Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (4277 Drumr. T. Godfrey H.M’s. 54th. Regt.) edge bruising and contact marks to obverse field, very fine £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Thomas Godfrey was born in Fermoy, Cork, in 1844 and attested for the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment at Canterbury, Kent, on 11 March 1856, aged 12. He served as a Drummer in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was present during the pursuit of the 34th Native Infantry in the Cacher and Sylhet Districts, and the occupation of forts.

Godfrey was discharged at Netley on 16 February 1881, unfit for further service, due to ‘disease of the spleen, the result of service in the army, the effect of long exposure to malaria and unhealthy climate in the performance of his duty as a soldier’, after 18 years and 342 days’ service, of which 17 years and 8 months had been spent in India. It is clear from Drummer Godfrey’s discharge papers that he was just 13 years of age during his Mutiny service

Sold with copied service papers.