Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (1096 Pte. W. Burgess, 69: Regt.) officially impressed naming, extremely fine £300-360

William Burgess was born at Breamore, Hampshire, on 27 March 1847, and enlisted for a term of ten years into the 69th Foot at Gosport on 22 September 1864, aged 17 years 6 months, a musician by trade. Prior to his enlistment he had been serving as a volunteer in the Hampshire Artillery Militia since June 1863. He served in Canada from 19 August 1867 to 14 November 1870, and took part in the suppression of the second Fenian uprising in May 1870, the 69th being part of the force that defeated the Fenians at Trout River, Quebec, on 27 May. After service in Canada, Burgess went with the regiment to Bermuda until April 1873, and thence to Gibraltar, where he was promoted to Corporal in January 1874 and re-engaged to complete 21 years on 21 February 1874. He returned Home in May 1874 and then served in Gibraltar from October 1876 to December 1878, being promoted to Sergeant in April of that year before returning Home once more. On 16 August 1882, he transferred to the 3rd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment as a Sergeant Drummer until discharged at Warrington on 3 November 1885.

Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll extract.