South Africa 1834-53 (Asst. Sgn. R. M. Allen, Cape Md. Rifles) small edge nick and light contact marks, otherwise good very fine £500-£600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Nicholson Collection of medals to men who fought in the Kaffir Wars of 1834-53.

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Robert Marshall Allen was born at Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, on 21 March 1818, and was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Cape Mounted Riflemen on 30 June 1843; Staff, 12 January 1849; 6th Foot, 16 March 1849; 3rd Dragoon Guards, 25 April 1851; Staff Surgeon 2nd Class, 28 March 1854; 3rd Dragoon Guards, 12 May 1854; Surgeon Major, 3rd Dragoon Guards, 30 June 1863; Staff, 13 March 1866; 7th Dragoon Guards, 7 August 1867; retired on half-pay with Hon. rank of Deputy Inspector General, 31 July 1869, and died at Lincoln on 17 March 1893.

‘Mr Robert Marshall Allen served with the Cape Mounted Riflemen from the year 1843 to 1848 and was with the Regiment in the field during the Kaffir War of 1846-47 when he had the medical charge of the Head Quarters Corps during the actions and protracted patrols over the Kei River under Colonel Somerset in pursuit of the Rebel Chief Pato. Mr Allen was also present during many severe skirmishes with the enemy.’