Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (John Austen, 2nd. Bn. Rifle Bde.) good very fine £280-320

John Austen was born in East Grinstead, Sussex, in 1832, and attested for Rifle Brigade at Westminster on 5 October 1849. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1854, before being reduced to Private on 21 March 1855. He served with the Brigade North America, in the Crimea (entitled to the Crimea Medal and Turkish Crimea Medal), and in India during the Mutiny, and was promoted Corporal once more on 23 May 1862, and Sergeant on 22 August 1866. He was discharged medically unfit on 3 August 1869, after 19 years and 121 days’ service.