ORDER OF OSMANIEH GROUP OF 3 MEDALS TO CAPT. J.F. DORWARD, 24TH CO., R.E. (BROUGHT BACK GENERAL GORDON'S 'MEMORIAL' CARPET)

Order of Osmanieh 4th Class Gazetted 6 Oct 1885:

"In approbration of their distinguished services before the enemy during the operations in the Soudan of last year."

James Ford Dorward was born in Chicacole, Madras, India on 14 Nov 1843, the son of Surgeon James Dorward, 27th N.I. Dorward was promoted to Major in 1885 after receiving his Order of Osmanieh and, attached to a half-company (estimated just 30 men) of the 26th Coy., Royal Engineers, present at the Battle of Abu Klea is unusually entitled to this clasp in addition to his other three.

Dorward was made full Colonel on 15 June 1889.

The National Museums archives list The Royal Engineers Museum as holding the 'Woven carpet, said to have been the carpet upon which the body of General Charles Gordon was laid after his death in Khartoum on 26 Jan 1885, brought back to the United Kingdom by General Sir Arthur Ford Dorward or Colonel James Ford Dorward'.

Since his brother, Arthur, was serving in Burma whilst James was in Egypt, only one brother could have returned initially to the UK with the historic artefact. Buy the medal of Dorward's father.

Buy the miniature medals here.