Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (453 Pte. Jno. Leary, 63rd Regt.) good very fine £80-100

John Leary was born in Cork. A Cabinet Maker by trade, he attested for service in the Army at Manchester on 27 July 1875, aged nearly 22 years, having served in the 6th Royal Lancashire Militia. Posted to the 63rd Regiment, he served in India, September 1879-August 1880; Afghanistan, August 1880-December 1881; India, December 1881-September 1882 and Egypt, September-November 1882; for which he was awarded the Afghanistan Medal 1878-80 and Egypt and Sudan Medal with Khedive’s Star. He was promoted to Corporal in March 1876 and obtained a 1st Class Certificate as an Instructor in Gymnastics and Fencing. In April 1877 he was tried for some unknown offence and reduced to Private; he then deserted seven months later only to rejoin in August 1879. He was tried by Court Martial and all his former service was forfeited with regards to good conduct pay and pension. He was discharged on 20 July 1889 and went to live in 3 Spittal Street, Oldham Road, Manchester. Sold with copied service papers.