Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Bandmaster J. Gready, 2nd Foot

China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Corpl. John Gready, 1st. Bn. 2nd. Regt.) officially impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2379 Band Mr. John Gready, 1st. Bn. 2nd. Foot.); Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Bndmstr. J. Gready. 1st. 2 Foot.) edge bruising and light contact marks, good very fine and better (3) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Musicians formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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John Gready was born on 21 October 1833 at Athlone, West Meath, Ireland, and attested for the 2nd (Queen’s) Foot there on 21 October 1847. He served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Third Kaffir War 1850-53 (entitled to Medal) and was promoted Corporal on 20 September 1856. Present during the Second Opium War at both the Capture of the Taku Forts in 1860, and the subsequent capture of Peking, he was promoted Sergeant on 20 August 1860, and then appointed Bandmaster on 1 April 1863. Awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in October 1872, he was discharged on 5 May 1879, after 27 years and 197 days’ service, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with an Annuity of £10 on 1 April 1904. He died in 1924.