Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (621 Lce. Corpl. J. H. Symcox, 91st Foot) very fine £240-280

John Henry Symcox was born in Ranipet, East Indies. He enlisted into the 58th Brigade at the Curragh Camp on 1 December 1875. Posted to the 91st Regiment he served overseas in South Africa, July 1879-November 1886; in Ceylon, November 1886-March 1887 and in India, November 1891-February 1897. Appointed Lance Sergeant in April 1878 but was reduced to Private in February 1879 for being drunk on duty. Symcox regained the rank of Sergeant in December 1880 but was reduced to Corporal in February 1890 for being absent. Regaining his rank in September 1891, he attained the rank of Colour Sergeant in February 1897 and was discharged at that rank in October 1904. During 1899-1904, he was Drill Instructor and Teacher of Gymnastics at the John Neilson Institution, Paisley. John Symcox died in Kinghorn, Fife in 1935. The above was his only medallic award. With copied service papers and other research relating to his civilian life.