Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1893-94 (13695. 2/Cl: Mr. Gr. R. Cole. R.A.) very fine £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

View
Collection

Richard Cole was born at Woolwich, Kent, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Westminster on 16 July 1875, aged 15 years, a musician by trade. He served overseas in South Africa from 10 March 1881 to 2 March 1882; in India from 23 February 1884 to 28 April 1887; in St Helena from 9 August 1888 to 25 January 1889; in Sierra Leone from 21 March to 11 April 1890; and from 27 May 1893 to 19 July 1894 in ‘operations on the Gambia’, for which he received the ‘Medal for West Africa with clasp 1893-4.’ He had been promoted to Corporal in February 1880, and appointed 2nd Class Instructor in Musketry in January 1883. He was then promoted Sergeant & 1st Class Instructor in Musketry in February 1884; 3rd Class Master Gunner in April 1888; 2nd Class Master Gunner (Warrant Officer) in January 1889; 1st Class Master Gunner (W.O.) in January 1898; and finally to a Commission as Lieutenant on 11 January 1899.

Sold with copied discharge papers.