The occupation of Egypt also included British occupation of Sudan, where another revolt began in 1881 led by a religious leader, Muhammad Ahmed, or the Mahdi. By the end of 1882, the Mahdi had occupied a large part of Sudan defeating British forces in 1883 and early 1884.





By October 1884 the British Government had elected to evacuate Sudan, with the exception of Suakim which was defended by General Gordon who ignoring orders elected to stay and defend Khartoum. In October 1884 the Government despatched a relief expedition under Wolseley to rescue Gordon despatching a flying column across the dessert, to find that Khartoum had already falling and Gordon had been killed. Wolseley was forced to retreat and the Sudan was abandoned to the Mahdi





For this campaign, the Princess of Wales had opened a separate fund for the relief of Gordon. The Princess of Wales Fund was formed in order to send medical and other luxuries to sick and wounded British soldiers and sailors. Throughout the country the formation of sub-committees was encouraged including one in Cairo under Lady Baring, which visited patients in hospital and worked on behalf of the society. This was affiliated to the National Society and throughout the campaign the two bodies worked in harmony





The Society also organised transport and on the Nile had a stern-wheel steamer named Alexandra, bought from Messrs Elder and Co. of Glasgow and a steam launch named Queen Victoria. The purchase of the Queen Victoria represented the first occasion where the National Society’s practical work was used to also provide a definite and complete unit to supplement fully the Army medical organisation. At Suakim the steam yacht Stella was lent to the National Society by Sir Allen Young for the evacuation of the wounded.