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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 98

Three: Private R. Marsh, 10th Battalion, Royal Grenadiers (Canadian Militia)

North West Canada 1885, 1 clasp, Saskatchewan (Pte. R. Marsh. 10th Batt. R.G.), engraved naming, fitted with ornate top-riband bar 'Batoche'; North West Frontier Force 1885-1935 50th Anniversary Medal, with top riband bar and original riband; North West Frontier Force 1885 Medallet, good very fine

Robert Marsh was born in 1866 and was a native of Toronto. He served gallantly as a Private (No. 1494) with No. 3 Company, 10th Battalion, Royal Grenadiers (Canadian Militia) during the North West Canada campaign of 1885. Used as infantry during the operations in the Riel Rebellion, they were to the fore during the Battle of Batoche, 9-12 May 1885, when in the centre of the field. Earning the unit their first Battle Honour, their Regimental History gives more detail:

'The History of the regiment recalls their gallant charge on the 12th May:

'Tuesday 12th May – Left camp at 1pm in skirmishing order. No 1 Company Grenadiers on the right No. 2, 3 and 4 prolonged to the left; we met the rebels about 200 yards from the Church.

After a stubborn resistance we drove them before us towards the village, and then charged them then on the plain, and scattered them in all directions. The fire was very hot; about 6 killed and 30 wounded on our side.

About 30 killed on that of the rebels; released about 8 white men that Riel had kept as Prisoners of War.'

For his services, Marsh was rewarded with a Land Grant for 320 acres in Manitoba or the North West Province and a Scrip Note No. 0674 for $80 in January 1886.

The North West Frontier Force 1885-1935 50th Anniversary Medal was issued to those who survived half a century after the campaign. Its obverse has the details 'Batoche, Battleford and Prince Albert Columns' on a scroll surrounded by the commanders 'Middleton Otter Strange'. Few examples of these rare N.W.F.F. Medals have been seen on the open market or in Museums.

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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,500

Starting price
£1000