Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (1676, Corpl. T, Martin, H.Ms. 53rd Regt.) toned, very fine £200-£260

Thomas Martin was born at Killbeagh, County Down, and attested for the 53rd Foot at Greenock, Renfrew, on 15 November 1852, aged 17 years 9 months. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1850, and to Sergeant in December 1852, but was tried, confined and reduced to Private in March 1855. In 1858, he was again tried and imprisoned for two months, July to September. He regained the rank of Corporal in January 1863 and was promoted to Sergeant in January 1864, shortly before his discharge at Portsmouth on 26 July 1864. At the time of his discharge he was ‘in possession of a Sutlej Medal and clasp [Aliwal, Sobraon], a Punjab Medal and a Medal for the Indian Mutiny with two clasps [Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow]’, and was wounded by a musket shot in the thigh at the relief of Lucknow, 18 November 1857.

120 medals were issued to the 53rd Foot for the North West Frontier operations of March and May 1852 under Brigadier-General Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B., before it was later decided that the regiment was not entitled and further awards to the regiment were not approved. The issued medals, however, were never reclaimed. Sold with copied discharge papers.