About the product

LSGC Coldstream Guards Yeoman

Army Long Service and Good Conduct, VR, 3795 Qr Mr Sergt Robt Austin Coldm Gds, a Yeoman of the King’s Bodyguard with photo in uniform.

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Origin: United Kingdom
Good Very Fine

Description

Army Long Service and Good Conduct, VR, 3795 Qr Mr Sergt Robt Austin Coldm Gds, a Yeoman of the King’s Bodyguard with photo in uniform wearing his medals.

 

With a comprehensive file of research and excellent photo of him in his Yeoman’s uniform wearing his medals.

 

Also entitled to the 1887 Jubilee Medal, Crimea medal, with bars Sebastopol, Balaklava, Alma and Inkermann, the Turkish Crimea Medal, all of which appear to have been issued unnamed.

 

Robert Austin was born during 1833 in Hinton, Farrington, Berkshire, he was a servant by trade before enlisting with the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards on 28th November 1850.

 

Promotions: Private from 29th November 1950 – 28th January 1853, Corporal 29th January 1853 – 9th May 1854, Sergeant 1st April 1857 – 4th November 1862, Quartermaster Sergeant 5th November 1862 – 2nd January 1872.

 

He served in the Crimean war alongside his Brother Henry Austin who also served in the Coldstream Guards.

 

He spent 2 years 4 months in Crimea, where he took part in the Siege of Sebastopol as well as the battle of Balaklava, Inkermann.

 

Following his discharge he had the honour of being appointed to the Yeoman of the King’s Bodyguard on 9th January 1881, a role he held for 20 years until her retired on 2nd April, he died soon after of heart disease on 2nd March 1902, in Westbury, Wiltshire, but not before he made himself present to greet the young men of the Wiltshire Volunteers returning back from the Boer War.

 

On the occasion of his death the whole town was in mourning, all blinds were drawn and the funeral route was a mile long, he was buried with a full military funeral.

 

His Obituary, Warminster and Westbury Journal 15th March 1902:

 

“FUNERAL OF THE LATE SERGT AUSTIN – The remains of the late Mr Robert Austin, of Royston House, Alfred-street, were interred in the Cemetery on Friday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended.
The deceased, who was quarter-master-sergeant of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, served in the Crimea and other parts, and in (as mentioned last week) his declining years was a Yeoman of the Guard. Last year he took part in welcoming the local members of the Wilts Volunteer Service Company on their return from the front.

 

The funeral was a military one, a large number of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers, with their band, attending. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. At two o’clock the cortege proceeded to the church (the band playing the Dead March), where the first aprt of the Burial Service was read. In the Cemetery the service was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev S. Dugdale), and three volleys were fired over the grave.
The coffin, which was carried by six volunteers, bore the following inscription:- “Robert Austin, Yeoman of the King’s Bodyguard, and late Q.M.S. of the 1st Bn Coldstream Guards, Died March 2nd 1902, Aged 71 years.”

 

The route, which was a mile in length, was lined with people, and all blinds were drawn and shutters up as a last token of respect to one of the town’s best-known and most venerable inhabitants. …..”

 

Provenance: Ex DNW Auctions 8th May 2019, the Collection of Medals to Yeomen of the Guard, £320 including fees.