Khedive's Star : Driver T F Coleman, NSW Artillery

Khedive's Star (1882 - 1891). Unnamed as issued. Obverse: In the centre is the Sphinx with the three Great Pyramids in the background. Around this is a raised band, on the upper part of which is embossed 'EGYPT' followed by the dates '1884-6'. The lower part of the band is embossed in Arabic 'KHEDIVE OF EGYPT' with the appropriate date. Reverse: The Khedive's monogram 'T.M.' surmounted by a crown within a raised band. The suspender is a small fixed loop attached between the two uppermost rays of the star. A loose ring is attached to the loop joining a straight laureated bar bearing a crescent moon and a small five pointed star. A small piece of 39 mm plain dark blue ribbon is attached to the suspender bar.

Thomas Fulton Coleman was born at Sofala, NSW, on 18 December 1863. He enlisted in the NSW Artillery on 29 January 1885 and allocated the regimental number 1199. His attestation papers state that he was a gardener by trade, aged 21, height 5 feet 9 1/4 inches with grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion and religion as Church of England. In the Sudan he served as a driver with the NSW Contingent and in the South African War as a Warrant Officer with the NSW Citizens Bushmen Contingent during 1900-1901. Upon his return to Australia he joined the Permanent NSW Instructional Staff as a Quarter Master Sergeant and was promoted in 1908 to Staff Regimental Sergeant Major with the same unit. Coleman qualified for the Colonial Long Service Medal on 3 January 1903 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 5 March 1910. On 1 April 1913 he was commissioned a Lieutenant (Adjutant) to the 43rd NSW Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Captain (Adjutant) on 1 April 1918. He retired from military service as an Honorary Major in 1921. His brother William Hammond Coleman joined the NSW Artillery and also served in the Sudan and South African Wars. He joined the Instructional Staff on 1 October 1915 as a Lieutenant and was promoted Captain 1 January 1920.