Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Corporal J. Matthews, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (889 Pte., 3/60th Foot); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (889 Corpl., 3/K.R. Rif. C.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed, contact marks especially to the second, nearly very fine and better (3) £450-500

John Matthews was born in Billericay, Essex. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the 60th Rifles London on 19 July 1876, aged 18 years, 2 months. With the Rifles he served in South Africa, February 1879-February 1882 - seeing service in both the Zulu War and the First Boer War. He then served in Malta, February-July 1882, followed by Egypt, July 1882-June 1883, seeing action at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in July 1883 and discharged on 24 July 1888 having completed his first period of service.

With an original letter (undated) from Matthews to his mother whilst he was stationed at Pietermaritzburg, Natal; also with a portrait photograph of the recipient and with copied service papers. Together with a copy of a poem on ‘Majuba’, written by Corporal J. Matthews, 3rd Battalion K.R.R.C., dated, Mount Prospect, Natal, 25 July 1881.