Description
The superb medal pair to Sapper W Chapman killed in action 19th January 1885 at the Battle of Gubat or Abu Kru which took place 2 days after the Battle of Abu Klea.
Chapman was one of 27 (2 Officers and 25 men) of the 1/2 26th Company, Royal Engineers that formed the Desert Column. 2 days after Abu Klea the column was caught unawares at Abu Kru and he was killed in the action. He is the only member of 26th Company R.E. who was killed in action on this day at Abu Kru. The overall casualty total for the Battle of Abu Kru (Gubat) for the day were 23 killed, 98 wounded of which Chapman was one of the killed.
The Battle of Abu Kru (also known as the Battle of Gubat) was part of the British Sudan campaign. It was fought on 19 January 1885, two days after the Battle of Abu Klea, between the British and the Mahdists. The British force under General Sir Herbert Stewart numbered 1,200 while a large number of Mahdists, probably around 13–14,000 were in pursuit. The British were moving to rescue General Gordon from Khartoum, and were cutting the Great Bend of the Nile, when they came under attack a short distance from rejoining the Nile. The British formed a square, and continued moving towards the Nile, repelling all attacks until they reached the river.
The medal roll for the 24th Company Royal Engineers shows that Chapman was serving with the 26th Company. Medal rolls confirm that Chapman was entitled to 4 clasps ( El-Teb Tamaai, Suakin 1884, The Nile 1884-85 and Abu Klea ).
medals – Egypt Medal ( no clasp ) to 16774 SAPR W. CHAPMAN. 24TH. Company R.E. and 1882 Khedive’s Star.
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