Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second Afghan War group of seven to Sergeant-Major John Roughan, 9th Lancers, who was afterwards a long serving Yeoman who became Sergeant-Major of the King’s Body Guard

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Kabul, Kandahar (704 T. Sergt. Maj. J. Roughan, 9th Lancers); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (704 Troop Sergt. Major J. Roughan, 9th Lancers); Jubilee 1897, bronze (J. Roughan, Yeoman of H.M.R.B. Guard); Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (704 Tp. Sgt. Maj. J. Roughan, 9th Lancers); Imperial Service Medal, E.VII.R. (John Roughan) nearly very fine or better (7) £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: Gordon Everson Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2002.

John Roughan was born at Ennis, County Clare, and enlisted for the 9th Lancers at Ennis on 14 March 1863. He was promoted to Corporal in November 1863, to Sergeant in February 1871, and to Troop Sergeant Major in November 1874. Having completed 21 years service, he re-enlisted on 16 November 1874, and sailed for India the following January. He returned home in 1877 and married Elizabeth May Duffy on 6 October 1877. Returning to India in December 1878, he took part in the Afghan campaigns of 1878-80, earning the medal with two clasps and the Kabul to Kandahar Star. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal on 14 December 1881, returned to England in May 1882, and was discharged in March 1884.

Roughan obtained a position in the Royal Parks Department, serving for a further 24 years and rising to Inspector. Upon his retirement as ‘Inspector of Park Keepers under His Majesty’s Office of Works’ he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal (London Gazette 22 June 1909). On 17 December 1893 he was sworn in as a Yeoman in Ordinary of Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, eventually becoming Sergeant-Major of the King’s Body Guard. He died at Ashford, Staines, on 12 December 1932, aged 87.

Sold with a good number of original photographs, post cards and news cuttings, and the silk rosettes from his yeoman’s ceremonial shoes; together with numerous copied photographs, copied discharge papers and other research.