Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (4444 Pte. J. Jones, 1st Bn. Rif. Brig.) nearly extremely fine
£160-200

George Summers enlisted into the Royal Engineers at Canterbury on 29 July 1878. As 15863 Driver in the 17th Mounted Company R.E., he deserted on 7 April 1881. He then re-attested for the Rifle Brigade at Beverley, East Yorkshire on 3 May 1881, giving his name as John Jones, age 22 years, stating his birthplace to be Penge, Kent, occupation as Blacksmith, without any previous military service.

John Jones was posted to the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade but was transferred to the 2nd Battalion in March 1882. He served in India, March 1882-December 1887. In September he confessed to having deserted from the Royal Engineers and having re-enlisted under a false name. He was exempted from trial under a section of the Army Act. In December 1887 he was transferred to the Army Reserve; being discharged on 2 May 1893. With copied service papers, including copied letter of confession.