Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Singles

Lot 3763    Session 15 (7.30pm Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Singles

Estimate $12,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $15,800

NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDAL 1869, (1865 to 1866 reverse). 2865 Sergt. Wm French. 1st Bn. 12th Regt. Impressed. Contact marks, hairlines and small edge bump, otherwise good fine.

Ex Chris Thomas Collection.

William French, grocer, age 20, born at Harlow, Essex, England; attested at Rochester 08Jan1850 to 12 Regt; served abroad for 12 years 10 months including in Australia and at the historic Battle of the Eureka Stockade on 3 Dec1854 being severely wounded, his service records state, 'Severely wounded at the attack on the Rebel Camp at the Eureka Ballarat Australia on the 3rd Dec 1854', GSW hip; Disch.08Aug1871.

The 12th Regiment of Foot (The Suffolk Regiment) served in Australia and was involved in the Eureka Stockade Rebellion in 1854, the Lambing Flat Goldfield Riots in 1861 and 1862 and the Third Maori War in New Zealand serving there from 1863 to 1867 when the unit returned to England. Pte William French was at the Eureka Stockade Rebellion and with the detachment that marched with Capt Saunders from Lambing Flat to Campbelltown in April 1862. He also served in the Third Maori War in New Zealand.

With service records as well as research and photos of the Eureka Stockade attack in 1854.