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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 360

The unusual campaign group of four awarded to Sergeant A. West, Shropshire Light Infantry attached His Excellency the Viceroy's Band

Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed as issued; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (3388 Pte. A. West, 2nd Shropshire Lt. Infy.); King's South Africa 1900-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3388 Corpl: A. R. West. Shrops: L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Sergt. A. R. West. H. E. the Viceroys Band), mounted for wear in that order, the retaining pin removed from the bar, contact marks, very fine and rare to the unit (4)

Arthur Robert West was born at Aldershot, Hampshire on 2 February 1876, the son of Sergeant-Major R. West, Royal Army Medical Corps. He attended the Royal Hibernian Military School, training as a Musician there before attesting as Boy on 2 February 1891 with the Shropshire Light Infantry. Reaching his majority in 1894 he was advanced Private and from there was appointed Musician on 19 March 1897.

Entering the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa on 7 November 1899 he was present for the Battle of Paardeberg in which the Shropshires played a major role. Advanced Corporal on South Africa on 1 November 1902 he was posted to India on 7 January 1903. There West's musical aspirations began to shine through and he applied for a transfer to the His Excellency the Viceroy's Band in February 1906.

This was confirmed and he joined the Indian Unattached List from 1 April 1906 being advanced Sergeant on 1 April 1907. He was still serving in that capacity in 1911 and doubtless was awarded his Delhi Durbar medal for that reason. West was finally discharged at Gosport on 9 March 1912 and died on 12 December 1940; sold together with copied research.


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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£210