Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant Instructor J. Rickwood, Rifle Brigade, a crack shot who served in Ross’s Camel Corps during the Indian Mutiny and later served as Sergeant Instructor with the 1st Sussex Rifle Volunteers

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Central India (Pte. John Rickwood, 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue (4631 Cr. Sergt. John Rickwood, 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Sjt. Instr. J. Rickwood, 2/Rifle Bde.); Rifle Brigade ‘Marksman’ Medal, silver (Balmer R568), light contact marks and occasional edge bruising, otherwise good very fine and better (4) £800-1000

M.S.M. awarded 12 August 1901, with £10 Annuity.

John Rickwood was born in the London Parish of St Pancras, and attested for the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, on 21 February 1855, aged 18 years, a servant by trade. He served in the Indian Mutiny with the 2nd Rifle Brigade and afterwards was attached to Ross’s Camel Corps in Central India, April to June 1858 (this clasp has not yet been confirmed on the roll). He was promoted to Sergeant in July 1862 and awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal on 7 January 1876. Having re-engaged at Meerut for 11 years, he was appointed Colour-Sergeant shortly afterwards and transferred to the 1st Sussex Rifle Volunteers as Sergeant Instructor in September 1874. He was finally discharged on 14 March 1876, at which time he was in possession of the ‘Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp for Lucknow and good conduct medal with Gratuity of £5.0.0’ Sold with copied discharge papers and Camel Corps muster roll.