Royal Navy Medals

[MJBatten]

Does anybody know what it means when someone is given a medal but with no clasps? for example, I have a list of all the men, including my gg grandfather who received the Sudan Medal, but only a few had clasps for El Teb, and others had ones with Suakin or Tamasi. What does it mean if they didn't have a clasp?

Many thanks,

MJ

[KGarrad]

The Queen's Sudan Medal, of 1899, had no clasps.

The Khedive's Sudan Medal, awarded by Egypt, issued originally in 1897 could have a number of clasps, although a maximum of 2 clasps were awarded to British troops.
Egyptians could have as many as 10 clasps of the 15 possible clasps awarded.

Clasps usually award to British troops were Khartoum and Atbara.
Medals were also awarded with no clasps.

see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khedive%27s_Sudan_Medal_(1897)

[MJBatten]

Thanks KGarrad,

I am talking about the 1885 Sudan Medal with the clasps of Suakin and El Teb and the Khedive Star, not the 1897 one.

Is there any significance or meaning for the medals with no clasps? does it mean they weren't active during that battle but were still there?

MJ

[KGarrad]

Actually, I think you are referring tothe Egypt Medal of 1882-1889?

13 clasps were awarded in total.
Common 2-clasp combinations were El-Teb and Tamaai.

see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt_Medal

[KGarrad]

For Khedive's Star see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khedive%27s_Star

[MJBatten]

Yes, that's right but the medals I am talking about for the campaigns during 1884 for the rescue of Gordon were awarded in 1885. However, that's not the question I was asking. I wanted to know what no clasps mean to having clasps?

[KGarrad]

Most medals are issued without clasps.
Clasps, when they are awarded, indicate a certain campaign, battle or region the recipient operated in to receive the award.

[MJBatten]

Ok, so if there is no clasp on the 1885 medal for the naval brigade during the Mahdist War, does that mean that particular man did not take part in El Teb or Suakin campaign? and if not, what was he doing? That's my question.

MJ

[KGarrad]

Did you read the Wikipedia articles I referred to:

It states there:
Medals without clasp were awarded to:

    those who served in Egypt between 11 July and 14 September 1882, but were not present at the bombardment of Alexandria or the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir;
    all troops employed south of Wadi Halfa between 30 November 1885 and 11 January 1886 and south of Korosko on 3 August 1889.