Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant-Drummer R. J. Ford, Suffolk Regiment, later London Regiment

British War Medal 1914-20 (879061 Sjt. R. J. Ford. 33-Lond. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1827 Sjt: Dmr: R. J. Ford. Suffolk Regt.) edge bruise to latter, very fine or better (2) £120-£140

Richard James Ford was born in 1869 in Belfast and attested for the Suffolk Regiment at Bury St. Edmunds on 24 September 1886, having previously served in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion. Advanced to Sergeant Drummer on 16 April 1891, he was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a Gratuity of £5 per Army Order 2 of January 1907, and was discharged on 22 January 1913, after 26 years and 121 days’ service. On the outbreak of the Great War he was embodied into the Yorkshire Regiment on 17 August 1914, before being posted to the 18th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, on 23 February 1915. He transferred to the 33rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment on 1 July 1918, and briefly saw active service with them overseas on the Western Front from 3 July 1918 (also entitled to a Victory Medal), having previously served in home service. He was discharged on 21 March 1919, after a further 4 years and 217 days’ service, and retired to Colchester.