Naval General Service Medal |Egypt Clasp | Midshipman

Naval General Service Medal with Egypt Clasp to Midshipman S.R.Cahill. The medal with Egypt clasp and complete with the Naval General service Medal ribbon.

Condition report: The medal in excellent to near mint condition (lightly polished). The swivel suspension in good order. All detail remaining to the disc, along with good sharp edges free from major knocks. The impressing, ‘S.R.CAHILL, MIDSHIPMAN.’ Clear and sharp. An old silk ribbon in excellent overall condition completes the medal.

Notes on S.R.Cahill: Richard Cahill entered service with the Royal Navy on 16th January 1801 (Class of Boys). Between 8th March to 2nd September 1801, Cahill was serving aboard the HMS Trusty, a 50 gun fourth rate ship. On the 26th August 1801, whilst serving aboard HMS Trusty, Cahill was promoted to the rank of Midshipman.

Notes on the Egyption Campaign: In 1801 the British decided to drive the French from Egypt, and an expeditionary force under General Sir Ralph Abercrombie landed at Aboukir on 8 March. On 21 March the French navy were defeated at the Battle of Alexandria (Abercromby being wounded during the battle, and dieing of his wounds seven days later), while the French General Menou was besieged in the city.

The Anglo-Indian expeditionary force from Bombay reached Jeddah on 17th May where they were joined by a contingent from the Cape of Good Hope. The force reached Kosseir on 8th June and marched across the desert to Kenna. The French General Belliard surrendered Cairo on 27th June and the Indian contingent joined the forces at the Siege of Alexandria. The French General Menou surrendered to General Hely-Hutchinson on 30th August. The French army was allowed to evacute Egypt.

Provenance: Sold at the Glendenning sale of October 1939, and again at the Sotheby’s sale of March 1982. Cahill is verified both on the Douglas Morris roll, and the Colin Message roll. Cahill was a unique name throughout the entire N.G.S. roll. Copies of National Archives documents included in the sale.