Orders, Decorations and Medals

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (249 Pte. G. Williams, 2 Bn. Rifle Bde.), edge nicks, better than very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Cheshire and Manchester Regiments, Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets formed by the late David Boniface.

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George Williams was born at Oswestry, Shropshire and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Walsall, Staffordshire in August 1857, aged 20 years. Quickly embarked for India, he qualified for the Mutiny Medal without clasp, and was advanced to Corporal in November 1860 - but subsequently lost his stripes as a result of thumping a private soldier; he was also tried by Court Martial for being found drunk on piquet duty in November 1869, but found not guilty. Having then witnessed active service in the Ashantee War 1873-74, including the Coomassie operations, Williams was finally discharged at Gibraltar in October 1878.