Indian Mutiny Medal - Defence of Lucknow

Not for the first time, seeing a desirable item appear on a stock list had me thinking, "if only I had [in this case] £1875 to spare..." I would love an Indian Mutiny Medal with the Defence of Lucknow clasp. At this point in time I only possess one IM medal and that's to Colour Sergeant John Keatinge of the 1/8th Foot who has clasps for Lucknow and Defence of Lucknow; a man I have researched quite extensively and who spent many years in India, ultimately dying there in 1872.

But this medal from the London Medal Company Ltd is particularly attractive to me at this point in time because I have just finished reading (again) William Forbes-Mitchell's Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1857-9, which must be one of the best, if not the best, Other Rank account of soldiering in Queen Victoria's army; and I am also dipping in and out of A Lady's diary of the Siege of Lucknow.

Father Christmas, if you're listening, I'd like medals this year please, not more socks and after-shave.

Boxer Rebellion & 14 Star Trio

Here's a nice group with a nice mark-up to match, from The London Medal Company's latest catalogue. I was an under-bidder on this group to W H Jewell of the Royal Horse Artillery when it sold for £340 at an Essex auction house last month. LMC now have it at a somewhat eye-watering £795. Quite some mark-up that, even with the 20 per cent buyer's premium, but I suppose those Cecil Court rents must be eye-watering too.  

Read more about this group, and others, at the London Medal Company website.  

Image copyright, London Medal Company.

London Medal Company - New additions

I like what I've seen from The London Medal Company so far and so I'm happy to post these links to the company's website. I bought a modest group the other week but it did come with a lot of supporting ephemera including some great photos which will hopefully open up other research avenues.

The item pictured above comprises a "Second World War Battle of France May 1940 Hurricane Fighter Pilot’s casualty group awarded to Pilot Officer R.W. Burton, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew operationally with No.85 Squadron, and when performing a ground attack, was killed in action, being shot down by either M.E.109’s or anti aircraft fire on 20th May 1940."  So there.

London Medal Company - New additions

The London Medal Company Ltd has announced some nice new items including this triple gallantry group to 7860 Corporal Albert Hainge of the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment; yours for £12,000.