Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (1st Cl: Staff Sergt: Jno: Downer, R.M.A.) impressed naming, nearly extremely fine and scarce £600-700

54 Victorian 2nd issue M.S.M.’s awarded.

John Downer was born at Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, and attested to serve as a Private with No. 8 Company of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, on 8 April 1841. He was then aged 21 and formerly a labourer. He joined the Royal Marine Artillery on 23 September 1847, and was discharged due to length of service on 28 April 1863. He had been awarded a wide suspension L.S. & G.C. in February 1863, with a £10 gratuity, after a total service of 21 years 268 days, of which 8 years 73 days had been at sea. He received his M.S.M. on 18 January 1889.