The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell

Three: Major James Richer, late Sergeant-Major, 3rd Rifle Brigade, who became the first recorded passenger to die from injuries received in a motor car accident in Great Britain

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Serjt. Jas. Richer, 3rd Bn. Rifle Bde.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (35 Color Sergt. I.S. Richer, 3 Bn. Rif. Bde.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (35 Sergt. Major J. Richer, 3-Bn-Rifle Brigade) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (3) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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James Stanley Richer was born on 4 July 1836, and enlisted into the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade in 1854, transferring to the 3rd Battalion as Corporal on its formation 4 April 1855. He served at the siege of Lucknow in 1857, in the Oude campaign in 1858, and at Shabkadr in 1864. Having become Regimental Sergeant-Major in 1867, he was commissioned as Quartermaster in 1875 and as Lieutenant in 1880. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in March 1873 and retired in 1883 with the honorary rank of Major.

On leaving the Army Major Richer worked first for the London Tramways Company and then for the Army & Navy Auxiliary Stores. On 25 February 1899, he was a casualty of the first recorded motor accident in Great Britain in a petrol drive car which occurred at the foot of Grove Hill, Harrow-on-the-Hill, when the Daimler Wagonette driven by Edwin Sewell overturned after the collapse of a rear wheel. Sewell was pitched out and killed whilst his passenger, Major Richer, was pinned to the ground under the car and died of his injuries on 1 March. Sold with full details including copies of contemporary and later news cuttings with pictures of the accident.