Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Oxford Gymnasium Medallion, 52mm, bronze, pierced at 12 o’clock with suspension, the obverse centrally engraved ‘Sergt. Rafferty 45th Foot 1861’ within a wreath of two sprigs, laurel to the left and oak to the right, surrounded by a circular buckled belt inscribed in raised lettering ‘Oxford Gymnasium’, the reverse showing the same buckled belt design inscribed with the corps motto ‘Mens sana in corpore sans’ in raised lettering, the centre showing a building with many windows and pointed roof representing the gymnasium, good very fine £40-£50

Alexander Rafferty was born near Castle Bayney, County Monaghan, Ireland around 1831. He attested for the 45th Regiment at Newry, Ireland on 31st January 1849 and was quickly sent with a draft to join the 1st Battalion then serving on the frontier at the Cape of Good Hope. Distributed between the Eastern Frontier and Natal until 1859, the 45th took part in the 3rd Kaffir War of 1851-53 (medal) and the expedition across the Orange River. Rafferty was promoted to Sergeant in 1859 and returned to England with his Regiment the same year having spent nearly 10 years at the Cape.

The following year Rafferty was one of twelve N.C.O.s selected for training for the newly formed Army Gymnastic Staff which was established in 1860 in response to the poor fitness levels of British soldiers revealed by the Crimean war. Major Frederick Hammersley, late 14th regiment, and twelve specially selected NCO’s (the Twelve Apostles) were selected by Mr. McLaren of the Oxford Gymnasium and underwent a specialised course of physical instruction before forming the nucleus of the Army Gymnastic Staff. He was transferred fully to the Gymnastics Staff in August 1868 and was appointed 1st Class Staff Sergeant and Chief Instructor in Gymnastics in January 1969.

On taking his discharge in March 1870, Rafferty was in possession of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a £10 gratuity.

Sold with an annotated photographic image of the ‘Twelve Apostles’, including Rafferty, Oxford, September 1860.

Note: The twelve original sergeant instructors were each awarded a bronze medallion. One medallion struck in silver without suspension, was awarded to Major Frederick Hammersley and this now resides in the Corps Museum with his Crimea campaign medals and awards.