South Africa 1834-53 + Indian Mutiny Medal Pair

[Guest Darrell]

Private 2383 Robert Walby 43rd Regiment of Foot

The below pair of medals were awarded to Robert Walby who served with the 43^rd Regiment of FOOT. He was born in the Parish of Little Livermere at or near the town of Bury Saint Edmonds in the County of Suffolk in 1829. He was attested into the 43^rd Regiment of Light Infantry on 15 October 1846 when he was a little over 17 ½ years old.

He served a total of 12 years 351 days, of which 7 years 10 months was spent abroad. Of these almost years, he spent almost 2 years in the Cape of Good Hope and near 6 years in the Far East.

He was discharged on 9 October 1859 due to Medical Disability. The records state “Pain near the liver region” and Pulmonary Disease due to the climate.

At the time of his discharge, he had been issued Regimental Number 2383 and had in his possession 2 Good Conduct Badges. Notes made mentioned he had never been tried by Court Marshall and his conduct had been “good”.

He is listed in the Medal Rolls for eligibility for the South Africa Medal 1834-53 for his participation in the “3^rd Kaffir” War during 1850-53. His time in India made him eligible for the Indian Mutiny Medal (w/o Clasp). This is also backed up by appropriate entries in the Indian Mutiny Medal Rolls.

As I have posted Indian Mutiny Medals elsewhere, I will not list the description and details of that one in this thread:

SOUTH AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL 1834-53

Description:

The obverse bears the head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA'. The reverse has a crouching lion in front of a mimosa bush with the words 'SOUTH AFRICA' above and the date '1853' in the exergue below. The suspender is an ornate scroll swiveling type sweated to the medal.

Clasps:

No clasps were originally authorized for this medal. However recipients who later became eligible for the South Africa Service Medal 1877-79 received only the dated clasp for the 1834-53 medal.

Ribbon:

The ribbon is 1.25" wide and yellow-orange with two broad and two narrow dark blue stripes on either edge. It has been said the later South Africa Medal 1877-79 should have this brighter yellow-orange ribbon while the 1834-53 medal has a paler or biscuit shaded ribbon.

Naming:

Naming is done in impressed Roman capitals.

Notes:

This medal was issued in 1854 to those who had fought in the three Cape Frontier or Kaffir Wars between 1834 and 1853.

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South Africa Medal Obverse:

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Obverse Closeup:

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Reverse:

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Reverse Closeup. NOTE the differences between these medals and the more common 1877-79 Basuto and Zulu Medals.

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Naming on the edge of the rim in "Officially impressed" lettering:

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b.

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c.

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Copies of the Medal Rolls from the Archives. If these are not just as bad, they are worse trying to decipher than the Crimean War Rolls. Absolutely brutal. However, Walby fortunately was located at the top of a page.

a. The header for listing of all those eligible for the Africa 1834-53 Medal.

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b. The actual page where Walby is listed. If you can read to the far upper right it details the column referring to the 3rd Kaffir War period 1850-1853.

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Another medal roll that lists Walby for the same service. Source unknown as this page came with the medals. I have an idea, but will not know for a week or so.

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The Asplin Medal Roll:

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Indian Mutiny Medal - Obverse:

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Closeup of Obverse:

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Reverse:

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Closeup of Reverse:

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Naming on the edge of the rim in "Impressed Capitals".

a.

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b.

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c.

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d.

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Copies of the Medal Rolls from the Archives listing Walby as being entitled to the Indian Mutiny Medal (w/o Clasps).

a. This first one has the header information that details what each column signifies.

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b. The second copy is farther down the roll where Walby's name is listed (in the W's obviously):

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And finally 6 Pages that detail his discharge, service and medical information.

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b.

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c.