The John Nicholson Collection of medals to men who fought in the Kaffir Wars of 1834-53

South Africa 1834-53 (J. Anderson. 72nd Regt.) fitted with contemporary silver ribbon buckle, very fine £360-£460

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Nicholson Collection of medals to men who fought in the Kaffir Wars of 1834-53.

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Collection

139 medals to this regiment, all of whom served in the 1st Kaffir War 1834-35. Fewer than 400 medals were issued to men of the 27th, 72nd, and 75th Regiments, who fought during the 1st Kaffir War.

Two men of this name are shown on the roll for the South Africa 1834-53 medal, both of whom served during the First Kaffir War of 1834-35.

No. 95 Private James Anderson took his discharge from the Regiment and the Army at the Cape of Good Hope on 31 March 1840, being granted a Free Discharge and a Gratuity of One Years’ Pay. There were twenty-four long serving men of the regiment granted a Free Discharge with Gratuity in the first quarter of 1840 at the Cape, with a further sixty-six men granted a discharge, some Free and others on payment of a fee of £5 or £10. It is supposed that these men were encouraged to become Military Settlers on the frontier and take up residence there with the 1820 Settlers.

No. 632 Private James Anderson was born at Dundee, Forfar, and attested for the 72nd Foot at Perth on 11 July 1828, aged 20. He served 20 years 350 days, including 7 years at the Cape of Good Hope. In August 1842, he was tried by Regimental Court Martial and sentenced to 10 days Solitary Confinement - sentence remitted - for being drunk when called out in aid of the Civil Power. He was discharged at Sheerness on 30 June 1849, worn out, and at that time was permitted to wear two distinguishing badges for Good Conduct and length of service. Sold with copied discharge papers for this man.