Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare M.S.M. group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant John Kelly, 22nd Regiment, later Military Train and a Yeoman of the Guard

Meeanee Hyderabad 1843 (Corpl. J. Kelly. 22nd Foot.) naming officially impressed in small capitals, fitted with scroll suspension; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (1480 St. Dy. Pt. Ml. J. Kelly H.Ms 1st Bn. 22nd Regt.); Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Color Serjt. J. Kelly. 22nd Regt.) contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise about nearly very fine and a rare group (3) £2,000-£2,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Yeomen of the Guard formed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Denny.

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Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2002.

John Kelly was born at Borrisokane, County Tipperary, and enlisted for the 22nd Regiment at Dublin on 20 September 1839. Recently promoted to Corporal, he served during the Scinde campaign of 1843 and was present at the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1845, and to Color-Sergeant in February 1851, reverting again to Sergeant in May 1853. Later that year he took part in the operations on the North West Frontier against the Bori Afridis, in the rank of Sergeant and Deputy Provost Marshal. He became Color-Sergeant again in July 1855, and transferred to the Military Train in March 1857, in which unit he was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant. Kelly was finally discharged at Woolwich on 25 September 1863.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with Annuity of £10 on 1 April 1856. In 1871 he was appointed to the Yeomen of the Guard, with whom he was awarded the 1887 Jubilee Medal in bronze. He died on 3 November 1895, aged 73, having suffered from gout for 30 years. Since the Scinde campaign medal was only awarded to one British regiment, the 22nd, this combination is probably unique to the British Army.

Sold with copied discharge papers and Yeoman of the Guard record of service.