The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

Abyssinia 1867 (1083 J. Curren H.M. 96th. Regt.) minor edge bruising, good very fine and rare to unit £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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Only three officers and 19 other ranks of the 96th Foot qualified for the Abyssinia Medal 1867-68, all for service with the ‘Transport Train’.

James Curren was born at Banbridge, Co. Down, Ireland, in 1837 and attested at Liverpool for service as a Private in the Rifle Brigade on 22 August 1855. He transferred to the 69th Regiment on 1 January 1857 being promoted Corporal on 1 November the same year. He served in India and Burma, but was reduced to Private in April 1860 after assaulting another Corporal. In January 1864 he transferred to the 108th (Madras Infantry) Regiment at Trimulgherry, near Secunderabad, being promoted Corporal in February 1887, Sergeant in March and Colour Sergeant in April of the same year. In June 1885 he was transferred to the 1/18th (Royal Irish) Regiment, reverting to Private and in 1866 transferred to the 96th Regiment.

Private Curren was in a party of three officers and 19 other ranks who were seconded for service in the Transport Corps for the Expedition to Abyssinia in 1868. He remained in India for the rest of his army service, transferring again to 40th (2nd Somerset) Regiment in 1873. He was discharged after a Disability Board had concluded that he was ‘permanently impaired’ returning to the U.K. and was finally discharged from the army at Netley Hospital in 1877.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.