Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant G. Spriggs, 78th Highlanders

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Persia (Drumr., 78th Highlanders); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (3312 Sergt., 78th Foot) the first with bent / slack suspension post and the second with traces of brooch-mounting in reverse field, both with contact marks, edge bruising and polished, otherwise fine or better (2) £180-220

George Spriggs was born in Aden and a ‘scholar at the regimental school’ prior to enlisting in the 78th Highlanders at Poona as a boy recruit in January 1855, aged 12 years. Appointed a Drummer in July 1856, he went on to witness active service in the Persian operations under Outram and afterwards in the Lucknow operations of March 1858 during the Indian Mutiny. Clearly a reliable soldier, he gained advancement to Corporal in October 1866 and to Sergeant in October 1875, and added a new riband to his uniform for services as the 78th’s Drum-Major during the Second Afghan War in 1880. Spriggs, who was finally discharged at Netley in June 1882, was also the recipient of the L.S. & G.C. Medal.