Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Army of India medal awarded to Colour-Sergeant, later Regimental Sergeant-Major, James Kerr, 59th Foot, who distinguished himself and was wounded at Bhurtpore; he was previously present at the capture of Java as a Private in the 89th Foot and was a member of the storming party at the successful attack on Fort Cornelis. He emigrated to Australia in 1854, where he obtained employment in the Constabulary at Geelong, where he died in 1867

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Color Serjt. J. Kerr, 59th Foot.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Ron Wright.

View
Collection

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, May 2016.

James Kerr was born on 14 February 1792, in the Parish of Desercreate, Cookstown, County Tyrone. He was a labourer by trade when he enlisted into the 89th Foot at Monymore, County Derry, on 14 February 1807, aged 15 years. He was taken onto the men’s establishment as Private from 14 February 1810, and served with the regiment in the East Indies from 10 February 1810 until 22 August 1818. He was promoted to Corporal in October 1813 and to Sergeant in October 1816, and was discharged from the 89th on 10 October 1818, probably due to army reductions. He re-enlisted on 11 November 1818, at Rochester, for the 1st Battalion, 59th Foot, aged 26 years, in the rank of Private. He was promoted to Corporal in March 1820, to Sergeant in July 1821, and to Regimental Sergeant-Major in June 1829. He served in the East Indies with the 59th from 10 February 1820 until 28 June 1829, and, being found unfit for further service, was discharged on 6 December 1832, after service totalling 31 years and 246 days.

Kerr’s record of gallant service is stated on his discharge papers in the following terms: ‘Served Seventeen Years Three hundred and Twenty Seven Days in the East Indies - Wounded in the Left Hip at Bhurtpore. Was present at the Capture of Waltervreden on the 10th August 1811. Was one of the Storming party at the Afsault and Capture of Fort Corneilus on the 26th August 1811, and Subsequent Surrender of the Island of Java, and also the Capture of Bhurtpore in January 1826. Distinguished himself at the Storming of that place.’

In 1831 he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal as Sergeant-Major in the 59th Foot, and in 1833 he received a reference from his commanding officer stating, ‘In the course of my war service I never found a better man...’

He was appointed superior Barrack Sergeant at Blackburn on 18 September 1839, at a rate of 2s/6d a day with an allowance for one room, coals and candles. Married with a son, also James, and 2 daughters, father and son went to Australia to seek employment. They sailed from Liverpool aboard the James Carson on 4 April 1854, and arrived at Port Phillip Bay on 13 July, apparently fully intending to return to Ireland once their circumstances had improved. He was unaware, however, that his wife had died during the voyage to Australia. He seemed to settle at Geelong and joined the constabulary there in August 1854, continuing off and on until December 1861. He was married a second time in August 1859. James Kerr died on 20 August 1867, aged 75 years 6 months, at Ashby, West Geelong, from chronic dysentery, and was buried in Geelong Eastern Cemetery.

In addition to the medal for Bhurtpoor, Kerr received the Military General Service medal with clasp for Java. He was also awarded the medal for Long Service which was sent to the Chief Constable of Cookstown on 22 June 1833. This latter medal remains in the possession of his descendants in Australia. Sold with extensive research.