PRIVATE S. LIGGET, 2ND BATTALION 18TH ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT (LATER 86TH FOOT). New Zealand

PRIVATE S. LIGGET, 2ND BATTALION 18TH ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT (LATER 86TH FOOT). New Zealand Medal 1845-66 reverse dated 1863-1866 (officially impressed: 1154. SAML. LIGGET, 2ND. BN. 18TH. RYL. IRISH REGT.). Couple of tiny edge nicks, otherwise Extremely Fine and accompanied by a modern, engraved nameplate bearing details of medal and recipient.

Medal accompanied by 3 pages of copied service papers. Samuel Ligget was born in the parish of Killyman, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. He enlisted into the 18th Foot at Dungannon on 15/8/1859. At the time of enlistment, Ligget was 19 years of age and gave his trade as that of brickmaker. He never rose above the rank of Private and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 30/9/1877. Ligget was recalled to army service during the Zulu War, on 16/4/1878. After recall he saw service with the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment (the post 1880 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles) and was finally discharged 21/9/1880 “having completed his second period of limited engagement whilst in the Army Reserve”. At the time of discharge, Liggett stated that his intended place of residence was Dungannon.

Medal also accompanied by photocopied extract from medal roll, confirming New Zealand Medal with 1863-66 reverse. The 86th Foot did not serve overseas during the Zulu War. The New Zealand War Medal was Ligget’s sole medal entitlement.