The British were in Egypt and the Sudan because of the Suez Canal. British general Charles Gordon was in the service of the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan in 1873 and later became the Governor General of Sudan. He returned to England in 1880.
A major revolt broke out in Sudan, led by a Muslim religious Mahdi. In early 1884 General Gordon was sent to Khartoum to evacuate and accompany loyal soldiers and civilians. After evacuating about 2500 people, he disobeyed orders and kept a small band of soldiers and non-military men and they became besieged by the Mahdi's forces.
A rescue mission was planned and General Garnet Wolseley was put in charge. Besides seeing action in Crimea and Africa, he was involved in the Red River Rebellion, leading British soldiers and Canadian militia. Wolseley recruited Canadians, not so much because they could fight, but because they were skilled at navigating dangerous river waters. Perfect for traveling up the Nile to reach Khartoum.
In a matter of just 24 days Wolseley recruited guides, boatmen and lumbermen from all across Canada... English and Scottish, French, Métis and Aboriginals ...and were named the Nile Voyageurs. Their monthly wages were about $40 for boatmen and $75 for foremen.
There is a book called Records of the Nile Voyageurs 1884-1885 with more complete info, some images and lists of men, at Internet Archive. It is only available to borrow for 2 weeks (online or download) and you must register for free and login. Some *men re-enlisted, see page 176 for contract. *Note that the book is still under copyright.
They gathered in Montreal from whence they sailed 14 September 1884, bound for Egypt, arriving on October 7th.
The expedition did not make it in time to save General Gordon, and were themselves attacked. There is a † beside names of those men that died. Money was sent to their families. If deceased left a widow or widowed mother special grants were made.
Relevant Links
List of Officers and Men of Nile Voyageurs, Dominion Annual Register and Review 1884
Records of the Nile Voyageurs, 1884-1885 (borrow)
Another fascinating find!
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