First Post - 1878/9 Zulu Medal w/Clock William Lewis 1/13th"

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Hi
Posting to acquire additional info on medal and clock awarded to Wm. Lewis of the Somerset 13 foot Can anyone tell me how to post an image of my medal and clock? Thank you/cheers, bob

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Bob

Firstly welcome to the forum.

I am unable to give you any information on his medal or clock?

I do have a copy of his attestation paper, if they are of any use to you?

Do you have his medal and what is the story about a clock?

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Bob

I did not read the second part of your post Shocked

Can anyone tell me how to post an image of my medal and clock? Idea

I have sent you a PM

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

The clock was given to him by the men of His Regiment upon his retiring from service. He was a Corporal during the Zulu war and a Colonel Sergent when retired in December of 1893. I have the key to the clock but the larger side seems stripped. I may bring to local clock maker but am afraid what the cost of repair may be. Surely worth getting working! Thanks for the help with images 1879Graves.

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Bob

Many thanks for sending me that photographs.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Wow:
Wow, many thanks. Now we can begin the discussion. The medal has been polished (I am a coin dealer and noticed this first off) but is still nice with and interesting die flaw near Victoria's crown. I was told that these were the prized possessions of Wm. Lewis' late Great Grandson, Neville. Amazing historic Imperial artifacts if you ask me. Anyone want to venture an approximate value for the pair (clock not working as of now).

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Good news. Clock has doctor's appointment tomorrow AM.

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Bob

A little more information on the clock for you.

If we have a look at his service record.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

From this, we can see that he did not retire in 1893 but in 1899. This can be explained.

From the clock inscription
"Presented To Col. Sergt Lewis
By the NCO's & Men of C Company
On His Leaving The Regt Depot Dec 93."

This adds up with his service record. After serving 14 years and 86 days at home, he was then sent to the East Indies. His Company presented him with this clock on his leaving.

William did not serve for long in the East Indies, because in his service record it shows a very sad story. William's wife Mary Jane fell very sick and was sent back to England. In the aid to help her recover from her illness, it was recommend by the Army Surgeon that her husband return to England with her.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

I will pass that along to Mrs, M. I am sure they will be interested in this information.

Hi Bob .
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing the photo's , Graves1879 thank you for kindly posting them . Bob , in answer to your
question on the value of the items , I have no idea what the clock would be worth I suppose its a case of how much someone is prepared to pay . As for the Medal somewhere between 520 - 600 Pds . Would be worth more if it was fully researched .
cheers 90th. Idea

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Thank you 90th. Depending on how much the clock cost to fix I may have a chance of breaking even. Still, such an historic pair I may keep for kids if possible. What additional research do You think I can do at this point?

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

All together a small fortune. Idea

Hi Bob.
I dont know exactly how to research a medal , graves1879 will certainly know where to go and how to do so . . I do think its the National Archive's in Kew . I had a researcher do mine . He was quite reasonably priced as well . I've had a look for the Medals
with the 78 - 79 Clasp from ebay which I've kept track of since 2007 . Medals with 78-79 Clasp are valued a little higher than 79
only clasp according to the Medal Year Book . Medals from the 1 / 13 Regt 78 -79 Clasp , Nov 2007 515 Pds ( Reserve not met )
March 2008 460 Pds , Oct 2008 422 Pds . Hope this has been of some help . Idea

Cheers 90th.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Back from local cloc-tor. As with any MD there is good news and bad, Good news: French made carraige clock. He thought it was 1933 so I politely pointed out it was 1893 (corrosion evident by date). May be fixable, waiting to hear. Either way He was attracted to engraving. Alas the medal will go on the block in my eBay store. Ebay makes it prohibitive from doing international transactions due to online tracking needs. I may allow for international eBay (just for this item) but would would prefer good old person to person sale (in the event anyone may be interested). I have clients in GB and EU and would like this item to ultimately end up in the UK. I will post item # when active if allowed by forum.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

The medal is for sale (right now set up as U.S. only , but subject to change) U.S. eBay item #160714723695. If any of you gentlemen are interested, please DM me of call my office at 609-408-9360. USA eastern time zone. I hope it ends up in Scotland.

