Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘1847’ Army Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Quartermaster Sergeant J. Stewart, 63rd Regiment of Foot, who was the Regiment’s first M.S.M. recipient

Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., dated ‘1847’ on edge (Qr. Mas: Serjt. James Stewart 63rd Regt. 1847) minor edge bruising, a small gouge obliterates the ‘S’ of ‘Service’ to reverse, suspension a little slack, otherwise very fine and rare £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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Collection

Kuriheka Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006.

110 Meritorious Service Medals issued with the year date ‘1847’ on the edge.

James Stewart was born at Kilboran, Coolaney, Co. Sligo, Ireland, about June 1806. He attested for service in 1st Battalion 89th (Princess Victoria’s) Regiment of Foot at Ballanah, Co. Sligo, on 3 June 1826, by trade a school master. He served in the regimental depot at Dover, Canterbury and then Chatham, as acting Hospital Sergeant and later as depot clerk and was promoted Corporal in April 1828. In July 1831, he sailed as part of the prison guard on a convict ship headed for Van Dieman’s Land, and transferred to the 63rd Regiment at Hobart Town, in the rank of Private. The headquarters of the 63rd, together with the now Orderly Room Clerk James Stewart embarked from Hobart for Madras landing there in February 1834. He was promoted Quarter Master Sergeant in February 1841.

Stewart remained in India serving at Madras, Moulmein, Poonamallee, Bellary and Secunderabad. He left India, bound for Gravesend, landing there on 28 August 1847, and was discharged from the regimental depot at Chatham on 27 January 1848 after over 21 years with the Colours. He was recommended for the award of the newly established Meritorious Service Medal, with gratuity, which was awarded in May 1847, the first to be awarded to the 63rd Regiment. He died in February 1848.

Sold with copied service papers and extensive research.