Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Bandmaster W. Orton, 1st Dragoon Guards

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1377. Band Master, W. Orton. 1st D. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1377. Band Mr. W. Orton, 1st Dn. Gds.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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William Orton was born in the Parish of New London, North America, and enlisted into the 9th Lancers at Aldershot on 21 September 1861, for 12 years service, aged 17 years 1 month, a musician by trade. He had previously seen service as a staff drummer in the 2nd Warwickshire Militia, which he had joined on 29 May 1857. He was promoted to Corporal in August 1864, to Sergeant in April 1873, and to Trumpet-Major in October 1873 but reverted to Sergeant in August 1874. He re-engaged to complete 21 years and transferred to the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards in April 1875, on appointment as Bandmaster of that regiment. He was discharged at Gosport on 19 December 1882, having completed 21 years 91 days service, during which time he had served abroad in South Africa from February 1879 to September 1880, and afterwards in India until December 1882. He was in possession of the Zulu War medal with clasp 1879 and the L.S. & G.C. medal which he received on 1 October 1880. Sold with copied discharge papers.