History

The Khedive’s Sudan Medal was instituted by Khedive Abbas Hilmi Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, and established by Special Army Order on February 12, 1897. It was originally created to commemorate the reconquest of Dongola province in 1896 but was later authorized for campaigns up until 1908 and awarded for service during the reconquest of Sudan.

The Khedive’s Sudan Medal was awarded with 15 possible clasps that denoted the campaign in both Arabic and English:

1. “FIRKET”
2. “HAFIR”
3. “ABU HAMED”
4. “SUDAN 1897”
5. “THE ATBARA”
6. “KHARTOUM”
7. “GEDAREF”
8. “GEDID”
9. “SUDAN 1899”
10. “BAHR-EL-GHAZAL 1900-02”
11. “JEROK”
12. “NYAM-NYAM”
13. “TALODI”
14. “KATFIA”
15. “NYIMA”

Silver Medals were awarded to British and Egyptian soldiers, while Bronze Medals were awarded to noncombatants. Bronze Medals were issued without a clasp.

Recipients of the Silver Medal who fought at or South of Sarras from March 30 to September 23, 1896, or in Brigadier General Egerton’s Force were not eligible for a clasp. There may be additional recipients of the Silver Medal who were not eligible for a clasp.

The Silver Medal features an obverse Arabic inscription that translates to, “Abbas Hilmi the Second AH 1314,” and a reverse Arabic inscription that translates to, “The Reconquest of the Sudan AH 1314”.

A variety of different naming styles were used. It is believed that the Medal was largely issued unnamed to members of the British army and named to Indian troops. Medals that have been privately altered may be encountered.

Medals with 2 or more clasps issued to British troops are very rare.

The Medal was designed by G.W. de Saulles.