.
Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, the reverse engraved ‘BERKS 849’
Condition: heavily corroded, poor.
John McGrath was born in Whitechapel, London and attested on 23rd July 1883 fiving his trade as a shoemaker and subsequently seeing service as a Private (No. 849) with the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He would initially serve at home in the UK and would be convicted of desertion on 7th July 1884 subsequently being imprisoned until 31st August 1884.
He travelled to Egypt on 7th October 1884, subsequently taking part in the Egyptian War where he would present during the Suakin 1885 operations which lasted from 1st March to 14th May 1885, including being in the action at Tofrek on 22nd March 1885. He would later be tried and convicted again, this time on 21st September 1885 for disobeying a lawful command, and subsequently spending two weeks in prison.
He would leave Egypt for Cyprus on 1st June 1886 remaining there until 2nd February 1888, and then travelling to Malta where he served from 3rd February 1888 until 10th April 1892. Returning home the UK he would be discharged on 4th December 1895 having been imprisoned by a Civil Power for a Felony on 16th August 1895.
