Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Second Afghan War and M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant-Major James Gilchrist, 7th Royal Fusiliers, later Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and a Yeoman of the Guard

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar (728. Cr. Sgt. J. Gilchrist. 2/7th Foot.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (728. Cr. Sgt. J. Gilchrist. Rl. Fus:); Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt. Mjr. J. Gilchrist. Rl. Fus.); Jubilee 1897, bronze (...christ Yeoman of the Guard) naming partly obscured by heavy edge bruising; Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911 (J. Gilchrist Kgs. Ryl. Bdy. Gd. 22. 6. 1911), mounted court style, the first and fourth with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine, otherwise good very fine (6) £800-£900

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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James Gilchrist was born at St John’s, New Brunswick, and enlisted at Belfast into the 1st Foot on 1 January 1862, aged 14 years 11 months. He was appointed Drummer on 20 June 1863, and Private on 12 August 1865. He volunteered for the 37th Foot, bound for service in India, on 7 March 1872, and was promoted Corporal on 16 December 1873. Whilst at Poona he volunteered for the 2/7th Foot, was promoted Sergeant on 7 April 1877, and Colour-Sergeant on 21 December 1879. He served in Southern Afghanistan from January 1880 to May 1881, ‘During the Siege and operation around Kandahar on several occasions for Conspicuous gallantry and bravery before the enemy; and at the Sortie from Kandahar on 16th August 1880 was highly commended by the late Colonel A. G. Daubeney, Commanding 2nd Royal Fusiliers, and at the Battle of Kandahar 1st September 1880’ (Queen’s Body Guard records refer). Gilchrist transferred to the Unattached List and was appointed Sergeant-Major, Wellington Depot on 18 May 1886, and transferred to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 18 July 1889. He was discharged on 29 February 1892, and appointed a Yeoman of the Guard on 14 November 1895. He was awarded the M.S.M. with annuity of £10 on 1 April 1904, and died on 22 October 1920.