THE AFGHAN WAR MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE FREDERICK KENNEDY, WHO SAW SERVICE USING THE ASSUM

THE AFGHAN WAR MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE FREDERICK KENNEDY, WHO SAW SERVICE USING THE ASSUMED NAME FREDERICK SMALL, WITH THE 81ST (LOYAL LINCOLN VOLUNTEERS) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT). Afghan War Medal, 1 clasp, Ali Musjid (officially engraved: 1953 Pte. F. SMALL. 81st FOOT.) Small test mark to face of bottom edge of clasp, otherwise Good Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by 3 pages of photocopied discharge papers and medal roll extract (medal and clasp confirmed on roll).

Discharge papers note that Frederick Small’s real name was Frederick Kennedy, referring to him as “Frederick Kennedy alias Small”. Discharge papers also confirm that he was discharged using his assumed name.

Kennedy enlisted into the 81st Regiment at Gosport on 9/12/1872. At time of enlistment he was 18 years of age and gave his trade as that of servant. Kennedy saw service exclusively with the 81st Regiment and was discharged on 20/12/1879 after 7 years and 8 days with the colours. At the time of discharge his conduct was described as being “latterly good”. At discharge Kennedy gave his intended place of residence as Newport.

Medal roll bears a note to the effect that Kennedy had been “transferred to Army Reserve”, but this has been crossed out and “2nd Bn. Cornwall Lt. Infy.” inserted in its place. This may have been the original intention for Small, but it is clear from his discharge papers that he left the army in 1879 without going on to see service with the Cornwall Light Infantry.