Auction Catalogue

1 December 2010

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 223 x

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1 December 2010

Hammer Price:
£1,050

Four: Colour-Sergeant William Cole, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (W. Cole, Pte. R.M. H.M.S. Encounter. 73-74); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (W. Cole, Sergt. R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Willm. Cole, Sergeant R.M.L.I.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, edge bruising and contact marks from star, nearly very fine (4)
£550-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74.

View A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74

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Collection

William Cole was born in the parish of Plympton St Mary’s, near Plymouth, on 12 January 1849, and enlisted for the Royal Marines at Plymouth on 12 August 1867. After 4 years 286 days service in the Plymouth Division he purchased his discharge on 24 May 1872, and re-enlisted for the Royal Marines at Chatham on 16 August 1872, then aged 23 years 3 months. He served aboard H.M.S. Encounter from 28 August 1873 to 14 December 1877, including operations during the Ashantee war of 1873-74, and with the Royal Marine Battalion in Egypt from 10 February 1884 to 16 May 1885, including engagements at Suakin and Tofrek. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1884. Cole was discharged at Chatham on 6 November 1888, having completed 21 years service. Sold with three parchment certificates of service which confirm all medals and clasps, and a small photograph of Colour-Sergeant Cole in later life.