A Collection of New Zealand War Medals

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1866 (661. John Knowles, 2nd Bn. 18th Ryl. Irish Regt.) officially impressed naming, nearly very fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of New Zealand War Medals.

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John Knowles was born in Liverpool and attested for the 18th Regiment at Manchester on 27 September 1858, aged 25, a tailor by trade. He served in New Zealand for 6 years 2 months, and then in Australia for 6 months. He claimed his discharge at Aldershot on 2 October 1879, being then in possession of four good conduct badges and the New Zealand medal. Although his conduct was described as ‘very good’, he had in fact been reported in the Victorian Police Gazette of 9 August 1870 as having ‘deserted from H.M. 18th Foot, at Melbourne, on the 30th July.’ There is, however, no mention of this in his service papers. The medal roll confirms his service in New Zealand from 1863 to 1866, and his presence at Orakau and Keteonatea.

Sold with copied discharge papers and detailed but incomplete biography of his service in New Zealand and Australia.