Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1834-53 (M. Swiney, 91st Regt.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise better than good fine £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kuriheka Collection of British Medals.

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Collection

Ex Glendinning May 1913.

804 medals to this regiment, comprising 200 for the 2nd Kaffir War 1846-47, 237 for the 3rd Kaffir War 1850-53, and 364 to those who fought in both the 2nd and 3rd Kaffir Wars.

Michael Sweeney (Swiney on some musters) was born at Barony, Glasgow, and attested there for the 91st Regiment on 17 June 1843, aged 16 years. He served at the Cape of Good Hope for 11 years 5 months, including service with the Reserve Battalion during the 2nd and 3rd Kaffir Wars. He subsequently served for 10 months in the Mediterranean, and 9 years in the East Indies. By the time of his discharge in October 1866, he had been 72 times entered in the Regimental Defaulters Book and tried 6 times by Court Martial. His discharge papers note that he was discharged in consequence of being worn out due to varicose veins of the right leg occasioned by ‘heavy marching in the Cape War of 1853’. Sold with copy discharge papers.