PRIVATE I. SIMPKINS, 42ND (ROYAL HIGHLAND, THE BLACK WATCH) REGIMENT (LATE 92ND FOOT). Crimea Medal, 3 clasps Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol

PRIVATE I. SIMPKINS, 42ND (ROYAL HIGHLAND, THE BLACK WATCH) REGIMENT (LATE 92ND FOOT). Crimea Medal, 3 clasps Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (renamed, contemporary re-engraved naming in serifed capitals: 3018 S(gt) I. SIMPKINS 2nd ROYAL HIGHLANDERS). Edge bruising to rim at 11 o’clock, partially obscuring naming details, as indicated (“gt” of “Sgt” somewhat indistinct).

Medal accompanied by copied medal roll extracts confirming medal and clasps and 4 pages copied service papers.

Medal also accompanied by copied extracts Indian Mutiny and Ashantee 1873-4 medal rolls (confirming Simpkins also entitled Indian Mutiny Medal with Lucknow clasp and Ashantee Medal with Coomassie clasp).

Isaac Simpkins was born in the parish of Galbraith, Edinburgh. He enlisted into the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment at Edinburgh on 13/6/1853. At the time of enlistment Simpkins was 18 years old and gave his trade as that of labourer. Simpkins transferred to the 42nd Foot with the rank of Private on 1/3/1854, was promoted Corporal, 21/5/1857, and Sergeant, 7/10/1858. Simpkins was reduced to Private, 15/4/1859, having been convicted of being drunk and absent without leave. Promoted again to Corporal on 1/12/1860 and to Sergeant on 10/1/1862, Simpkins was once more reduced to Private on 17/8/1868, before being promoted to Corporal again on 17/11/1869. On 6/2/1871 Simpkin was tried and reduced to Private for a third time, but promoted to Corporal for a fourth and final time on 16/4/1874. Simpkin was discharged with the rank of Corporal at Portsmouth on 25/8/1874, having served with the colours for 21 years and 32 days (21 years and 7 days pensionable service). At the time of discharge Simpkin gave his intended place of residence as Glasgow. Despite Simpkins’s numerous transgressions and reductions in rank, his discharge papers describe his conduct whilst with the colours as having been “very good”. Discharge papers confirm entitlement to Crimea Medal with 3 clasps, Turkish Crimea Medal and Indian Mutiny Medal with 1 clasp and notes that Simpkins “Claims prize money, if any be granted, for Gold Coast Expedition, also medal and clasp”.