Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Foster, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, severely wounded whilst serving with the Mounted Infantry at Kassassin

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, The Nile 1884-85 (Major, 2/D. of C.L.I.) both clasps contemporary tailor’s copies; Khedive’s Star 1882, this with replacement suspension ring, contact marks, otherwise about very fine (2) £400-500

James FitzEustace Foster was born on 27 September 1834, at Swords House, Swords, County Dublin. He joined the Army in December 1862 as an Ensign in the Ceylon Regiment and served subsequently in the 1st and then the 4th West India Regiment, becoming Captain in September 1868 and placed on half-pay in December 1869. He was restored to Captain on full-pay in June 1872 and joined the 46th Foot at Bermuda, becoming Major in July 1881. He served in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882-84 with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and was present at the reconnaissance at Ramleh; the actions of El-Magfar, Tel-el-Mahuta, and the first action at Kassassin, where he was severely wounded (Medal and Khedive’s Star). He served in the Soudan in 1884, employed on Transport Duties, and was mentioned in despatches London Gazette 6 May 1884 (Clasp to Egypt Medal, Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel). Foster rejoined his regiment for service with the River Column in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 (Clasp to Egypt Medal). Promoted to Colonel in May 1888, he was placed on half-pay in November 1888, and retired in September 1889. He was a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for County Dublin, and died in Dublin on 1 April 1915. Sold with further research including a copied newspaper portrait of the recipient wearing these two medals.