Frank Hayes

According to Cassell's 'History of the War in the Soudan' Band Sergeant Frank Hayes of the 10th Hussars 'showed great courage in the second charge [at El Teb], in dismounting, attacking, and killing a chief who was endeavouring to escape. Finding that his horse would not face the spear, he undauntedly attacked the Arab on foot, and killed him in single combat.’ The photo shows Hayes in the uniform of a band NCO in the Scots Guards. At the time of the battle of El Teb on 29 Feb 1884 the regimental history described Hayes as a bandsman with the status of Private. In the photo he wears a senior NCOs’ uniform with peaked forage cap and gold lace across his chest. He has four medals; from left to right they are, The Afghanistan Medal 1878-80 (green with red edges), Egypt and Sudan Medal 1882-89 with clasp for EL-TEB (3 blue stripes,2 white), Distinguished Conduct Medal (red with central blue stripe), and the Khedive’s Star 1882-91 (dark blue).

Regimental Details