THE TYPE 2 ARMY LSGC MEDAL (ISSUE OF 1855-74) WITH ENGRAVED NAMING AND OFFICIALLY DATED TO THE LAST YEAR OF ISSUE FOR DATED TYPE 2 LSGC MEDALS, AWARDED TO COLOUR SERGEANT M. CLARKE, 76TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S

THE TYPE 2 ARMY LSGC MEDAL (ISSUE OF 1855-74) WITH ENGRAVED NAMING AND OFFICIALLY DATED TO THE LAST YEAR OF ISSUE FOR DATED TYPE 2 LSGC MEDALS, AWARDED TO COLOUR SERGEANT M. CLARKE, 76TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S WEST RIDING REGIMENT), WHO AFTER DISCHARGE FROM THE 76TH FOOT SAW SERVICE FOR SIXTEEN YEARS WITH THE 2ND ROYAL SURREY MILITIA. Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria, type 2, swivelling scroll suspension, small lettering on reverse (issue of 1855-74), (engraved in sloping serifed capitals: COLR. SERJT. CLARKE 76TH. REGT. 1859.). Almost Extremely Fine.

This dated type 2 LSGC Medal with engraved naming dates from the brief transitional period when a small number of type 2 LSGC Medals, like the later issue type 1 LSGC Medals issued before them during the period 1847-58, were regimentally or depot engraved with the recipient’s details. It also dates from the final year, 1859, during which the type 2 LSGC Medals were dated with the year of award (Fred B. Larimore, in his “The Army LSGC Medal”, OMRS Publications 2014, page 185, gives the cut-off date for dated type 2 LSGC Medals as 1859).

Medal accompanied by copied extract from 76th Foot LSGC Medal Roll, confirming award in 1859 to 1831 Colour Sergeant Matthew Clarke, Colour Sergeant Clarke being the first man from the 76th Foot to be recommended for an award in 1859, the recommendation being made by the commander of his regiment on 18/4/1859, and the award being accompanied by a £10 gratuity (the largest gratuity awarded during 1859 to an LSGC recipient from the 76th Foot, the other six recipients of an LSGC Medal from the 76th Foot during 1859 only receiving £5 each)

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Medal also accompanied by 4 pages copied service papers and census return extracts for 1871, 1881 and 1891.

Matthew Clarke was born in the parish of Southam, Warwickshire. He enlisted into the 76th Foot at Romsey, Hampshire, on 15/9/1840. At the time of enlistment Clarke gave his trade as bricklayer. Service papers record Clarke as having been promoted Corporal, 11/8/1843, Sergeant, 1/4/1846, and Quartermaster-Sergeant, 11/1/1860 (no record in service papers re date of promotion to Colour Sergeant, but this would presumably have been in or prior to 1859, given that he is recorded as having been a Colour Sergeant on both his LSGC Medal and the LSGC Medal roll, and that the medal was awarded in 1859, named to him as a Colour Sergeant). Clarke was discharged, with the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant, at Aldershot, on 11/12/1862. In addition to service at home, he saw service in the Mediterranean for 5 years and 4 months, and in North America for 4 years and 4 months. He was discharged “to out-pension at his own request, having completed 21 years service” (actual service amounted to 22 years and 99 days). Clarke’s conduct whilst serving was described as having been “excellent” and he was recorded as having “never been tried by Court Martial nor recorded in the Defaulter Book”. At the time of discharge Clarke was 43 years of age and gave his intended place of residence as Guildford, Surrey. After discharge, he saw service for 16 years with the Militia Staff, 2nd Royal Surrey Militia, his service papers noting an increase in pension in 1879 in respect of this additional service. The LSGC Medal was Clarke’s sole medal entitlement.

Matthew Clarke is recorded in the 1871 census as being a 48 year old Quartermaster serving with the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia and living with his wife (born Fermoy, Ireland) and four sons at the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia Depot in the parish of Friary, Guildford. In the 1881 census Clarke is recorded as a 58 year old discharged soldier living with his wife and youngest son on Queen’s Road, Guildford, Surrey. At the time of the 1891 census he was still living on Queen’s Road with his wife and youngest son.

There is a discrepancy in the ages recorded for Clarke in the documents referred to above. When he was discharged from the regular army in 1862 he stated that he was 43 and would therefore been born circa 1819 and been about 21 years of age when he enlisted in 1840. However, in the 1871 census he is recorded as being 48 years old, which would imply that he was born circa 1823 and would have been 17 years of age when he enlisted. Probably claimed to be older than he was at time of enlistment, so as not to be classed as a “Boy Soldier” at a lower rate of pay.