Pair: Corporal John Crosby, Royal Artillery

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Trumpr. John Crosby, 6th Cy. 14th Bn. R.A.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (7507. Corpl. J. Crosby. H/1st Bde. R.A.) nearly very fine (2) £280-£320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Provenance: Jack Webb’s second medal purchase, ‘bought (in 1940, East Ham) for 15/-, sold in 1954 to G. Harris for £1, and bought back on sale of G’s collection at Sotheby’s, 28/6/84 for £122.65 (Lot 127).’

John Crosby was born at Trincomalie, Ceylon, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich on 5 October 1855, aged 13 years, apparently a tailor by trade. He served abroad in India, August 1857 to January 1868, and January 1874 to August 1882; in Egypt, August to October, 1882; in India, October 1882 to January 1883; the remainder at Home. By November 1867 he had risen to the rank of Sergeant, but in June 1868 he was tried and reduced to Gunner. He was promoted to Corporal in July 1877, and to Sergeant once again, in September 1877. He was tried and reduced in January 1880 but the sentence was remitted; tried and reduced to Corporal in May 1880; and finally, tried and reduced to Gunner in October 1880, in which rank he remained until discharged on 27 February 1888. He is also entitled to the medal for Tel-el-Kebir. Sold with copied discharge papers.