Description

1854 – 1870 South Africa Kaffir War, Crimea, Canada Fenian Raid and Long Service medal group to Bugle Major Michael McGrath, who served for 43 years with the Rifle Brigade and Militia.

South Africa Medal, 1834, reverse dated 1853, impressed named M MCGRATH. 1ST BN RIFLE BDE.; Crimea Medal, 1854, with four clasps ALMA, BALAKLAVA, INKERMAN, SEBASTOPL, regimentally impressed named NO 2336. (rank and initial removed) MCGRATH. R.; Turkish Crimea Medal (British), unnamed as issued.; Canada General Service Medal (1866 – 70) with clasp FENIAN RAID 1870, period engraved 2336 BGLE MAJ. M. MCGRATH 1/R.B.; Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1854 swivel suspension), impressed named 2336 BUGLE MAJOR MCGRATH. 1ST BN FIFLE BDE. Court mounted for display with copies of service records, medal rolls and research. Rare.

Bugle Major Michael McGrath was born in Bombay, India in 1832, no doubt his father was a British soldier in the Rifle Brigade. He enlisted as a Boy Bugler (14 years old) into the Rifle Brigade at Westminster on 28/7/1846. He served for the next 21 years with the 1st Battalion with 14 ½ years overseas. His overseas service included two postings to South Africa 1848 – 1850 and 1852 – 1853. The Crimea September 1854 – March 1856. Promoted to Corporal in 1860, he served in Canada for nearly 9 years from 1861 to 1870, being promoted to Sergeant and Bugle Major in 1864. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct medal with gratuity in 1868. On returning to England, he discharged on 15/8/1871 with a pension. He promptly enlisted into the Essex Rifle Militia as their Bugle Major serving until 1889. He appears on the 1891 census as an Army pensioner residing in Colchester, Essex.