Four: Sergeant-Major Henry Andrews, Royal Marines

Baltic 1854-55 (H. Andrews) contemporary engraved naming; China 1857-60, 3 clasps, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (H. Andrews) contemporary engraved naming; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (Hy. Andrews, Sergt. Major 2 Co. R.M. 27 Yrs.); Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Henry ..drews, Sergt. Major 2nd C...M.L.I. 21 Yrs.) officially engraved naming with partial loss of detail through edge bruising, heavy contact marks and edge bruising, good fine (4) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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L.S. & G.C. medal awarded in March 1872 with Gratuity of £15.

M.S.M. approved 16 February 1875, backdated to 29 May 1874, with Annuity of £5, later increased to £10.

Henry Andrews was born in about 1835 and served in the Royal Marines for many years, and later in the Honourable Artillery Company. An obituary in the Thornton Heath Echo gives an account of his services:

‘The deceased joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1845; served on the west coast of Africa from 1846 to 1849; was in the Baltic during the Russian War, 1854-55; throughout the China War of 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860 in the Brigade selected for that service; was present at the assault and capture of Canton, the taking of Namtow, where he was wounded; was in the actions of White Cloud Mountains, the capture of Shektsing, Sinho, Tonghoo; the storming and capture of the Taku Forts, proceeded on the march to Pekin; served as Sergeant-Major in China, at Walmer and Portsmouth from 1860 to 1872; then discharged to pension and appointed Sergt.-Major to the Royal Surrey Militia; in 173 to the Honourable Artillery Company, and retired in 1889 with permission to retain the rank of Warrant Officer, and wear the uniform of the Regiment, making a total service of 44 years.’

Andrews was pensioned out of the H.A.C. in 1889 with a Retiring Pension of £75 per annum, and died at Thornton Heath, Surrey, on 23 July 1901, aged 66. Sold with full research.