CORPORAL S. PASSEY, 84TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT), LATER 65TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION YORK & LANCASTER REGIMENT), 2ND BATTALION ROYAL LANCASHIRE RESERVE REGIMENT, 5TH (MILITIA) BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT

CORPORAL S. PASSEY, 84TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT), LATER 65TH FOOT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION YORK & LANCASTER REGIMENT), 2ND BATTALION ROYAL LANCASHIRE RESERVE REGIMENT, 5TH (MILITIA) BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT AND ROYAL DEFENCE CORPS, WHO SAW SERVICE WITH THESE VARIOUS REGIMENTS DURING A PERIOD OF OVER 40 YEARS, 1875-1917. Egypt Medal 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El Teb Tamai (an official, late issue replacement medal, officially named, impressed in plain block capitals, in a style similar to that seen on 1914-20 British War Medals: 289 CPL. S. PASSEY Y. & L. R.). Scattered minor bruises and contact marks to rim, otherwise attractively toned, Good Very Fine, and with a length of original ribbon.

Medal accompanied by biographical details, 6 pages of copied service papers for initial service with the York & Lancaster Regiment, 4 pages of copied papers for service with the Royal Lancashire Reserve Regiment, 4 pages of copied service papers for service with the 5th Battalion Manchester Regiment and 4 pages of copied service papers for service with the Royal Defence Corps, copied extracts from 1861 and 1911 census returns and medal roll extracts for the Egypt Medal 1882-89, confirming medal and clasp and that Plassey was issued with a replacement medal (date of issue not given), and the Queen’s South Africa Medal, confirming entitlement to clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free Stare, S.A.01 and S.A.02, for service with the 5th Battalion Manchester Regiment during the Boer War, and the WW1 Silver War Badge roll.

Samuel John Passey, born Woolwich, Kent, in 1858, was the son of Edward Price Passey and Jemima Passey, and is recorded in the 1861 census as living at Woolwich Dockyard, Kent, with his father, a 45 year old Royal Marine, his mother, brother and sister. Passey enlisted into 84th Foot on 31/8/1875. At the time of enlistment he was 18 years of age and gave his trade as that of clerk. Passey transferred to the 65th Foot on 1/10/1879. He was promoted Corporal, 26/4/1882, Sergeant, 29/7/1885, and was discharged on 2/6/1887, after 12 years and 305 days service with the colours. In addition to service at home, Passey saw service in India and Sudan, with the 65th Foot and 84th Foot. Following the outbreak of the Boer War, Passey enlisted into the 2nd Battalion Royal Lancashire Reserve Regiment with the rank of Sergeant, on 19/3/1900 and was promoted Colour Sergeant, 18/7/1900. At the time of this second enlistment he was 42 years old and gave his trade as that of clerk. While serving with the Royal Lancashire Reserve Regiment, Passey volunteered for overseas service in South Africa, enlisting into the 5th (Militia) Battalion Manchester Regiment with the rank of Private, on 1/6/1901. Subsequently promoted Sergeant, he saw service with the 5th Manchesters in South Africa, 1901-1902. Passey is recorded in the 1911 census as a 53 year old married general labourer, employed at a Post Office Sorting Depot, lodging at 98 Union Road, Buckland, Dover. Following the outbreak of WW1, Passey enlisted into the 6th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps with the rank of Private, 28/10/1916. At the time of enlistment he was 59 years and 2 months old, and confirmed previous service with the York & Lancaster Regiment, Royal Lancashire Reserve Regiment and the Manchester Regiment. Passey saw service at home with various battalions and companies of the Royal Defence Corps, 28/10/1916 to 7/12/1917, and was discharged on the latter date as a result of sickness and his age. At the time of discharge he was 60 years old and had seen service with various regiments during a period spanning over 40 years from 1875 to 1917.

The 5th Manchesters were embodied for service in South Africa from 6/5/1901 to 28/7/1902. The battalion landed at Capetown on 10/7/1901 and were employed on the lines of communication, building blockhouses and making trenches.

Passey was also entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal and the Silver War Badge.

Passey married Sarah Jane Hopper at Dover in 1886. He died at Chelsea, age 74, in 1932.