Description
Canada General Service Medal, bar Fenian Raid 1866, 222 Private John Lewis, 4th Bn 60th King’s Royal Rifles.
Officially engraved: “222 Pte J. Lewis. 4/60 K.R.R.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, which notes he was at the time of earning it spent “1866 at Fort Erie”.
Good toned condition, a typical “Engraved in England” example to one of the few British Regiments to take part in the conflict.
The roll records it was issued to him in late 1899 whilst back home at Pilwell in Marnhull, “List of Applicants recommended for the General Service Medal. To be engraved in England”
Ex DNW 20th March 2008 “A Collection of Medals to the 60th Rifles and KRRC”
John Lewis, was born in Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset circa 1838.
The son of local Shoemaker James Lewis (1771-1859) and Jane nee Chant.
Aged 19, he signed on for service with the 60th Rifles aka the King’s Royal Rifle Corps” on 28th October 1857.
He would go on to see a full career lasting 20 years and 354 days, of which 8 years and 9 days were spent on service overseas.
All 8 years and 9 days were spent in “British North America”.
He was a flawless soldier his conduct on discharge reading: “Conduct has been Very Good, he is in possession of 4 Good Conduct badges and will become entitled to a 5th on the 28th October 1878: has the medal for Long Service and Good Conduct and a £5 gratuity.”
“Never entered in the Regimental Defaulters Book and Never tried by Court Martial.”
Once he retired he came back home to settle in Marnhull, marrying there to Mary Hunt on 7th February 1881, recorded as an “Army Pensioner”.
By the time this medal came into existence, John was already decades out of the Army, it has been over 30 years since he had been in Canada during the Fenian Raid of 1866.
