Pair: Colour Sergeant J. Lewis, Royal Marine Light Infantry

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (J. Lewis, Sergt. R.M. H.M.S. “Active”); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Jas. Lewis. Color Sergt. 20th. Co. R.M.L.I.) impressed naming, contact marks, nearly very fine and rare (2) £1,800-£2,200

One of only 13 South Africa 1877-79 Medals with clasp 1877-8 awarded to Royal Marine personnel (all borne on H.M.S. Active).

James Lewis was born in Landport, Somerset, on 12 December 1854, and joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Bristol on 12 April 1873. Posted to the Portsmouth Division, he was promoted Corporal on 1 November 1874, and Sergeant on 20 May 1876. He embarked in H.M.S. Active on 15 April 1877, and whilst borne on her books served on shore from 17 December 1877 to 7 April 1878, where he formed part of a small Naval Brigade that landed from H.M.S. Active to provide artillery support for the Army during the Kaffir War. The Naval Brigade took with them six 12-pounder guns, one Gatling gun and two 24-pounder rockets, and fought alongside Colonel Glyn with the 24th Foot against Chief Pokwane at the battle of Quintana and in the action at Peri Bush. They were also present at the smaller actions against the Gaika and Galika tribes.

Lewis transferred to H.M.S. Danae on 14 May 1878, and H.M.S. Emerald on 5 February 1881, before returning to Portsmouth on 3 September 1882, where he was promoted Colour Sergeant on 22 January 1883, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 15 May of that year. After spells on H.M. Ships Orontes, Champion, and Osborne, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, on 1 January 1894, and was discharged shortly after.

Sold with copied record of service; medal roll extracts; and a modern reprint of the book The Naval Brigade in South Africa during the Years 1877-78-79, by Feet-Surgeon H. F. Norbury, C.B., R.N.