Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Colour-Sergeant William Cole, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (W. Cole, Pte. R.M. H.M.S. Encounter. 73-74); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (W. Cole, Sergt. R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Willm. Cole, Sergeant R.M.L.I.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, edge bruising and contact marks from star, nearly very fine (4)
£550-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74.

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William Cole was born in the parish of Plympton St Mary’s, near Plymouth, on 12 January 1849, and enlisted for the Royal Marines at Plymouth on 12 August 1867. After 4 years 286 days service in the Plymouth Division he purchased his discharge on 24 May 1872, and re-enlisted for the Royal Marines at Chatham on 16 August 1872, then aged 23 years 3 months. He served aboard H.M.S. Encounter from 28 August 1873 to 14 December 1877, including operations during the Ashantee war of 1873-74, and with the Royal Marine Battalion in Egypt from 10 February 1884 to 16 May 1885, including engagements at Suakin and Tofrek. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1884. Cole was discharged at Chatham on 6 November 1888, having completed 21 years service. Sold with three parchment certificates of service which confirm all medals and clasps, and a small photograph of Colour-Sergeant Cole in later life.