INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL
(Young Head)
N.E. FRONTIER 1891
To:
(alias) 4142. Pte. William Ross.
4th Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
(First joined the army as 1591.Pte.Henry Robert Craven. Middlesex Rgt)
*Deserted from Middlesex Regt 14th Nov,1886,
A Scarce Clasp to an interesting man.
Rejoined KRRC on 4th May 1887.
Received Queens Pardon with previous service of 58 days forfeited on confession of desertion. 
An interesting man with service in two units with a confessed desertion from the first. Initially joined the Middlesex Regiment as HENRY ROBERT CRAVEN at Hounslow on 21st November 1885 aged 18 years and 7 months having previously served in 4th Middlesex Regt (Reserve). From Marylebone, London (a light porter).
He served just 58 days and then deserted on 14th November 1886. Seen rejoining the Kings Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester on 4th May 1887 under the alias of WILLIAM ROSS then aged 19 years and 6 months. Discharged 3rd May 1899 after 5 years service.
Clearly the army treated him with great fairness as he clearly lied on his second attestation papers that he had not served in the army before .
(A serious offence which could lead to imprisonment)
He also declared his next of kin as Walter 'Ross'of 4 Love Grove Road, Kilburn, which we believe was a false address.
His family (including brothers Walter and George 'Craven') with father and mother William & Elizabeth Craven, actually lived at 34 Shouldham Street, Edgeware Road, London. (This address still exists !)
MEDAL COMES WITH COLOUR COPIES OF THE TWO COMPLETED ATTESTATION FORMS. AN INTERESTING SITUATION.
VERY SCARCE CLASP.
SOLD