Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Singles

Lot 3949    SESSION 18 (11.30AM FRIDAY 12TH APRIL)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Singles

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,300

VOLUNTEER OFFICER'S DECORATION, (VRI), with brooch bar suspension, reverse of medal marked for London 1895, maker R & S Garrard & Co (James Garrard). Major Albert Reid. Engraved. Toned, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 115 (lot 4955).
VD: Hobart Gazette No.6364 15/12/1896, p2273, to Major Albert Reid, Commanding Tasmanian Rifle Regiment.
In a report on Tuesday 20 April 1897, page 3 of the Daily Telegraph, Launceston, Tasmania on The Easter Camp of Infantry at Strathroy, there was mention of a medal presentation to Major Reid as follows.
'The medal presented to Major Reid consists of an oak leaf border in silver surrounding the Queen's monogram, "VR", interlaced, and surmounted by the crown in gold. It is pretty, and on the breast immediately attracts attention. Major Reid first entered the service in 1860, in the Buckingham Rifles, which he joined as a private, Captain T.Y.Lowes being in command. He remained in the corps till it broke up, in 1863. He then joined the First Rifles, Hobart, under Captain Solly, also as a private, and remained in it till it was amalgamated with the Artillery, in 1866. In 1878 he once more entered the service, receiving his commission as lieutenant in the Tasmanian Rifle Regiment in April of that year, and has had uninterrupted service in it till the time, rising step by step till at the present time he is senior major of the regiment. It is interesting to note that this volunteer decoration is at present only held by two other officers in the colony, vis., Major Evans, commanding the Southern Tasmanian Artillery, and Lieut-Colonel O'Boyle, now retired, but who formerly commanded the Tasmanian Rifle Regiment. The conferring of the medal authorises the wearer to affix the letters "V.D." after his name.'
With copy of Gazette entry.