A SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1879 WITH 1879 CLASP TO MAJOR CHARLES C...

A SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1879 WITH 1879 CLASP TO MAJOR CHARLES COATES OF THE 99TH FOOT. A South Africa medal with 1879 clasp named to Major C. Coates 99th Foot. Charles Coates from Clifton was born on the 20th June 1839. Ensign by purchase in 1857, Lieutenant by purchase in 1859 and Captain by purchase from March 1863, Brevet Major from August 1877, Major by promotion from October 1877 and retired with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the 2nd July 1879. His record lists service in China, Cape of Good Hope and Natal. and confirms his presence at the action of the 22nd January at Inyezane. Coates was one of only two officer's with the rank of Major with the 99th in South Africa, and as such was one of the most senior officer's under the Lt Colonel and Bt Lt Colone. Coates later served as a Justice of the Peace at Clifton, his father Joseph Coates, also having served in this role. The Wardrobe museum in Salisbury have a photograph of Major Coates in Uniform. Provenance: The Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Benskin Green Collection, purchased in February 1953 from Baldwin for 50s. Loaned to 'The Wardrobe' Military museum Salisbury by Dr J. Green 1982 - 2026.

Estimate:£700

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