Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major J. J. Forsyth Grant, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, late 15th Regiment of Foot

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Major, J. J. F. Grant. 2/D of C.L.I.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, housed in a contemporary Furber & Son, Cheltenham, fitted leather case, minor edge bruising to first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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John Joseph Forsyth Grant was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 23 October 1840, and was commissioned Ensign in the 15th Regiment of Foot on 25 April 1858. He was promoted Lieutenant by purchase on 17 July 1860, and Captain by purchase on 25 December 1867, and having been placed on the Half Pay list on 15 August 1868, exchanged into the 46th Regiment of Foot on 6 July 1870. Promoted Major in the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 1 July 1881, he served in Egypt from 20 July 1882 and was present at the reconnaissance at Ramleh; the actions of El-Magfar, Tel-el-Mahuta; and the first action at Kassassin on 28 August 1882. Returning home, he died in Cheltenham on 3 April 1884.

Forsyth Grant married Miss Anne Littleton in 1876; six years later he was granted a divorce from her on the grounds of her infidelity with her parents’ coachmen - at the time divorce cases could only be heard at the High Court in London, with the case attracting much attention in the gossip pages of the newspapers.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient in civilian riding attire.