Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colonel L. L. Brett, West India Regiment

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (Capt., 2nd W.I. Regt. 1873-4); Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Lionel L. Brett, 14 Augt. 1867) lacking silver ribbon buckle, some light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise better than very fine (2) £500-600

Lionel Lowdham Brett was born in Herefordshire on 2 June 1838, and was appointed Ensign in the 2nd West India Regiment on 16 January 1858, becoming Lieutenant in March 1860. He served in the operations against the King of Quiah, West Coast of Africa, in 1861, and commanded a detachment of the 2nd West India Regiment at the battle of Songo, when attacked by the enemy in great force on 21 December of that year. On this occasion Brett rallied his men and directed their fire which was aided by the unusual use of rockets at close range. The battle raged for two hours until the enemy withdrew with heavy losses numbering some 150 killed and wounded.

Brett also took part in the suppression of the Jamaican Rebellion in 1865, after which he accompanied the left wing of the 2nd W.I.R. to the Gold Coast. Whilst on leave to England from March to November 1867, Brett was instrumental in saving the lives of two ladies from drowning at Newquay, Cornwall, on 14 August 1867, and was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for his exertions. Returning to the Gold Coast, he served as Fort Adjutant at Cape Coast Castle, from November 1867 until June 1868. During the Ashantee War of 1873-74, he fought at the actions of Essaman, Accamfo, Ampenee, Dunquah, and Abrakrampa (Mentioned in Despatches, Medal and Brevet of Major).

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and O.C. 2nd W.I. Regiment in October 1877, Brett became a Colonel in the Army in October 1881, and went on half-pay in October 1882. He was appointed to the command of the 62nd Regimental District at Devizes, Wiltshire, in April 1883, went on half-pay in April 1888, and retired on 20 July 1892.