PRIVATE FRANCIS COOLING, 88TH REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION CONNAUGHT RANGERS). Indian Mutiny Medal, no clasp

PRIVATE FRANCIS COOLING, 88TH REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION CONNAUGHT RANGERS). Indian Mutiny Medal, no clasp (officially renamed, impressed in the correct style, serifed capitals: FRAS. COOLING, 88TH., and additionally engraved “REGT” in serifed capitals after “88TH” on edge of medal). Good Very Fine.

With photocopied medal roll and 2 pages of Discharge Papers. Medal roll confirms entitled no clasp medal (only 134 no clasp medals awarded 88th Regiment).

Francis Cooling’s service papers are mixed up with those of another soldier on the FindMyPast website. What can be read regarding Cooling confirms that he was born in 1836, in the parish of Burton near Somerton, Somerset, and enlisted into the 88th Regiment on 30/1/1855. Cooling was discharged at Chatham on 1/7/1862. Discharge papers give trade as labourer and note that he was discharged as a result of being “unfit for further service defective vision both eyes, the result of exposure in India”. Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioners Admissions Book confirms Francis Cooling as having been admitted as an out-pensioner on the day of his discharge, 1/7/1862, and granted a pension of 6 pence per day, to be payable by the Paymaster at Taunton. Discharge papers have extensive notes re. pension and increases in same up to 12/3/1901, including a “special increase” of pension to 18 pence per day on 19/2/1901.