Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (8211 Sjt: Dmr: T. F. Gaten. Bedford: Regt.); Volunteer Force Long Service, V.R. (3151 Burg. W. Tough. 4th. V.B. Manchester Regt.) pawn broker’s mark to obverse field on latter, good very fine (2) £70-90

Thomas Frederick Gaten was born in 1873 at Plymouth, Devon, the son of Bandsman John Gaten, 17th Foot, and attested into his father’s old Regiment on 7 September 1886. Appointed a Drummer on 1 March 1888 whilst serving on active service in Burma (entitled to an India General Service Medal with clasp for Burma 1887-89), he was promoted Corporal on 21 September 1892, and then Sergeant two months later on 29 November 1892, on which date he was also appointed Sergeant-Drummer. He transferred to the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment as Sergeant-Drummer on 5 September 1895, before being posted to the 2nd Battalion in India on 12 October of that year. Following transfer to the Home Establishment from India on 19 March 1901, he moved again to the 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 77 of April 1908, he was discharged at Hertford on 11 November 1907, after 21 years’ service. During the Great War he re-enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as a Sergeant on 18 April 1918, but was discharged as unfit for further service on 18 December 1918 (awarded Silver War Badge).