Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Chin-Lushai 1889-90 (1762 Pte. E. Kirkbride 1st. Bn. Ches. R.) suspension slightly loose, good very fine £180-£220

Edward Kirkbride was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1866 and attested for the Cheshire Regiment at Chester on 18 April 1885, having previously served in the Regiment’s 3rd (Militia) Battalion. Posted to the 1st Battalion he served with them in Egypt from 27 January 1886 to 2 November 1887, and in India and Upper Burma from 3 November 1887 to 25 January 1893. He took part in the Chin-Lushai Expedition, as part of the Fort White Column, from 15 November 1889 to 30 April 1890, although he spent a total of 28 days during the campaign in hospital with malaria (interestingly, his medical record sheet is signed by Surgeon captain F. S. Le Quesne, who had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his conduct in the action at Tartan, Fort White, Upper Burma, on 4 May 1889).

Kirkbride returned to the U.K. on 26 January 1893, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 2 February of that year. He was discharged on 17 April 1897, after 12 years’ service.

Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.