Victorian Medal to 1st Stirlingshire Volunteer Artillery

[Owen]

I know this isn't a Gallantry or Campaign medal, so my apologies if it doesn't belong here...just wasn't sure where else to post it. It is an E Bay purchase, bought simply because it interested me. It is actually outside my collecting area of Peninsular War/Napoleonic era medals. Still, I thought someone else might be interested in it too. The medal is engraved: QUO FAS ET PATRIA DU###### &1ST STIR VOL ARTY,GRANGEMOUTH (diameter of medal is 37mm and is on a swivel suspender). Quo fas et gloria du######: = Where duty and glory lead. Based on a small amount of research, I think it dates to between 1863 - 1880.

A small amount of research has thrown up the following history on the Stirlingshire Artillery Volunteers and is taken from the book 'Records of the Scottish volunteer force, 1859-1908 (1909)' by Sir James Moncrieff Grierson (1859-1914). His book is digitized on the online library at www.archive.org (http://www.archive.o...ottis00grierich).

The 1st Stirlingshire Volunteer Artillery were a part of the Fife Artillery which was formed in 1860, with several coastal towns forming batteries. The various batteries were attached to the 1st Administration Brigade Fifeshire Artillery Volunteers when it was formed on 27th November 1860. The Brigade HQ was initially at Kirkcaldy but moved to St. Andrews in 1861. In 1863 the Stirlingshire Artillery Volunteers were added to the Brigade (Grangemouth had formed on March 27th 1860). In 1880 the brigade was consolidated and retitled the 1st Fifeshire Artillery Volunteers, headquarters at St. Andrews, the Fife batteries retaining their previous numbers and the Stirlingshire corps becoming the 12th and 13th batteries. The following extracts are from the on-line book above and describe the uniform of the Stirlingshire Volunteers and a bit more history & pictures of the medal follow:

Edited June 25, 2011 by Monkey

[Chris Boonzaier]

Interesting and nice medal.

I wonder if it was generic for Volunteer artillery units? The unit seems to be ungraved, if it was made especially for them I would have thought all that would have been in part of the die?

[pjac]

I worked in Grangemouth for many years, so this medal has particular interest.Thanks for posting it.

Patrick

[Mervyn Mitton]

Very unusual - I would think a presentation from the CO for good service - or, length of service. Obviously a generic pattern with the details engraved on the reverse - but, no name or reason. The troops in uniform with their cannon are well done. I would check with one of the London auction houses - Spinks or, perhaps Christies - for a value.

[IrishGunner]

Very, very nice. I'm envious. :cheers:

[Owen]

Many thanks to all for your comments, I am pleased that it has been of interest. I agree that it is likely to be a generic Volunteer Artillery medal and, as such, there ought to be other examples. My gut feeling is that it is not of any real monetary value, but I will keep up the research and will certainly take it up to London for an opinion next time I'm there. Thanks again and I have to say that a big part of the pleasure in having these medals is sharing them and hearing your thoughts.