Orders, Decorations and Medals

Eight: Private John Barnes, 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, formerly Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was awarded a Medaille Militaire in France in 1914 at which time he was aged 43

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (2833 Pte., 1st Bn. Ryl. Sco. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (2833 Pte., 2. R. Scots. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (L-14047 Pte., 4/Midd’x. R.); British War and Victory Medals (14047 Pte., Midd’x. R.); Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2833 Pte., Rl. Scots Fus.); French Medaille Militaire, last with severe enamel damage, otherwise generally very fine and better (8) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

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Medaille Militaire announced in Army Order 183 of 11 November 1914.

John Barnes was born in Drogheda in 1871 and enlisted into the Royal Scots Fusiliers in August 1889 aged 18. He served at home from 1887-1896, India 1896-1899, South Africa 1899-1900, and home 1900 - 1914, prior to serving with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 13 August 1914 to 26 October 1914, when he was returned home suffering with plurisy. He continued to serve with his regiment at home, subsequently transferring to the Labour Corps and was discharged in 1920 after 33 years continuous service, during which time his name never appeared in the Regimental Conduct Book.

Sold with copy service papers which confirm medal entitlement, including Medaille Militaire and Coronation 1911, his papers stating ‘awarded Coronation Medal as a personal gift of H.M. The King.’