Australian 1885 Silver General Gordon Medalet - Rare

Australian 1885 Silver General Gordon Medal - Rare. History: The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney has a commemorative military medal that marks the return of Australian troops from the Sudan campaign. This medal is a significant piece of history, as it commemorates Australia’s first overseas military engagement in 1885. The medal was awarded to members of the New South Wales Contingent who served in the Sudan. Sudan War, 1885 (Egypt) On 26th January, 1885 the besieged city of Khartoum in the Sudan fell to the Madhists, and General Gordon was murdered. On the wave of public emotion which arose in the Colony when this news was received, an offer by the Colonial Government to provide a contingent of troops to serve with the British Army in the Sudan was made to, and accepted by the British Government. On 3rd March, 1881 the New South Wales Contingent sailed from Sydney for Suakin on the Red Sea. It comprised in essence a reduced battalion of volunteer infantry, a battery of regular artillery, and an ambulance section; a total of 762 men. Althought members of the contingent were not heavily engaged, the harsh nature of the country around the Red Sea involved them in extremely hard campaigning, before they returned to disembark at Sydney, on 12th June, 1885. These troops were the first from any British Colony, to serve the Crown overseas. Eligible soldiers were awarded two official medals, the medal for Egypt, 1882 with Bar SUAKIN 1885, and the medal awarded by the Khedive of Egypt, known as the Khedive's Star; several unofficial medals were also issued. The Years of Expansion. "Soldiers of the Queen". The Military Forces of Colonial Australia. From 1788 to 1870, the defence of the Australian Colonies rested principally with the British Army, and the Royal Navy, which deployed troops and ships throughout Australia. In 1851, the Government of New South Wales obtained Imperial consent to the establishment of a volunteer corps; but it was not until the Crimean War of 1854-1855, that interest in improving local defences was aroused. One of the results of this renewed interest was the formation of the 1st New South Wales Rifle Volunteers, in 1854. The movement of Imperial troops from Australia to New Zealand during the Maori Wares created public awareness of the necessity to have local defense forces in the Australian Colonies which were controlled by the Colonial Authorities themselves. In 1870, the British garrison was finally withdrawn from Australia, and serious efforts were made from this time on, to expand the defence capacities of the Colonies. In New South Wales, this led to the establishment of the New South Wales Military Forces, in 1878. This force was composed of both permanent and part-time volunteer soldiers. There were few towns of importance which did not have their own local sub-unit, either of infantry, or mounted rifles. Between 1885 and 1902 New South Wales provided military and naval contingents from its forces for active service overseas in Sudan, China and South Africa. After Federation, the military forces of the Australian Colonies were gradually absorbed into the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces; this process being completed by 1903. From Sydney Mint Museum label written by curator, Major HP (Pat) Boland, c1982. Please view images as all images are of the actual item. 

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