Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Colour Sergeant A. Ingham, Essex Regiment

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (1289 Sergt. A. Ingham 2d. Bn. Essex Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1289 Serjt: A. Ingham. Essex Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3-2950 C. Sjt: A. Ingham. Essex R.) first two with heavy edge bruising and contact marks, therefore better than good fine, the LS&GC very fine, unique to Regiment (3) £600-800

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2002.

Albert Ingham was born at Ashton-under-Lyme on 10 March 1869 and attested for the Essex Regiment on 13 February 1884. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 5 February 1889, and Sergeant on 25 October 1891. He served with the Regiment in India, with No. 12 British Field Hospital during the Tirah Expedition 1897-98; and then in Egypt, Malta, and South Africa, and was promoted Colour Sergeant on 1 June 1904. He was discharged on 4 April 1907, after 23 years and 51 days’ service (but was not awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, despite over 20 years’ adult service).

Following the outbreak of the Great War he re-enlisted in the Essex Regiment on 12 September 1914, and was promoted to Colour Sergeant on the same day. He served at the Depot as Acting Company Sergeant Major from 10 January 1915 until 23 February 1918, when he was promoted Company Quartermaster Sergeant. He was finally awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity, per Army Order 107 of 1 April 1918 (after nearly 27 years’ service!), and was discharged to Class ‘Z’ reserve on 14 March 1919, having spent the entire Great War at home.

Note: Only 33 India General Service Medals were awarded to the Essex Regiment. Ingham’s combination of awards is unique to the Regiment.