Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pompadours (West Essex Regiment) Rifle Club Medal, by J. S. & A. B. Wyon, 48mm, silver, the obverse featuring shield and castle with motto ‘Monte Insignia Calpe’ in centre, with ‘Pompadours West Essex Regiment’ around; the reverse inscribed ‘Pompadour Rifle Club’ within laurel wreath, the edge engraved ‘Champion 1891, No. 1484 Lc. Corpl. J Bowe.’, in Wyon, London case of issue, extremely fine £80-120

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004.

J. Bowe attested for the Essex Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion as a Drummer in the Nile Campaign of 1884-85, and then as a Sergeant attached to the Commissary Department in the Tirah Campaign of 1897-98. His medal entitlement of Egypt and Sudan Medal 1882-89 with clasp The Nile 1884-85; India General Service Medal 1895-1902 with clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Tirah 1897-98; and Khedive’s Star 1884-6 is a unique combination to the Essex Regiment.