A Collection of New Zealand War Medals

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (589. Josiah Leak. 50th Qns. Own Regt.) officially impressed naming, dark toned, polished and with light edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine £500-£600

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

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According to British Battles and Medals only eight medals were issued to the 50th with these reverse dates.

Josiah Leak was born in the Parish of Norton in the Moors, Staffordshire, and attested for the 50th at Newcastle under Lyme on 29 December 1855, aged 18, a whitesmith by trade. He served abroad in New Zealand from 15 November 1863 to 9 June 1867, thereafter in Australia until 14 June 1869, and otherwise at Home. He was discharged in the rank of Sergeant at Colchester on 29 October 1881, returning to Staffordshire where he died at Cheadle in 1899, aged 63.

Sold with copied discharge papers and a detailed biography of his military service.