Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The group of four awarded to Sergeant William Shalley, 7th Royal Fusiliers, later a Yeoman of the Guard

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (3551 Drummer W Shalley 1st Bn. 7th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (3551 Serjt. W. Shalley, 1-7th Foot); Jubilee 1897, bornze (W. Shalley. Yoeman of H.M. R.B. Guard); Coronation 1902, bronze, the first with bent clasp face and slack suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine and better (4) £550-£650

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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William Shalley was born in the Parish of St Mary Calendar, Winchester, on 5 August 1843, and enlisted into the 7th Foot at Winchester on 18 August 1854, supposedly aged 14, but according to his birth certificate just 11 years of age. He was appointed Drummer in March 1856 and served in the East Indies from November 1857 to December 1863. He took part in the Umbeyla campaign on the North West Frontier in 1863 (Medal with clasp). He was promoted to Corporal in March 1869, and to Drum Major from February 1871 until April 1873, when he was disrated to Corporal. He was promoted to Sergeant in April 1875 and transferred to the 4th Royal South Middlesex Militia on 5 February 1878. He was discharged on 9 September 1879, and would have received his L.S. & G.C. medal around the same time. Shalley was appointed to the Queen’s Body Guard on 12 October 1889, vice Sergeant John Breeze, D.C.M., 11th Hussars, and was serving in the First Division of the Guard in 1904. The following year he is noted as being late Permanent Staff of the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was unsuccessfully recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal and annuity by the Officer Commanding the Depot and the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command in March 1905, and again in June 1906. He was informed ‘that having been appointed a Yeoman of the Guard he cannot be granted a further reward for his services.’ Shalley died in Hounslow, London, on 22 December 1917, aged 74. Sold with copied discharge papers.