Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., dated ‘1847’ on edge (Color Serjt. George Longland, 45th Regt. 1847) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine, rare £1,000-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Ron Wright.

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The Army M.S.M., V.R. issue, dated ‘1847’ on the edge, was the earliest version of the M.S.M. issued. Approximately 110 medals of this type were issued, of which approximately 50 are known to be extant. The medal to Longland was the only ‘1847’ M.S.M issue to be awarded to the regiment.

George Longland was born in Cambridge in about 1803. A Carpenter by trade, he attested for the 59th Regiment at Lincoln on 5 April 1822, aged 19 years and was paid a bounty of £3. Promoted to a Corporal in August 1826, he volunteered for the 45th Regiment in December 1828. He was promoted to Corporal in April 1829, to Serjeant in February 1831, and to Color Serjeant in November 1832. He served nearly 16 years in the East Indies and nearly 5 years in the Cape of Good Hope Province. He was awarded the M.S.M. with an annuity of £15 in 1847, and was discharged on 11 December 1848, being considered unfit for further service, suffering from pulmonary disease and rheumatism. He was awarded the Army of India Medal for Bhurtpoor for his service as a Private in the 59th Regiment. He died on 3 August 1881. Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.