Four: Sergeant John Brennan, ‘Bandmaster’ 24th Foot, and Trumpet-Major, East and North York Artillery

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Corpl., 24th Foot); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (3701 Sergt., 1st Bn. H.Ms. 24th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (192 Trumpt. Mjr., E. & No. York Arty.); Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Sergt., 1/24th Foot) the Punjab and L.S. & G.C. medals with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Choice Collection of Medals and other items to the 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers).

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Ex Elson Collection 1963.

John Brennan, by trade a musician, was born in Manchester and attested for the 1st 24th Foot at Dublin on 12 April 1836, aged just 14 years. He served in Canada during the Rebellion of 1837/38; with the Army of the Punjab in 1848-49, and was present at the actions at Chilianwala, 13 January, and Goojerat, 21 February 1849. Brennan purchased his discharge from the 24th Foot in October 1849, and served for a while in the Band of the 1st Life Guards before re-enlisting once more into his old regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Indian Mutiny but, apart from some small detachments, most of the regiment saw little action, being stationed outside the main area of the Mutiny. Sergeant Brennan was discharged at his own request, having completed 21 years good service, at Gosport on 12 April 1862. His discharge papers note that his conduct had been exemplary and that he ‘has been recommended for the Annuity and silver medal for long and meritorious service.’ Brennan thereafter served as Trumpet-Major of the East and North York Artillery, a Militia unit stationed at Scarborough, and subsequently received his L.S. & G.C. medal whilst serving with this unit. In March 1883 he received the Meritorious Service Medal for which he had been recommended more than 20 years earlier, together with a £10 annuity. Brennan died at Scarborough on 20 January 1899, his death being announced in the Scarborough Post the following day where he was described as ‘ex-Bandmaster 24th Regiment, aged 72,’ with the additional instruction ‘Canadian papers please copy’.