A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

Pair: Serjeant-Major J. Blackford, 96th Regiment

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (301 C. Sergt., 96th Foot); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Sjt. Mjr., 96th Foot) good very fine and better (2) £300-360

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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James Blackford was born in Portsea, Hampshire on 20 April 1840. He attested for the 96th Regiment at Aldershot on 7 June 1858. He was promoted to Corporal in July 1859; Sergeant in October 1860; Colour Sergeant in September 1863 and Sergeant-Major in October 1876. Served overseas in the Cape of Good Hope for two years, eight months and in the East Indies for over five years. Awarded the L.S. & G.C. with a gratuity of £5 in January 1879 and the M.S.M. with an annuity of £10 on 25 November 1909, these were his only medallic awards. In November 1878 he transferred to the 6th Royal Lancashire Militia as Permanent Sergeant-Major. Discharged having completed his second period of service on 4 June 1879. Then, moving to Salford, he joined the Salford City Police as a Constable on 14 January 1880. He was promoted to Sergeant in January 1881 and to Inspector six months later. He retired from the police service in December 1909. He died on 15 April 1913. With copied service papers and other research.