Orders, Decorations and Medals

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Sikkim 1888, Burma 1885-7 (20418 Gunr. J. Curdon, No. 9 By. 1st Bde. N. Dn. R.A.) clasps mounted in that order, minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine £250-300

Medal and both clasps both confirmed. The recipient first appeared under the alias 20418 'James Curdon' serving with No 9 Mountain Battery, 1st Brigade, Northern Division, Royal Artillery, on the medal roll for 'Burma 1885-1887', and later under his true name, 20418 James Kelly, then serving with 3rd Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, for the 'Sikkim 1888' clasp (reference WO 100/74).

James Kelly (alias 'James Curdon') was a native of Donaghmore, Castlefinn, Donegal, Ireland, where he was born circa 1855. At the time of his attestation for the British Army at Omagh, Ireland, on 18 March 1877, James, then 18 years of age and by occupation a 'Labourer' was posted to join the Scots Fusilier Guards. For some reason he did not take to soldiering with the Scots Fusilier Guards, and 'Deserted' from that corps on 30 October 1878. James Kelly was not however finished with the British Army, and he subsequently enlisted (while still a deserter) under the name 'James Curdon' as a Gunner in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. James's earlier desertion was eventually detected, but he was allowed to continue his service - with initial forfeiture of former service - in the Royal Artillery (service papers refer). In total James Kelly (alias James Curdon ) served a total of 20 years and 49 days, including more than 5 years overseas service in Aden Colony, 23 February 1884 to 10 December 1884 (291 Days), and India, 11 December 1884 to 25 April 1889 (4 years 136 days).

His campaign service in that time included Burma 1886-87, and latterly as a 'Mountain Gunner' with the Sikkim Field Force 1888-89 (Medal with two clasps).

At the time he took his final discharge from the British Army at Edinburgh, on 30 April 1897, his character was described as having been 'Very Good'. His intended place of residence on leaving the British Army was cited as being, 13 Yeaman Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. The National Census for Scotland shows James living with his wife Margaret Kelly still living at the aforesaid address, his employment described as being a 'Messenger' for the Army Staff Office. Sold with copied service papers.