Orders, Decorations and Medals

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Lt. H. Givins, R.C.R.), nearly extremely fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Kieran Collection.

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Hillier Givins originally applied for a commission in the British Army in October 1855, aged 17 years, on the recommendation of his uncle, a clergyman from Toronto but, owing to his father’s early death and his subsequent limited education, failed to meet the Military Board’s required standards. Notwithstanding this early setback, and as evidenced by the above described Medal & clasp, he did go on to obtain a commission in the Royal Canadian Rifles and witness active service in the Fenian troubles of 1866, in which year he was based at St. John’s, where he was appointed Town Mayor in June, in addition to participating in the engagement on Vermont Frontier and the occupation of Frelitzberg, and latterly taking command of a company in charge of prisoners. Official records further confirm that his Medal was sent to him at 2 Percy Villas, Seabrooke, Sandgate, Kent.