India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1889-92 (885 Pte. J. Longman 2d. Bn. Devon. Regt.) light contact marks, very fine £140-£180

James Longman, alias Jno Lorimer, was born in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, and attested for the Devonshire Regiment at Exeter on 4 July 1884. A carpenter by trade, he witnessed initial service at Newry but was soon convicted by Court Martial of fraudulent enlistment on 31 July 1885. Imprisoned for 199 days, Longman was released and immediately posted overseas to India aboard H.M.S. Crocodile on 15 February 1886. His Army Service Record notes a plethora of illnesses and accidents at around this time including a contusion suffered on 18 July 1886 in consequence of being struck by a cricket ball on the foot. Posted to Burma on 29 December 1888, Longman took part in the advance up the Irrawaddy River and in operations against the local tribespeople, and on 26 February 1892 he received a wound to the left hand at Namliku caused by a bamboo stake (’panjie’). Transferring to the Army Reserve, Longman was discharged on 30 July 1897.