Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Red River 1870 (9335 Sap. W. Brown, R.E.) officially engraved naming, fitted with silver ribbon buckle, toned, good very fine and rare £800-1000

Confirmed on the roll as one of only 7 clasps for Red River 1870 to the Royal Engineers.

William Brown was born in the Parish of St Andrews, Plymouth, Devon, and enlisted at Devonport on 22 August 1867, a former Tin Smith, aged 19 years 10 months. He served in Canada for 7 years from April 1869, during which time he took part in the Red River expedition in 1870. Brown rose steadily through the ranks, becoming Company Sergeant Major Foreman of Works in July 1881, but in July 1886 ‘reverted by order of H.R.H. for inefficiency’ to the rank of Corporal. He was discharged in this rank on 25 August 1888.