The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-11-28 00:00:00

DISTRJBUTIoN OF WAR MEDALS BY Till

QUEEN.
BUMS BY RIB 1141 ISM

The oeremony of distributing war medals by the
Queen to the successful generals on I representatives
ot the various branches of the service who participated
in the late Egyptian campaign took place on Tusiday
in the quadrangle of Wiudeur Carus, and formed a
scene of interest only second to the review on Satur-
day in St. J1113111.'• Park. Tbe troops who were to be
decorated were formed up in three lines, the officers
of the staff In trout,blemeral Sir John Ayde being head
of the line, followed by Sir Edwerd Hamley, General
Willie, and the various Brigadiers and other officers,
the Naval Bngade, headed by their Admirals, funning
• small group on the right, while the Didier Contin-
gent wee stationed in the entrance to St George's-
hall. The Orientals, who, like all others, were in full
uniform, newly every man having • number of medals
or other decorations, were then marched to the extreme
left. When all were in their places there was • short
pause, and the men were allowed to divers, for • few
minutes prior to the 'great event of the day, The
sight was indeed a rower ksble one, the inter-mixture
of colour realising a kaleidoscopic scene of extraordi-
nary beauty. Shortly alter 12 o'clock the bugle sounded
the "Assembly,"and instantly all fell into their please
At hall-past 12 there we. • movement near the R 'yet
entrance to the qu.drangle, outside where • small
pavilion, decorated by the Royal coat of arms, had
been erected, and underneath the canopy standing •
bible with the well.wou models lying upon it Exactly
as the clock struck, her Majesty parsed through the
doors, and was greeted with a loud cheer from the
assembled spectators, while the bend phyed "God
Save the Queeu," and the guard of honour and all the
naval and military men present saluted. On reaching
the dais the Queen •as received by Mr. Chikiers, the
Secretary for War, Lord Northbrook, the first Lord
of the Admiralty, and bleaeral Sir Garnet Wolgeley,
and condoned to the front, where her Royal some and
daughters surrounded her. Aa the last notes of the
National Anthem cloud,
Her Majesty, in a clear voice, addressing the troops
gathered closely id front of her, said :—I have sum-
moned you here to-day td confer upon you the well-
earned medals in commemorsUon of the short and
brilliant, although arduous, campaign, in which all
have dune their duty well, and with courageous and
undaunted devotion. Tell your comrades that I
thank them heartily for the brilliant services they
have rendered to their Queen and country, and that
am proud of my soldiers and sailor., who have added
fresh glories to the victories won by their predecessors
At the chase of this brief address the three lines of ,
officers and men retired, wheeling to the right and
leaving Her Majesty facing the Commander of the
Egyptian Expedition and Naval Brigade. Then cams
the beginning of the principal event. Sir Garnet
stepped up to the dale, anti as the band of the
Grenadier. broke forth with the first bare of "See the
Conquering Hero Comes," the Queen pinned yet
another to the grand row of medals that studded the
breast of the chief hero of the day. After the
General had been decorated there was a pause for a
moment or two, and then the Naval Brigade were
willed up, beaded by Admiral Dowell. Foil riving the
Naval Brigade ...eme the representatives of the army,
first to present himself being Sir John Adv., next in
order coming Generals Willis and Sir E. Hawley, the
commanders of the First and Second Divisions of
Infantry in Egypt. Then it was the turn of the Duke
of Connaught to receive hie first deoorstiou earned on
the actual field. His Royal Highness, who was con-
spicuous by the blue riband of the Garter across
his tunic, stepped up to the dais and gracefully
saluted his Royal mother, who, before pinning
the medal on his breast, affectionately kissed
him. Alter His Royal Highness the Duke of
Connaught, succeeded three honess of the Victoria
Cross, Major-General Macphersoo, Major-Gener
Sir Evelyn Wood, and Sir John M Neill, the
last-named of whom, like the Duke of Tack, who
followed • few minu el later, had the honour of kissing
hands. The succeeding group of officers to receive
their me tale included Colonel Butler, Sir Oriel
Tanner (who woro the green tunic and red pantaloons
of the Belooches), Major Fit:George, and Colonel
Tullock, the lusinaries:4 of whom, it will be remem-
bered, gallantly swam ashore with the party at Alex.
andria to spike the guns, and is the only man in the
army with the clamps both for the bombardment of the
latter place and the battle of Tel-edKebir. The
Indian Contingent, led by Colonel Pennington and
Captain Macßay, came last. The Queen, who was
evidently deeply interested I. her Indian soldier., and
asked many questions regarding them, personally
fastened the medal ou the breast of each of her dusky
warriors, afterwards touching the hilts of the officers'
swords before they saluted. The Indiana were badly
applauded.
At the conclusion of the interesting ceremony, her
Majesty, with the Royal Prince. and Princesses, retired
from the Quadrangle, the band again playing the
National Anthem, and everyone saluting.

It is understood that it is her Majesty's intantion to
personally CORFOI further distinctions in c mneslon
with the Egyptian campaign on Friday next, at

The Eapttan medal has the Queen's head on one
side and the Sphyos on the other, while the ribm.l is
of a garter blue col .or, with two stripee of white run.
'ling down the length.