Pair: Company Sergeant Major Edward Young, Gloucestershire Regiment Army L.S. & G.C.,...

Pair: Company Sergeant Major Edward Young, Gloucestershire Regiment

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3054. Sgt. E. Young. Glouc: R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (1932-38), (Sjt. E. Young. Glouc. R.) with named card box of issue, small edge bruise to the first, otherwise good very fine or better (2) £400-£500

---

Annuity M.S.M. awarded circa 1935.

Edward Albert Young was born on 10 November 1860 in the Parish of Bleadon, Weston Super Mare, Somerset. He attested for 37th Brigade at Bristol on 10 December 1880, aged 19, his subsequent service being perfectly summarised in an accompanying typescript statement on the announcement of the award of the Meritorious Service Medal:

‘We are pleased to record that Mr. E. Young, who has been a member of the Staff for the last 17 years has been awarded by H.M. The King the Meritorious Medal for his long service in the Army.

Mr. Young joined the Army in December 1880 enlisting at Horfield Barracks and remaining there until the latter part of 1881, when he was drafted out to India to join his Regiment, the Gloucestershire Regiment (61st Foot) remaining there until 1894. He was promoted L/Corpl in 1881, Corporal 1884, Sergeant 1886.

During his time in India he was appointed Regimental Gymnastic Instructor to the Battalion. In 1888 in the Assault-at-Arms at Poona (open to all troops in the Bombay Presidency) he was awarded the Bronze Medal, which was presented to him by the Duke of Connaught. In 1890 he was awarded the Silver Cup in the Fencing Tournament at Bombay (competed by all troops in the Presidency). On this occasion this prize was presented to him by the late Duke of Clarence.

After 13 years Service in India Sergeant Young returned to the Depot at Horfield Barracks, Bristol and was employed on the Gymnastic Staff until his retirement in 1901, having completed 21 years service. In 1898 he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

At the outbreak of the Great War Mr. Young volunteered his services which were accepted in August 1914 and joined the permanent Army Gymnastic Staff at Aldershot. After doing duty on the Salisbury Plain Area as Gymnastics Instructor to the Troops stationed there was released in May 1918 with the rank of Company Sergeant Major, for the purpose of joining the staff at Downside as Gymnastic Instructor to the Officers Training Corps.

We wish him many years to enjoy the honour recently conferred upon him.’

Sold with the following accompanying prizes and documents:

i. Royal Military Tournament, Bronze Medal, the reverse inscribed ‘District Competition Bombay Presidency 1888, winner 1st Prize. Bayonet v. Bayonet E. Young.’

ii. Silver Cup (plate), inscribed ‘Bombay Vol. Athletic Sports. Winner 1st Prize Fencing Sergt. E. Young.’ Awarded in 1890 (see above).

iii. 3rd V.B. Gloucestershire Regiment, Marksman, Charles Thomas Volunteer Prize Fund, Bronze Medal, reverse inscribed ‘1902 Serg. E. A. Young’, in presentation case, the lid gold-embossed with regimental crest.

iv. 3rd V.B. Gloucestershire Regiment, Marksman, Charles Thomas Volunteer Prize Fund, Silver Medal, hallmarked Birmingham 1907, reverse inscribed ‘Sergt. E. A. Young C Company’, in presentation case, the lid gold-embossed with regimental crest.

v. 6th Batt: Glos: Regt. 1908. ‘C’ Compy., Silver Shooting Prize, hallmarked Birmingham 1908, the reverse inscribed ‘Sergt. E. A. Young.’

vi. Document folder (Army Form B. 2067 A.) containing a variety of documents including parchment Certificates of Discharge and Character (7 January 1902), Certificates of Discharge and Character (15 May 1918), copy Birth and Marriage Certificates, news cuttings, etc.