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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 95

(x) India General Service 1895-1908, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (3158 Sergt J. Sheppard 4th. Bn. Rif. Bde), minor contact marks, very fine

James Pyne Sheppard was born around 1856 at Boston, Lincolnshire, the son of James Sheppard of 74 Wrentham Street, Birmingham. A bed-stead maker, he attested at Birmingham for the Rifle Brigade on 22 April 1886, his attestation documents noting previous service with the 4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

A sallow man with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 5 inches in stature, Sheppard served in Egypt from 19 October 1887-1 August 1888, South Africa from 2 August 1888-1 February 1889, India from 2 February 1889-21 October 1898 and on the remote island of St Helena from 9 February 1905-1 May 1905. It was whilst in India that he formed part of the Tochi Field Force of 1897-98.

Promoted Sergeant on 2 April 1892, he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1904 before being discharged at Gosport with 3 months' notice on 2 November 1907 after a final posting at the Detention Barracks. Discharge papers note his intended place of future residence as 175 Clarendon Road, Notting Hill. His conduct and character with the Colours were also duly recorded:

'Exemplary. No offence nor instance of drunkenness whole service of 21 years, 195 days. Thoroughly trustworthy & reliable.'

This Medal represents a rare award to the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, as it was the 3rd Battalion who served on the Punjab Frontier, Sheppard having transferred battalions at around this time; sold with copied service record and research.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£270

Starting price
£130