LIEUTENANT MARTYR, A.D.C.. Two: Queen's Sudan Medal 1896 (officially engraved in serifed capitals: LIEUT. MARTYR A.D.C.) Khedive's Sudan Medal, two clasps, Firket, Hafir (officially engraved in plain capitals: LIEUT. MARTYR, A-D-C). Attractively toned, Good Very Fine to Almost Extremely Fine.
The only officer with the surname Martyr on the medal roll for the Sudan campaign of 1896 is Cyril Godfrey Martyr, who saw service during the 1896 campaign, with the rank of Major, as Assistant Adjutant General with the Headquarters Staff, and was awarded Queen's Sudan Medal and Khedives Sudan Medal with clasps Firket and Hafir.
These two medals are both named in the correct style and entirely as issued, so the naming error on them with regard to rank is no doubt an error on the part of the engraver at the time of naming.
Cyril Godfrey Martyr (1860-1936) was one of the most experienced and successful mounted infantry officers to see service during the period 1882-1901, seeing service as a mounted infantry officer in numerous engagements throughout Africa during those years. First commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, South Devon Militia, 15/2/1879, Martyr subsequently obtained a commission in the regular army, being appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment (the post 1880 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) 23/10/1880. Martyn, promoted Lieutenant, 1/7/1881, saw service in the Egyptian expedition, 1882, including the reconnaissance in force on Kafr Dowar, the actions at El Magfar and Tel-el-Mahuta, both actions at Kassasin and the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (awarded Egypt Medal with Tel-el-Kebir clasp and Khedive's Bronze Star). Martyr next saw service with the mounted infantry during the Nile expedition of 1884-5, taking part in both actions at Abu Klea, the actions at Gubat and Metammeh, and the attack on the convoy, 14th February (awarded 2 clasps to Egypt Medal). Martyr afterwards took part in the Sudan campaign of 1888-91, being promoted Captain during that campaign, 1/7/1881, and taking part in the action at Gemaizah (awarded clasp to Egypt Medal and 4th class of the Order of the Medjidie), the action at Toski (awarded clasp to Egypt Medal) and the capture of Tokar, February 1891 (awarded 4th class of the Order of Osmanieh and clasp to Khedive's Bronze Star). Promoted Major, 26/2/1896, Martyr next saw service during the Sudan campaign of 1896 as Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Staff, taking part in the operations of 7th June and 19th September (awarded Distinguished Service Order, mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Queen's Sudan Medal and Khedive's Sudan Medal with clasps Firket and Hafir). Martyr next saw service during the campaign in Uganda in 1898, commanding the mounted forces that captured the Sudanese fort near Mruli and in the action at Jeruba (promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, 25/1/1899, mentioned in dispatches and awarded East and Central Africa Medal with clasp Uganda 1898) and in the Uganda campaign of 1899, including the action against Kabarega (awarded clasp to East and Central Africa Medal). Martyr saw active service for the last time during the Boer War, 1899-1900, when he saw extensive service as a mounted infantry officer (mentioned in dispatches and awarded Queen's Medal with 7 clasps). He retired from the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry to the Reserve of Officers with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 22/11/1902, but was recalled for service during WW1, when he saw service at home, at the War Office (no campaign medals awarded).
