Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

The Battle of Omdurman group of six medals to Arthur Westwood, 21st Lancers, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons and Royal Horse Artillery: Queen's Sudan (3642 PTE A, WESTWOOD, 21/ LANCERS.); Queen's South Africa, first type (b) reverse, 5 clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (4264. Pte. A. WESTWOOD. 6/Drgns), engraved; King's South Africa, both dated clasps (4264 PTE A. WESTWOOD. INNIS: DRGNS:); Khedive's Sudan, clasp: Khartoum (3642 PTE A. WESTWOOD 21ST LCRS), regimentally engraved; British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (614553 GNR. A. WESTWOOD. R.A.); the first four mounted for wearing, attractively toned and all extremely fine or very nearly so.

The celebrated charge of the 21st Lancers at the battle of Omdurman, 2nd September 1898, is commonly referred to as the last Regimental cavalry charge in the history of the British Army. Ordered to screen the advance of the Army towards Khartoum, the Lancers (a young Winston Churchill among them) found themselves advancing on an enemy force that was larger than expected. Displaying extraordinary daring they committed to a charge, only quickening their pace as a dry watercourse concealing still greater numbers of the enemy came into view. In the two minutes of vicious melee that followed the 440 man force had incurred 71 casualties and won three Victoria Crosses.

Posted to C Squadron 12th October 1895. Confirmed as having charged at Omdurman on the list of men south of Kereri Ridge, and on Sgt. Hicks' Scroll, and medals confirmed on roll.

Sources: Michael Asher, 'Khartoum: The Ultimate Imperial Adventure'; Roy Dutton, 'The charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman'.