A Small Series of Medals for the Ashantee Campaign (1873-74)

Pair: Sergeant-Major G. Munro, Seaforth Highlanders, late 42nd Highlanders, who was brought to notice for his ‘conspicuous courage and discipline throughout the war on the Gold Coast’

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (2047 Pte., 42nd Highds., 1873-4); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Hazara 1888 (2338 Sergt. -Major, 2d Bn. Sea. Highrs.) edge bruising and light contact marks, generally very fine and an extremely rare combination (2) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Series of Medals for the Ashantee Campaign (1873-74).

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George Munro was born in the parish of St. Giles, Edinburgh in November 1853 and enlisted for ‘General Service, Infantry’ in November 1871. Posted to the 42nd Highlanders in the following month, he was embarked for service on the Gold Coast at the end of 1873. Subsequently engaged in the operations of 3 December of that year until March 1874, he was present at the battle of Amoaful, when the 42nd had over 100 men wounded, and at the capture of Coomassie, services that won him an official endorsement for bravery on his service record.

Advanced to Corporal on departing the Gold Coast for service in the Mediterranean theatre at the end of 1874, Munro was transferred to the Army Reserve on arriving back home in January 1878. But in April of the latter year he was recalled to the Colours and joined the 78th Seaforth Highlanders in the rank of Lance-Sergeant. Rapid promotion followed, culminating with his advancement to Sergeant-Major in May 1885.

Munro subsequently witnessed further active service with the 2nd Battalion of the Seaforths, firstly with the Hazara Field Force under Major-General J. W. McQueen in the operations against the Black Mountain tribes between October and November 1888, and again under Major-General W. K. Elles in the operations against the Hassanzais and Akazais between March and May 1891, once again as part of the Hazara Field Force.

He was finally discharged to a pension in March 1897, stating his intended place of residence as ‘The Canteen, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, Dover, Kent’, presumably in the role of Canteen Manager.