Khedive's Star For The Egypt War 1882

Obverse: A five pointed star. Within a band, head of the Sphinx, three pyramids in the background. Legend: 'EGYPT 1882'. Below: 'Khedive of Egypt' (in Arabic letters). Reverse: the monogram of the Khedive, a crown above. Awarded by the Khedive to all those who received the Egypt Medal. Awarded to Lieut. Walter Hailstone R.N. (1848-1913). Dated 1882. Fitted with a decorative pin bar for wear.

Walter Hailstone (1848-1913) had a career which was marred by a couple of early misdemeanours and his senior officer reported him as having 'a very slow & unenergetic manner which appears to be natural to him but materially affects his efficiency as an executive officer'. He overcame these setbacks and by 1890 was described as a 'most painstaking and hardworking officer'. He entered the Navy as a 13-year-old Naval Cadet in 1862. A year later he was appointed Midshipman and then on 4th May 1872 was granted a commission as Lieutenant. He finally retired in the rank of Commander in 1893 and lived in Cheltenham until his death on 23 May 1913. He was awarded the Royal Humane Society bronze medal for jumping overboard at sea, to rescue two seamen in 1881 while serving in HMS 'Agincourt'.
The clasp to Walter Hailstone's Egypt medal was awarded for the bombardment of Alexandria on 11th July 1882, by ships under the command of Admiral Seymour.
Walter Hailstone was christened on 3rd September 1848, in Bottisham, the son of John and Jane Hailstone. His father was the local vicar. He married Mary Beatrice Blaxland on 30 August 1887 at Erith and they had a large family.