A SCARCE & DESIRABLE SOUTH AFRICA “ZULU” MEDAL (1879)

To:
2318. Pte. R.HARTSHORN.
2/4th FOOT REGIMENT.
(2nd Bn The Royal Lancaster Regiment)






[Officially Engraved]
2318. Pte. R.HARTSHORN. 2/4th FOOT.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Richard Hartshorn was an Irishman born in 1838 in St Patrick’s Parish, Dublin, who had no trade prior to enlistment. He originally enlisted in Kings Own Light Infantry Regiment on 13th July 1855, and was officially released to serve in 2/4th Foot on 12th July 1856 with a re-enlistment at Westminster at age 18. He had subsequent service in India and is entitled to an IGS “North West Frontier” for service in 1868 with 19th Regt with whom he served as a drummer. He is then seen back with 2/4th foot as a Private taking part in the 1879 South African campaign. He then returned to India with a landing there on 29th February 1880. He served in Poona, Baroga, and Bombay for about 7 years with a return voyage to England on H.M. Troop Ship “Malabar” on 27th October 1887.




This is a Delightful Medal with a good history. Comes with rare & unusually surviving discharge and “colourful” medical history papers. These detail his suffering from syphilis & several other sexually transmitted conditions. His name was further entered into the regimental defaulters book no less than 28 times! (A record in our experience.) Also a confirming roll which was complied in Bombay on 15th January 1881 which states delivery of this medal to Pte R. Hartshorn who was still serving with the regiment.
GVF

£995