Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (J. Basten. Pte. R.M. H.M.S. “Euphrates”) minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £460-500

John Basten was born at Ottery St Mary, Devon, on 9 April 1852, and was a farm labourer when he enlisted into the Royal Marines at Exeter on 9 January 1871. Posted to the Plymouth Division he served at sea aboard Royal Adelaide, August 1872 to October 1874; Arab, July 1873 to December 1876; Teazer, December 1876 to November 1877; Euphrates, November 1877 to July 1879; Flora, July 1879 to February 1880; Implacable, September 1880 to June 1881; Lion, July 1881 to December 1882; Impregnable, October 1884; Assistance, November 1884 to April 1885; Indus, May 1885 to September 1887; Cambridge, August 1888 to September 1890. A Private throughout his career, he was discharged having completed 21 years on 29 January 1892. Sold with copied medal roll and service papers.