Four: Sergeant Major T. Eales, Manchester Regiment

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1783. Cpl. Thos. Eales. 63rd. Regt.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (1783. Cr. Sgt. T. Eales. 1/ Manch: R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt. Mjr. T. Eales. Manch: Regt.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘1783 Cr. Sgt. T. Eales. 1 / Manch. R.’, mounted court-style for display, heavy pitting and contact marks, therefore good fine; the MSM nearly extremely fine (4) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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Thomas Eales was born about May 1853 at Bushey, near Watford, and enlisted as a private in the 63rd Regiment at Westminster, London in August 1870. Joining the Regimental Depot at Cork the same month, his battalion soon after embarked for India, arriving there in December 1870. Promoted Corporal on 21 April 1879, he served during the latter stages of the Afghan War, and was promoted Sergeant and then Colour Sergeant on 9 January 1882. He subsequently saw further service during the latter end of the Egyptian campaign in 1882. He was appointed Sergeant Instructor of Musketry on 1 May 1884, and on 9 September 1885 he was appointed Sergeant Major. He was discharged from the army on 30 November 1895 after over 25 years’ service, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with gratuity on 1 April 1904. He died on 7 July 1908 aged 55.

Sold with copied service papers and extensive copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.