Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1878-9 (753 Pte. J. Corns, 80th Foot) edge bruising and minor contact marks, very fine £220-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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John Corns was born in the Parish of St. John’s, Wolverhampton and enlisted in the 80th Foot at Manchester in August 1876, aged 22 years. He gave his previous occupation as that of ‘Engine Driver’. In his subsequent career of just five years with the Colours, Corns was imprisoned on no less than four occasions, each of them as a result of desertion or absence without leave. But he was around to see action against the Sekukuni and Zulus between 1878-79, and was no doubt present at Intombe River on 12 March 1879, when the 80th suffered some 60 casualties, either killed or missing.

Corns was discharged at Cork in July 1882 in consequence of the following medical report:

‘States he was operated on for cateract when a small boy in the Birmingham Infirmary and that he never could see the target, or get out of the musketry course, and always missed his aim when he fired. And he has never been able to estimate distance. In December 1881 he was struck across the eyes with a stick and he says his sight has been worse since. At present he has photophobia, walks with an uncertain gait, his eyes have a vacant stare, the pupils are dilated, the iris sluggish ... [and] a congested condition of the retina in both eyes with enlarged vessels on right. Is not the result of climate or military service, or epidemic or endemic causes, but has been aggravated by vice, intemperance and by misconduct. Has not been caused by service.’