Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., dated ‘1847’ on edge (Color Serjt. George Longland, 45th Regt. 1847) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine, rare £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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George Longland was born in Cambridge c.1803. A Carpenter by occupation, he attested for the 59th Regiment at Lincoln on 5 April 1822, aged 19 years and was paid a bounty of £3. Promoted to a Corporal in August 1826, he volunteered for the 45th Regiment in December 1828. With the regiment he was promoted to Corporal in April 1829; Serjeant in February 1831 and Color Serjeant in November 1832. Served nearly 16 years in the East Indies and nearly 5 years in the Cape of Good Hope Province. Awarded the Army of India Medal for Bhurtpoor as a Private in the 59th Regiment. Awarded the M.S.M. with an annuity of £15 in 1847. Discharged on 11 December 1848, being considered unfit for further service, suffering from pulmonary disease and rheumatism. He died on 3 August 1881.

The Army M.S.M., V.R. issue, dated ‘1847’ on the edge, was the earliest version of the M.S.M. issued. Approximately 110 medals of this type were issued, of which approximately 50 are known to be extant. The medal to Longland was the only ‘1847’ M.S.M issue to be awarded to the regiment.

With copied discharge papers and other research.