Orders, Decorations and Medals

Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., H.E.I.C. issue (Serjeant Major John Birrell, 1st Battaln. Bomy. Artillery) edge bruising and traces of minor corrosion to upper left obverse field, otherwise very fine and rare £600-650

John Birrell, who was born in Strathmiglo, Fife, enlisted in the Honourable East India Company’s Artillery in Glasgow in July 1843, aged 20 years, and was embarked for India in the John Wycliffe in September 1843, where he joined the 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, Bombay Foot Artillery as a Gunner. Advanced to Drill Corporal in October 1846, Drill Sergeant in October 1847 and Sergeant-Major in October 1852, he was awarded his (H.E.I.C.) Meritorious Service Medal and an annuity of £20 in the Government of India’s General Order No. 294 of 28 March 1861. And in common with other Europeans employed in the H.E.I.C’s forces, he opted for transfer to the Royal Artillery in May of the same year, prior to taking his discharge at Poona in the following year - where he gave his intended place of residence as New Zealand; sold with copied service record.