19 March 2009

War memorial gets medals from the Sudan War of 1885

| johnboy
Join the conversation
8

Just a quicky for the memorial nerds.

The War Memorial has announced that they’re taking delivery tomorrow of some rather rare Australian medals from the Sudan War of 1885:

    The Australian War Memorial will tomorrow receive a donation of two medals awarded to Private Charles Edward Downey, one of only three Australians wounded in the Sudan War of 1885.

    “During the four months of New South Wales involvement in the Sudan War, Downey was one of only three men wounded, being shot through his foot during a minor skirmish. This makes today’s donation particularly significant for the Memorial in telling the story of Australian involvement in the Sudan War.

    The Egypt Medal and Khedive’s Star were awarded to Private Downey to commemorate his service with D Company of the New South Wales Sudan Contingent.

    No Australian soldiers were killed in action in Sudan, although nine died of disease.

Join the conversation

8
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Granny, it is as accurate as you would expect a major movie made in 1966 to be. Very loosely based on fact.

But it is a great movie, I remember first seeing it as a kid in the mid 70’s and loving it and have watched it several times since then.

If you recommend it, Jim Jones, I shall watch it. I think I would find it fascinating. How accurate or otherwise is the film?

As an ex-sailor and soldier as well as a student of military history ‘War’ now makes me cringe.

I still find it hard to believe that opposing army’s would stand on an open field in brightly coloured uniforms, in close groups no less, firing shots at each other. Attrition of troops generally equalled loss of battle. Then we got smarter and dug huge, and very long, holes to hide in while shooting at each other. Even then we’d finally announce an imminent attack to the enemy through a very noisy artillery barrage and then blowing a loud whistle, just to make sure they knew we were coming!

Don’t get me wrong the guys that fought in wars (the dead and the returned) are my personal hero’s. Those that instigated the wars, planned individual battles or set improbable rules of engagement, I like ‘not so much’.

Granny – there was an awesome old film about this period of Sudanese/Nubian craziness (with Charlton Heston as General Gordon and Laurence Olivier as the Mahdi). It’s called ‘Khartoum’. Well worth hiring if you can find a copy.

If I was stuck there with those idiots I’d be shooting my blessed foot!

shot through his foot? Sounds sus to me!

Don’t mess with the Mahdi.

Wow, that was fascinating reading! The 1885 campaign is quite farcical. I must admit my sympathy is more with the Sudanese than the Egyptians.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.