Pair: Colour Sergeant E. A. Tempest, 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers), later Kent Volunteer Rifles, who was recognised as a fine drill instructor

South Africa 1834-53 (E. A. Tempest. 90th. Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (No. 1616 Color Serjt. Edward Alfred Tempest.) contact marks and polishing to first, this good fine, the second nearly very fine (2) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals - The Property of a Gentleman.

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Edward Alfred Tempest was born in the Parish of St. Mary’s, Hull, on 16 December 1822. A labourer by trade, he attested for the 90th Regiment of Foot at London on 16 November 1839, whilst underage. Posted to Ceylon, Mauritius and the Cape of Good Hope, he witnessed one year and nine months of active service during the Kaffir Wars and was raised Colour Sergeant on 15 June 1852. Awarded the L.S & G.C. Medal with £15 gratuity on 18 March 1859, he was discharged from the 90th Foot at Canterbury after 22 years with the Colours on 11 January 1862, his conduct stated as ‘very good’.

Keen to serve his local community, Tempest joined the Kent Volunteer Rifles and caught the attention of the Kentish Chronicle on 24 May 1862:
‘Presentation of a Testimonial to Sergeant-Major Tempest, Drill Instructor to the 5th Corps, K.V.R. - On Tuesday last, those members of the Kent Rifle Volunteers who have joined this last winter met at Sergeant Norman’s, for the purpose of presenting their drill instructor, Mr. Tempest, with a testimonial. Mr. Thomas Southee presided and read the following address:- “This testimonial was presented, together with a gold breast pin, to Sergeant-Major Edward Alfred Tempest of the 4th Battalion of the Kent Volunteer Rifles, by the under mentioned members of the 5th corps, as a mark of their esteem and satisfaction for his kindness and unceasing attention in perfecting them in their drill during the winter of 1861 and 1862.”’

Released from service on 15 July 1876, Tempest’s Army Service Record later lists a number of minor indiscretions, notably drunken & dissipated in Canterbury on 3 July 1879. Admitted to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 1 February 1887, Tempest died on 8 April 1889.

Sold with copied service record.