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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 183

(x) A fine campaign and long service group of seven awarded to Bandmaster J. H. Sage, King's Royal Rifle Corps, late Welch Regiment: having first seen action at Gemaizah in 1888, he returned to active duty in France nearly 30 years later

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Gemaizah 1888 (16 L./Cpl. J. Sage, 1/Welch R.); 1914-15 Star (14045 Sjt. J. H. Sage, K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals (14045 Sjt. J. H. Sage, K.R.R.C.); Delhi Durbar 1903; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (9930 Bandmaster J. H. Sage, K.R.R.C.): Khedive's Star, undated, the reverse impressed 'WEL' and '16', the first with contact marks and edge bruising, good fine, the group polished overall, thus nearly very fine or better (7)

James Henry Sage was born at Aldershot, Hampshire on 26 July 1865, the son of Sergeant-Major Charles Henry Sage. R.A. Enlisting in the Welch Regiment direct from the 3rd York & Lancaster Militia in July 1881, aged 16 years, he joined a draft of the 1st Battalion, bound for South Africa, in August 1882.

Having then been appointed a Musician in the interim, Sage was embarked for England in October 1886, where he joined the 2nd Battalion as a Bandsman. He was subsequently ordered to Egypt, where he joined the 1st Battalion as a Lance-Corporal and was present at Gemaizah in December 1888, in which action The Welch were commended for their 'admirably directed and controlled' volley fire (Medal & clasp).

Sage was advanced to Corporal in October 1890 and to Sergeant in December 1891, in which latter rank he became Drum Major of the 1st Battalion's band shortly before its arrival in Malta in September 1892. Returning home to attend the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall in November 1894, he transferred as Bandmaster to the 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps in January 1897.

Awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 75 of 1904, Sage was discharged in November 1906, after 25 years with the Colours; he was also recommended for the annuity M.S.M., but did not live long enough to receive it.

On 12 June 1915, he enlisted in the 12th (Service) Battalion, K.R.R.C. as a private soldier. He was promoted to Sergeant on the same day, his new C.O. charging him with the formation of a band. As later reported in the K.R.R.C. Chronicle, this objective was quickly achieved, 'thanks to his energy in obtaining recruits and instructing them.'

Embarked for France in July 1915 - and band duties aside - he likely served in the Transport Section. He remained similarly employed until being admitted to hospital at Le Havre in May 1918, suffering from assorted ailments which come with age: a fine record for one who had first seen action in Egypt in 1888.

Demobilised in March 1919, Sage retired to 'Murree' in Holland Avenue, Cheam, Surrey. He died on 26 June 1928; sold with an extensive file of copied research.


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Sold for
£950