1885 - Sudan Expedition

- 1880 - North Africa - Muslim rebellion - Sudan - British General Gordon - Egyptian troops - massacred - Khartoum - 1885 - Suakin- 

After 1880 the British presence in North Africa was threatened by a Muslim rebellion in Sudan. The famous British General Gordon and his Egyptian troops had been massacred by the rebels in Khartoum early in 1885.

This received great publicity throughout the Empire and the British were determined to avenge Gordon's death.

For the first time an Australian colonial government, that of NSW, committed an army to help Britain overseas.

Amid scenes of wild patriotism a contingent of 734 troops left Sydney for the Sudan in March 1885. Many thousands more volunteered for the contingent than were needed.

After they landed at the Sudanese port of Suakin the Australian troops were attached to British regiments. They fought several skirmishes with the rebels in the desert. 

However the British decided to abandon the campaign shortly afterwards and the Australian troops arrived back in Sydney in 1886.

The only deaths had been caused by disease. 

The Sydney Morning Herald noted at the time that in sending troops to the Sudan the colony had put forth its claim to be an integral part of the empire.

Reference
 

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