India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Sikkim 1888 (2119 Pte. T. Kearns 2nd. Bn. Derby. R.) extremely fine £240-280

Thomas Kearns was born in Williamstown, Sunmore, Co. Galway in 1859, and attested for General Service at Derby on 5 September 1879, having previously served with the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia. Drafted into the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot, he served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt from 14 August to 13 October 1882 (entitled to an Egypt Medal and Khedive’s Star). Embarking from Egypt for India, he was appointed Lance-Corporal on 4 June 1887, and served with the Regiment in the Sikkim campaign, 15 March to 27 September 1888, as part of the initial force of 200 men of the Regiment chosen on the basis of their shooting prowess: ‘The 2nd Derbyshire Regiment had been chosen because it was one of the best musketry regiments in India, and the Commander-in-Chief, General Roberts, V.C., had stated that he would never, if he could help it, take on service a regiment which could not shoot. “G” Company was the best shooting company in the Regiment, so that was selected, together with “H” Company. All the weak and sickly men were weeded out and replaced by willing volunteers from other companies.’ (Sikkim 1888 by Brigadier B. A. H. Parritt refers). Interestingly, Kearns’ Service Record shows that he was awarded the Musketry Drill Certificate on 29 April 1889.

Kearns returned to England on 20 November 1889, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 24 November of that year. He was discharged on 4 September 1891, after 12 years’ service.

Sold with copied discharge papers, medal roll extract, and other research.