Military Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Victorian 3rd issue (1571. Pte. J. Madge. 1-7th. Foot)

Note: Recipient had prior served with the 60th Rifles & 94th Regiment of Foot prior to transferring to the 1st Battalion 7th (Royal Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot

Medal verification: Awarded 2 October 1878 (the extant service papers held & accessible at The National Archives refer)

Joseph Madge was a native of, Tavistock, Devon, England, where he was born circa 1839. By trade a 'Smith', Joseph enlisted for the British Army at, Devonport, Devon, on, 2 October 1857, on which date he was posted to the 60th Rifles. Joseph remained with the 60th Rifles for 2 years & 151 days. He was transferred to the 94th Regiment of Foot on, 1 March 1860, and remained with the 94th for 7 years & 184 days. Joseph lastly transferred to the, 1st Battalion 7th Regiment of Foot on, 1 October 1867, with which regiment he served 11 years & 23 days. Joseph took his final discharge from the British Army, on, 8 October 1878, having served a total of 21 years & 8 days 'With the Colours', including overseas service as under:

- East Indies: 9 years & 9 months

At the time of taking his discharge from the British Army, Joseph indicated that his future intended place of residence was to be, Beesby, near Alford, Lincolnshire, England. By the time of the 1881 National Census for England & Wales, Joseph had relocated to the Battersea District of London, where he was employed as a 'Butler / Servant '. Joseph later became an 'In-pensioner' at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where he was admitted as a 'Chelsea Pensioner' (ref WO23 Royal Hospital Chelsea: Admission Books, Registers & Papers) on, 1 December 1898. Joseph died at the Ryal Hospital Chelsea on, 10 February 1900

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

The medal sometime abrasively cleaned with surface scratches - and as proudly worn by a confirmed 'Chelsea Pensioner'

Condition: Cleaned F

Code: 22376