Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A R.V.M. group of five awarded to Drum Major E. Rafter, 4th Foot, who later served as the last Bandmaster of the Royal Irish Constabulary, from 1900 until the R.I.C.s disbandment in 1922

Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., silver, unnamed as issued; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (2181. Dm. Mr. W. Rafter, 2/4th. Foot); Visit to Ireland 1900 (Bd. Mas. W. Rafter. R.I.C.) lacking integral top shamrock suspension bar; Visit to Ireland 1903 (W. Rafter. Band. M. R.I.C.) lacking integral top shamrock suspension bar; Visit to Ireland 1911, unnamed as issued, contact marks and minor edge bruising, nearly very fine or better (5) £1,800-£2,200

William Rafter was born in Co. Armagh in February 1858. His father was a Bandsman in the 4th Foot, and the young Rafter followed his father into the Regiment in August 1871, serving as a Boy Drummer, before being accepted into the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall. Promoted Drum Major in 1878, he served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Zulu War, before transferring to the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers as Bandmaster in April 1886. He was discharged on 28 February 1900, after 28 years and 206 days’ service, on being appointed Bandmaster of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and held this position until the disbandment of the constabulary in 1922. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver on 18 July 1903 on the occasion of H.M. King Edward VII’s Visit to Ireland.

Sold with the recipient’s R.I.C. cap badge; a photographic image of the recipient, copied service papers, and a large quantity of research.