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Lot

№ 860

.

11 December 2014

Hammer Price:
£700

Three: Private J. McMurtrie, 42nd Regiment (Royal Highlanders)

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (J. McMurtrie, 42nd Regt.) officially impressed naming, suspension refitted; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Jas. McMurtrie, 42nd Foot); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, pierced with ring suspension, cleaned, edge bruising, contact marks, good fine (3) £500-560

James McMurtrie was born in Stranraer, Wigton. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the 91st Regiment in 1853 before transferring to the 42nd Regiment. With the regiment he served 3 months in Turkey and 1 year 10 months in the Crimea; 6 years 9 months in the East Indies, 4 years 6 months in Gibraltar and 2 years 3 months in Malta. Saw active service in the Crimean War and in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny. Awarded Good Conduct Pay three times, which he forfeited twice; his name was entered 32 times in the Regimental Defaulters Book and he was tried three times by court martial and imprisoned for drunkenness. He was discharged to a Pension at Netley on 21 September 1875; his intended place of residence stated to be Stranraer. With copied discharge papers.