Hi Bob .
Goodluck , hopefully you will get around 520 - 600 Pds for the medal , you may cost yourself money by not making it available
Worldwide . I hope not .
cheers 90th. Idea

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

I will call eBay tonight and explore international shipping options. I did a great WW stamp business but with new eBay regs and free s/h they make it hard on sellers.
Thanks 90th.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

As figured. They need on line tracking ie. $100.00 fedex/ups to cover me on eBay. If anyone has friends/family in states that is easy fix. Or I can end listing and ship to UK/Aust if the right person comes along between now and 12 hrs before listing ends. Thanks to all in your forum for the help and now I/m hooked on Zulu warfare Idea

Hi All.
Just checked the ebay listing for Bob's Medal ( Seller ) cant believe it's only 134 quid !!!!!!!!!! , but it does still have 10 hours to go .
I know I'd be showing some interest if it was to be sold worldwide . Suspect

. What about the RE-NAMED Watson Medal going for
350 Odd Pds , go figure , scratch

.
cheers 90th.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

Item # 160714723695 on U.S. eBay will end in around 6 hours. Maybe some one has a U.S. friend/relative that would place a bid and then send overseas. Ebay requires the seller to provide online tracking thus making it prohibitive for international selling. Cheers, Bob

Hi Bob.
Truly a pity it was listed on Ebay USA , as you didnt get anywhere near what it should have gone for . Someone luckily enough for them got a real bargain . I wouldnt be surprised if it reappears in the not to distant future , and I think the new owner will do ok out of it . Suspect

. Unfortunately Bob I think it sold for at least 25 % less than it should have . I certainly would have been interested at the price but unfortunately I couldnt ask those who I know in the states to put up the money . Hopefully the clock will be ok , any more news on its progress ? .
Cheers 90th.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

No word on the clock. The lady actually laughed at me when I called to check on progress. This indicated to me a long wait may be in store. As for the medal, I was quite happy w$660 USD. I know it would have brought more overseas but once again the few ruin the fun for the good folks. 10 years ago I did a brisk business in the UK and Europe. Now with online tracking required by eBay it makes it difficult. I expect it (the medal) may indeed turn up again soon. Thanks for all your help and I will report back regarding clock.

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

Stamp1220. Yes please keep us up-dated when you can? Good luck.

It is a great shame that after all this time being together, this man's clock and his medal have been broken up and sold separately.

Needs must sometimes. It's the way of life... I agee we will see the medal again.

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

I am in contact with the medal's new owner. He will not be selling the medal as He is a collector. He has expressed interest in the clock as well, so they may once again be together. He said the Soldier would also be entitled to a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. I am looking into that (as well) with the estate's family.

Last edited by tasker224 on Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

Littlehand. Different view points.
I believe that museums, dealers and collectors have a responsibility to preserve and safeguard the integrity of items such as these for all time.

stamp1220 wrote:: I am in contact with the medal's new owner. He will not be selling the medal as He is a collector. He has expressed interest in the clock as well, so they may once again be together. He said the Soldier would also be entitled to a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. I am looking into that (as well) with the estate's family.

That is good news. I very much hope you will be able to keep the clock and medal together and if they could be reunited with the LSGC medal, that would be really excellent news!

Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-01-10

@tasker224 As a dealer I try to preserve the integrity of historical objects that come my way. In this case the clock shop is a variable which I could not cope with. Without knowing how long it may take to even get it looked at, I could not tie up the cash and wait to sell the medal. My kids have to eat and if I did not need the money both would have stayed on my shelf together until I died. The medal's new owner is very interested in having the pair re united. I hope I can discover the LSGC medal to make the set complete. Best regards, Bob

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