Orders, Decorations and Medals

South Africa 1877-79, clasp, 1877-8-9 (W. Rayner, Pte. R.M. H.M.S. “Active”) extremely fine £350-450

Confirmed on the roll for the clasp ‘1877-8-9’. Only 124 clasps issued to the navy, mostly to men from Active.

William Rayner was born at Gayton, Lynn, Norfolk, in 1849, and enlisted for the Royal Marines at York on 5 April, 1867, for 12 years. Sold with copies of his service papers which state: ‘Landed with Naval Brigade for operation against Kaffirs from 16 Dec 1877 to 31 Mar 1878. Landed with Naval Brigade in Zulu War 19 Nov 1878 to 31 July 1879’.