Egypt Medal
We don't know anything about Dominick's early life or family.
He joined the 63rd Regiment of Foot in late July or early August 1870 and was given the service number 1844. We don't know where he joined the Army, but the 63rd Regiment were stationed at Hazareebagh in Eastern India. Dominick will have travelled out to join them after his training.
The 63rd Regiment were based in India until they went to war in Egypt in September 1882. We don't know whether Dominick left them at any point. They left Hazareebagh in November 1873 and moved to Jhansi in modern Uttar Pradesh. By 1879 they were in Umballa (now Ambala) near what is now the Indian Punjab.
The 63rd Regiment played a small part in the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, but Dominick did not serve in Afghanistan until after the end of the war. He will have been stationed in Kandahar from October 1880 until the British withdrew in April 1881.
The 63rd Regiment was stationed in Quetta on the 1st July 1881. On this day it was renamed the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.
The Anglo-Egyptian War broke out in June 1882 after the pro-British Khedive was deposed. Britain wanted to protect its commercial investments in Egypt, as well as the Suez Canal, which gave access to India. The 1st Battalion was sent to Egypt on the 6th September to join a larger force that had already landed. For this reason they did not see very much fighting. The war ended later that month with the British restoring the Khedive to power, but having much more control over the country.
Dominick's time overseas ended on the 3rd November 1882. He returned to the UK and was stationed at Warley in Essex. Even after 13 year's service Dominick still held the rank of Private.
We don't know when Dominick left the Army, and his life afterwards is a mystery. His medal was donated to the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in 1946.
As well as his Egypt Medal, Dominick was also awarded the Khedive's Star for his Army service.
