PRIVATE J. LOWE, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS). Punjab Medal 1848-1849, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala

PRIVATE J. LOWE, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS). Punjab Medal 1848-1849, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (officially named, impressed serifed block capitals: J. LOVE. 2ND. EUR. REGt.). Note incorrect spelling of surname. Scattered light rim nicks and surface contacts, otherwise Good Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by biographical and service details from FIBIS, along with copied medal roll extract confirming medal and clasps, and that Lowe’s medal was “sent to India 20th Decr 51”.

James Lowe was born in Ballycumber, King’s County (now Offaly), Ireland. He enlisted into the 2nd Bengal European Regiment on 27/1/1841 for unlimited service. At the time of enlistment Lowe gave his trade as labourer. He sailed for India aboard the “Quintin Leitch” in 1841, arriving in India that year. FIBIS service record notes Lowe as transferring to the 1st Bengal European Regiment on 1/1/1844. However, medal roll confirms that he transferred back to and was serving with the 2nd Bengal European Regiment at the time of the Punjab Campaign of 1848-49. Lowe was eventually pensioned in January 1856 “in Europe”.

There is no man on the Punjab Medal Roll for the 2nd Bengal European Regiment with the surname “Love”. However, on the medal roll Lowe’s surname is inscribed in a manner that could easily be misinterpreted as reading “Love”, and it was, as a result, mis-transcribed at the mint when his medal was being named up. Medal roll notes that Lowe’s medal was “sent to India 20th Decr. 51”.