Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1834-53 (Corpl. J. Rowell. 45th Regt.) considerable edge bruising and contact marks, good fine £300-£400

John Rowell was born in the Parish of Tewin, Hertfordshire, and attested for the 45th Regiment at Hertford on 18 September 1843, aged 20 years 10 months, a gardener by trade. He served abroad at Gibraltar for 1 year 9 months; at Monte Video for 10 months; and at the Cape of Good Hope for 12 years 9 months. He was discharged at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, on 22 November 1864 at his own request, having completed 21 years’ service. He had been promoted to Corporal in June 1852 and to Sergeant in June 1855, but was reduced to Private in July 1857, having been tried by Detachment Court Martial and sentenced to be reduced to Private, which sentence was initially remitted; within two weeks however, he was found absent without leave and drunk, and consequently was made Private once again. His subsequent service appears to have been without incident and he regained his promotion to Corporal in October 1861. At the time of his discharge he was ‘in possession of four good conduct badges & has the medal for the Kafir Campaigns of 1846-7, and 1850-53.’

Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.