Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant W. J. Simmons, Army Hospital Corps

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse originally undated, later engraved, ‘1864.5.6’ (925 1st Sergt., A.H. Corps), officially impressed naming; Army L.S.& G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (925 Sergt., A. H. Corps) slight edge bruising to first, very fine and better (2) £400-450

William James Simmons was born in Gosport, Hampshire. A Clerk by occupation and a member of the 2nd Middlesex Rifle Regiment of Militia, he attested for service in the Medical Staff Corps in June 1855, being promoted Assistant Ward Master the following month. He was transferred in June 1860 as a Serjeant in the Army Hospital Corps, being promoted 1st Class Serjeant in August 1863. Simmons served in the field in New Zealand with the 50th Foot, under Colonel Waddy, in Wanganui from June 1865 to March 1866. In April 1866, he was arrested tried and reduced to Private in the Army Hospital Corps but regained the rank of Sergeant in April 1867. He was discharged on 26 June 1876. His recorded overseas service consisted of 10 months in the Crimea and 2 years, 4 mnths in New Zealand. Sold with copied discharge papers.