Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Bugle-Major Michael McGrath, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade
South Africa 1834-53 (1st Bn. Rifle Bde.) attempted erasure of initial; Crimea 1854-55, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (No. 2336, R. B.) regimentally impressed naming, Christian name erased; Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (2336 Bgle. Maj., 1/R.B.) engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2336 Bugle Major, 1st Bn. Rifle Bde.) Christian name mostly erased; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed and fitted with Crimea suspension, the first two with contact marks, good fine, otherwise very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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Michael McGrath enlisted in the Chelsea District as a Boy soldier with the 1st battalion, Rifle Brigade, on 27 July, 1846. He was 14 years old and a diminutive 4 feet 8 inches tall. He served in South Africa from August 1848 for two years, returning again to the Cape in March 1852 where he remained for almost another two years. He subsequently served throughout the Crimean War, and for nearly nine years in British North America, during which time he took part in the Fenian uprising of 1870. McGrath had been a member of the Band for most of his service and was promoted to Bugle Major on 15 June, 1864, whilst in Canada. He was discharged from the Rifle Brigade on 15 August, 1871, but continued to serve for some years as Bugle Major with the Essex Rifle Militia, commanded by Colonel F. G. Whitehead. Sold with copy service papers and details from the muster rolls.