Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. (3035 Qr. Master Sergt. Joseph Wilson 85th Foot), suspension slack, contact marks, edge wear, otherwise very fine.
Joseph Wilson was born in Hartford, Huntingdon about 1835 and worked as a labourer prior to enlisting with the 85th Regiment of Foot at Westminster on 18 February 1852, at which time he was seventeen years old. Over the next twenty years of his service, Wilson was posted overseas multiple times and served for three years in Mauritius, seven years in South Africa, and nearly five years in India. He was advanced Corporal two years after his enlistment in April 1854; to Sergeant in April 1856, and to Colour Sergeant in October 1861. Whilst serving in South Africa, in March 1862 Wilson reengaged for a further eleven years and was promoted Quarter Master Sergeant in January 1870, earning his L.S. & G.C. with a £10 gratuity.
After over 20 years with the Colours, Wilson was discharged on the termination of his engagement on 7 October 1872. He intended to return to Huntingdon and work as a labourer, however, civilian life did not hold his interest for long as on 13 August 1873, at the age of 44, he joined the 2nd Hunts Rifle Regiment of Militia (5th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps). While he enlisted for only a five year period, Wilson was not discharged until 28 February 1889, when he was 55 years old, at which point he was found medically unfit for further service; sold together with copied research.
