Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 394

The campaign pair awarded to Bombardier A.G. Leigh, No 3 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, who tragically took his own life in 1949

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Samana 1891 (71202 Trumpeter A.G. Leigh. No. 3 Mn. By. R.A); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (71202 Bombr. A.G. Leigh. No. 3 Mtn. By. R.A.), contact marks, very fine (2)

Arthur Graham Leigh was born at Chorley, Lancashire in 1874 the son of Arthur George Leigh, a music teacher and music seller, and a former Mayor of Chorley. He attested in the Royal Artillery at Preston on 25 February 1889 aged just 14 years old. He joined B Battery, Royal Horse Artillery as a Boy before being posted to the 10th Mountain Battery on 2 November 1890, subsequently transferring to the 3rd Mountain Battery as a trumpeter on 30 November 1890. He was advanced to Gunner on 4 March 1893 and appointed Bombardier on 29 June 1893. Leigh served in India from 2 December 1890 until 11 February 1896. Invalided home he was admitted to Netley hospital for 51 days suffering from infection and anaemia. He purchased his discharge on 12 October 1896 for the regal sum of £18.

The Chorley Guardian of 12 October 1895 published his experiences in the Chitral campaign, a copy of which accompanies the group. The Chorley Guardian on 29 July 1949 published details of his death:

'The death under tragic circumstances was recoded yesterday of my Graham Leigh of 19 Kensington Road, Chorley. He was a well-known personality, a bachelor and a gentleman whom courtesy was a notable characteristic. Mr Leigh was 75 years old and second son of the late Alderman Arthur George Leigh who was mayor of Chorley from November 1887 to 1889. In his early manhood Mr Leigh trained for military service at Sandhurst (sic) and for a short time was stationed in India. Subsequently he held an appointment as Inspector for the Ribble and Mersey water board from which he retired 15 years ago. He served for a short period on the Borough Road Safety committee...'

The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed by ill health. He was found hanging in the wash house of his home on 28 July. He suffered depression, the result of his sister's poor health; sold together with a quantity of copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£290

Starting price
£100