Volunteer Long Service Medal. Victoria issue for 'India & the Colonies' (Sergt. A. McKinley N.W.Regt. Volr. Rifles)

Medal verification: Only two medals awarded to person's called 'A. McKinley', who served in the North Western Railway Volunteer Rifles, 1898-1902, both which were published - showing no rank. The first was published in the Gazette of India issue 1288 of 1897 (this being the extant award to 'Volunteer' A. McKinley), and the second published in the Gazette of India issue 178 of 1902. Considering the recipient's date of birth - 1866 - and the 18 year qualifying period to earn the medal, it is certain beyond any doubt that the medal here being offered is the medal awarded in 1902

Note: Only an estimated 103 x VLSM's awarded to the North Western Railway Volunteer Railway Corps, 1897-1902 (inc) - of which less than 100 were Victorian issue

Reference: As background narrative see 'The McKinley Medals and some reflections on the services of Eurasians in the Indian Army', by C. J. Parrett, that was published in the Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society, 'Miscellany of Honours No. 7, 1985 pp 3-18, for related information on the McKinley family of Meerut, India, and their medals (for reference only, we are attaching an image of the 'McKinley' family group form that artcile

Albert Wiseman McKinley, the first born child & eldest son of Edward McKinley (who retired as a Troop Sergeant Major of the Lahore Light Horse), and Ann McKinley (nee Bowser), was a Eurasian 'Son of Empire' born at, Meerut, India on, 22 March 1866. Albert was the eldest of eight children, having 4 x sisters and 3 x brothers. As a young man Albert joined the North Western Railway Company, where he worked variously located at Saharanpur (1890) described as a 'Boiler-Maker'; Sukkur (1892); Mussoorie (1896) described as a Mechanic; Landour (1898) described as a 'Foreman Boiler Maker' N.W.R., and Quetta (1906) described as a Boiler Maker. Albert married Mary Constance Bacon (daughter of an 'Apothecary' serving with the 79th Cameron Highlanders) at Saharanpur, on, 8 January 1890. Albert & Mary had five children comprising, 3 x daughters & 2 x sons. Albert Wiseman McKinley is recorded as having died at, Bombay, India, on, 23 January 1933

A superb medal to a Eurasian volunteer recipient, from the fascinating, and evocative - McKinley 'Clan' of Meerut - which family of 18th century Scottish descent provided multiple generations of soldiers to the Bengal Army of the East India Company, and later Indian Volunteers, including Trumpeters, Troop Sergeant Majors, commissioned Jemadars, and even had a McKinley who fought in the Zulu War with the 24th Foot, an, imperial regiment.

Condition: About GVF

Code: 22177