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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 18

South Africa 1834-53 (J. Subden. Cape Md Rifles), suspension slack contact marks, very fine

John Subden was born at Arnold, Nottinghamshire in May 1834 and attested at Nottingham on 4 February 1851 into the 60th Rifles. He joined the Regiment in Ireland on 22 Feb 1851 and served with them until 1 November 1853 when he transferred to the Cape Mounted Rifles with the number 2329. Serving with them in South Africa during the 8th Xhosa War, Subden will have seen heavy action in what proved to be a brutal and protracted conflict.

Subden was discharged at Graham's Town on 26 January 1859 with his discharge overseen by a court led by Major Thomas Hare, after whom Fort Hare in Eastern Cape is named. It was noted in the medical report that:

'Private John Subden got a kick from a horse which caused rupture of left side, rendering unfit for mounted duty or any prolonged agitation'.

Having returned to Britain he joined the 2nd Class, Army Reserve on 21 June 1861, a Chelsea Pensioner in his old age Subden retired to 39 Church Street, Old Basford, Nottingham; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£170