THE PUNJAB MEDAL AND ARMY LSGC MEDAL PAIR TO PRIVATE G. TOVEY, 24TH (2ND WARWICKSHIRE) REG
£1,475.00
THE PUNJAB MEDAL AND ARMY LSGC MEDAL PAIR TO PRIVATE G. TOVEY, 24TH (2ND WARWICKSHIRE) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST AND 2ND BATTALIONS SOUTH WALES BORDERERS), WOUNDED IN ACTION AT CHILIANWALA. Two: Punjab Medal, 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (officially named, impressed in serifed capitals: G. TOVEY, 24th. FOOT.) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria, type 2 (1855-74), with swiveling scroll suspension (officially impressed: 3008. GEO. TOVEY, 24th. FOOT.). Old repair to side of one lug on Goojerat clasp, scattered contact marks and rim nicks and bruises to Punjab Medal (from contact with LSGC Medal), otherwise both medals with an attractive, matching, old dark tone and generally Good Very Fine, the LSGC Medal perhaps a little better.
Group accompanied by biographical details, 4 pages of copied discharge papers, extracts from the published casualty roll for the Punjab campaign, confirming 3008 Private G. Tovey as having been “wounded at Chilianwala”, copied extracts from census returns for 1871, 1881 and 1891, and copied extract from Deaths index.
George Tovey was born in the parish of Norton St. Philip, Frome, Somersetshire, in 1824. He enlisted into the 21st Foot at Bath on 16/9/1842. At the time of enlistment Tovey was 18 years and 2 months old and gave his trade as that of labourer. Tovey “volunteered” to transfer to the 24th Foot on 1/11/1847. He never rose above the rank of Private and was eventually discharged at Aldershot on 7/10/1863, after having seen over 21 years service with the colours. In addition to service at home, Tovey saw service in the East Indies for 17 years and 5 months. Service papers confirm award of LSGC Medal (without gratuity) on 31/10/1861. At time of discharge, Tovey’s conduct whilst with the colours was described as having been “very good”. At time of discharge he was 39 years and 2 months old, and gave his intended place of residence as 10 Cambridge Street, Lark Hall, Bath.
The regimental history records that the 24th Foot went into action at Chillianwalla 1,096 strong, 31 officers and 1,065 other ranks. During the battle, in excess of 50% of the officers and men of the regiment became casualties, 13 officers and 225 men being killed and 9 officers and 278 men being wounded. The regiment’s Queen’s Colour was also lost.
The 1871 census records Tovey as a 49 year old mason’s labourer, resident in Norton St. Phillip, Somersetshire, with his 49 year old wife, Charlotte, and was still employed as a mason’s labourer in Norton St. Phillip and living with his wife at the time of the 1881 census. George Tovey died in 1891, aged 69. His wife, Charlotte, survived him, and is recorded in the 1891 census as a 69 year old widow with “no occupation” living in Norton St. Phillip.