Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

Three: Colour Serjeant Instructor of Musketry A. J. Dear, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, a survivor from the wreck of the Warren Hastings

India General Service 1854-95, G.V.R., 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 (3931 Corp., 1/K.R.R.C.); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (3931 Sergt., 1st Bn. K.R. Rifle Corps); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3931 C. Sjt. I. of M., K.R.R.C.) mounted court style for display, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £320-360

Alfred Joseph Dear was born in Lambeth on 23 June 1869. A Clerk by occupation and a member of the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at London on 12 November 1886, aged 18 years, 4 months. With the 1st Battalion he served in India, November 1890-January 1897, taking part in the Hazara 1891, Miranzai 1891 and Isazai 1892 expeditions and in the Chitral Relief Force 1895. Promoted to Sergeant in June 1894.

On 6 January 1897, Sergeant Dear, as part of ‘H’ Company, 1st Battalion K.R.R.C., sailed for Mauritius aboard the Warren Hastings. The troopship ran aground off the island of Reunion on 14 January 1897. The discipline of the troops in evacuating the ship was widely praised. Amongst the survivors were Sergeant Dear and a very pregnant Mrs Dear - who was to give birth to a daughter - Prudence Marion Annie Dear, at Mauritius on 18 April 1897.

Dear served at Mauritius, January 1897-February 1898. Returning home, he was posted to the 5th Battalion in February 1898 and was promoted to Colour Sergeant in April 1900. Colour Sergeant Dear was discharged on 9 December 1908 after giving three months notice. With a quantity of copied research, including service papers and a copied photograph of the wreck of the Warren Hastings.