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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 318

A Western Australian pensioners campaign pair awarded to Private J. Lyons, 68th Regiment of Foot, who was severely wounded before Sebastopol

Later settling in Australia after his discharge he became a Warder with the prison service, he was commended for his bravery during a lethal assault upon a fellow warder at Darlinghurst Prison - infamously parodied as 'Starvinghurst' Prison by the Poet Henry Lawson

He worked in the prison service for many years, finally retiring as Governor of Wollongong Goal at the age of 70

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp (J. Lyons. 68th Regt.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, very fine (2)

James Lyons was born at Ballynahinch, Down, Ireland in 1831 and attested at Edinburgh on 18 April 1851 having worked as a miner prior to attestation. He was posted initially to the 59th Foot but transferred to the 68th on 1 March 1852. Joining the Regiment in the Crimea he saw extremely heavy fighting, finally being severely wounded on 13 December 1854 in the trenches before Sebastopol.

His service papers give further details noting that he was struck by stone splinters whilst in the trenches before Sebastopol. The damage this caused to his arm saw him invalided from service on 3 July 1855 at Chatham with the same pension a man would have received for having an amputated arm.

Settling first in Belfast, Ireland he joined the Irish Police and was married there. Leaving Britain on 8 October 1862 as guard for the convict ship York, Lyons arrived in Western Australia on 31 December. His family appear to have joined him there and he settled in New South Wales, finding work as a Wharfinger at Wollongong.

Continuing until retirement he travelled back to Belfast in 1871 where he remained for two years, apparently leaving his wife and children behind. Returning to Australia Lyons was appointed Warder at Darlinghurst prion in 1877 where he was commended for his bravery when a prisoner named Quinlan attacked another Warder.

Promoted to more senior roles he eventually became Deputy Governor at Parramatta and later Governor Wollongong Goal in 1889. Lyons married for the second time there to Sarah Jenkins, the prison matron, he finally retired in 1896, on that date The Daily Telegraph quoted the following:

'Mr. James Lyons, who on Monday last returned from the position of gaoler at Wollongong, is a Crimean veteran. He served through the engagements of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sevastopol, and in recognition of his services was awarded a silver medal bearing these names on separate bars, and also the Turkish medal. He was severely wounded in the last-named engagement, and was discharged with a pension. He subsequently entered the Irish police force, and was afterwards engaged in the convict service in West Australia. Later on he held the position of wharfinger at Wollongong, and on his retirement, paid a visit to Ireland. On his return he joined the prison service as a warder in Darlinghurst gaol. Whilst holding that position he behaved with gallantry in connection with an assault by a prisoner named Quinlan upon a warder named Elliott. His conduct was specially commented upon by the Governor and Comptroller-General, and he was shortly afterwards promoted. He afterwards had charge of gaols at Mudgee, Trial Bay, Berrima, and Young, and also acted as deputy-governor at Parramatta gaol, from which he was appointed to Wollongong. He now retires on a pension.'

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Sold for
£900

Starting price
£320