Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 201

(x) The M.S.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 J. Egan, Royal Artillery

Queen's South Arica 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (8870 B.Q.M.Sgt. J. Egan, 87th Bty., R.F.A.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (8870 B.QR:-MR:-Serjt: J. Egan. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (50444 B.S.Mjr. J.Egan. R.F.A.); British War Medal (50444 A-W.O.CL.1. J.Egan. R.A.); Victory Medal (50444 A.W.O.CL.1. J.Egan. R.A.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (8870 W.O.CL.1. J. Egan. RA.); Long Service & Good Conduct, G.V.R. (50444 B.S.M. J.Egan. R.A.), mounted court style for display, light contact marks, one with edge knock, overall very fine (7)

James Francis Egan was born in County Tipperary, Ireland around 1875 and enlisted at age twenty with the Royal Artillery at Clonmel on 13 March 1895, after working as a waiter. Egan spent the next eighteen years serving with the Colours. He was married at Waterloo, S.London, to Bridget Maker on 23 January 1903, with whom he had an impressive seven children between 1905 and 1914. Egan and his wife at some point moved to Liverpool, as their children were all born in the wider Liverpool area.

His original military records were apparently lost in South Africa, but Egan is recorded as having participated in the South Africa Campaign 1899-1902. He also served in India, arriving in Kamptee on 22 December 1911. Egan was discharged at Gosport on 20 April 1913 at his own request after 18 years of service, with a view to pension. He intended to reside at home on 10 Roman Street, Seaforth, Liverpool and found work as a postman.

Egan attested again for service with the Royal Field Artillery on 2 September 1914 after the onset of World War I and was immediately promoted Battery Sergeant Major. He was posted to France with his Regiment on 12 July 1915, where he was advanced Warrant Officer Class II later that year on 28 January 1915. Egan was then appointed temporary Warrant Officer Class I and Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 8 April 1916 ahead of returning to England on 2 October 1916.

He was discharged on 11 December 1917 due to being physically unfit for service, and was issued with Silver War Badge (284924); sold together with copied research.


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

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320