The contingent of the NSW Forces that left Australia in 1885 to fight in the Sudan War were in fact the first official contingent of Australian Soldiers to be assembled as such and financially supported by the Government. Each of those who served, while seeing only very little action, were awarded the Egypt Medal with Suakin 1885 clasp as were the Khedives Star also. 762 in total were issued to the NSW Forces.  ** Fullsize medal has Suakin 1885 bar attached