A Gorton / Edwardstone, Suffolk ,'Highlander's' Campain & Long Service Medal Group of 5: Private Isaac Death 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs the Duke of Albany's) late 72nd Regiment of Foot (Duke of Albany's Highlanders)

The group an 'un-marked' set of official duplicate medals that were issued and sent to the veteran in 1917, when he was a military pensioner resident of -

- Afghanistan 1878-80, 4 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1828 Pte I. Death. 1/Sea: Hdrs.)
- Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (No. 1828 Private Isaac Death 72nd Highlanders)
- Egypt & Sudan Medal 1882-89. Dated 1882. With clasp 'Tel-El-Kebir' (1828 Pte I. Death. 1/Sea: Hdrs.)
- Army LS&GC Medal. Victorian issue (1828 Pte I. Death. 1/Sea: Hdrs.)
- Egypt: Khedive’s Star. Dated 1882 (1828 Pte. I. Death 72nd Hdrs.)

Sold together with below re-strike display item:

- 72nd Highlanders. A cast gilding metal badge. Reverse 'sans' loop fittings

Medals & Clasps Verification: All medals and clasps verified as entitled, and issued per below cited medal roll and Army Order references

- Afghanistan 1878-80 with 4 x clasps: WO 100/52
- Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880: WO 100/52
- Egypt & Sudan Medal 1882, 'TEK': WO 100/59
- Army LS&GC Medal. Victorian issue: Recipients service papers refer
- Egypt: Khedive’s Star. Dated 1882: Recipients service papers refer

The Afghan and Egypt medal rolls each recording the official duplicate medal issues. The entry for the Afghan awards here cited below:

Quote,

Dup Med. & 4 Cls.also Bronze Star issd. 14-7-17 to the Hon. Sec. Scottish Naval & Mil Veterans Residence Whitefoord House Edinburgh...

Unquote.

A good set of service papers for this recipient are extant and accessible at The National Archives

An obituary to the veteran was published in 'The Scotsman' newspaper issue of, 8 May 1919, which we are here below quoting in full:

Quote,

DEATH OF AN OLD SEAFORTH HIGHLANDER:- The death occurred on Tuesday, at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, of Mr Isaac Death, late Seaforth Highlanders, after a short illness. Mr Death joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1869, and was discharged to pension in 1892. He served in the Afgan War, and took part in Lord Roberts's famous march from Kabul to the relief of Kandahar. He also served in the Egyptian Expedition, 1882. Isaac Death was in possession of the Afgan Medal with four bars and star, the Egyptian Medal with one bar and star and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He will be buried from the Scottish Naval and Military Veteran's Residence to-morrow, with full military honours.

Unquote.

Isaac Death, eldest son of George Death (an Agricultural Labourer) & Louisa Death (nee Griggs) was a native of Groton in the parish of Edwardstone, Suffolk, England , where he was born in 1847, and where he is recorded to have been baptized on, 13 April 1847. At the time he enlisted in the British Army - for a bounty of £1 and 'Free Kit' - at Colchester Camp, England, on 20 November 1869, he described his trade as 'Labourer' and that he was 22 years 10 months of age. He initially served with 20th Regiment of Foot until 31 July 1870, on which date he transferred to the 72nd Regiment Highlanders. He re-engaged in January 1878 to complete 21 years, and in November 1890 was permitted to continue in the service beyond 21 years. Isaac took final discharge fromm the British Army on, 22 April 1891. During his 21 years plus service, most of his time was spent overseas, including campaign service in both phases of the Second Afghan War, and participation with the 'Indian Contingent' at the great desert victory of 'Tel-el-Kebir' during the Arabi-Pasha' Rebellion in Egypt. Isaac's deployments during his army career is shown below:

- Home: 22/11/1869 - 20/02/1871 (1 year 91 days)
- East Indies (India & Afghanistan War): 21/02/1871 - 01/08/1882 (11 years 62 days)
- Egypt: 02/08/1882 - 01/11/1882 (92 days)
- Home: 02/11/1882 - 22/04/1891: 103 days
- South Africa: 30 January 1881 - 21 January 1882 (8 years 162 days)

During his Army service he married Ann Urquhart at Edinburgh, Scotland, on 11 November 1886. The couple were subsequently blessed with two children, a daughter Adriana Death (b. 28 February 1889), and a son, George Death (b. 14 December 1890

The group in choice condition, and a regimental campaign set virtually never seen in such choice unmarked condition - the duplicate medals issued in 1917 to a veteran resident of 'Whitefoord House' Edinburgh, who died just two years later.....

Condition: Mostly about EF

Code: 24958