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

Three: Colour-Sergeant W. H. Lester, Leicestershire Militia, late 17th Regiment

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Will[m. Les]ter, Col. Sergt., 2d Battn. 17th [Regt.]), contemporary engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue (448 [Cr. S]ergt., 2nd Bn. 17th Foot); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (No. 448 Color Serjt., 2 17 Regiment), depot impressed naming, the first with replacement suspension post and severe contact marks and edge bruising (with resultant loss of naming details), poor, the second with refixed suspension claw and edge bruising (with resultant loss of naming details), good fine and the last a polished fine (3) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Leicester Regiment and Yeomanry formed by the late Trevor Harris.

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William Henry Lester was born in the parish of St. Margaret’s, Leicester and enlisted in the 17th Regiment in Bombay as a boy recruit in June 1841, aged 13 years. In his subsequent career of 21 years with the Colours, his overseas postings included active service before Sebastopol in the Crimea War, a year of duty in the East Indies and another three in North America, a period that witnessed his advancement to Drummer in November 1844, to Corporal in August 1854, to Sergeant in January 1855 and to Colour-Sergeant in August 1858. On being discharged from the 17th Regiment in December 1866, Lester transferred to the Leicestershire Militia and was discharged for a final time in February 1880.

A quantity of original documentation appertaining to the recipient’s career resides in the collection of the Leicestershire Record Office, photocopies and / or details of which are included in the Lot.