SERGEANT-MAJOR H. NOWELL, 91ST (ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS). South Africa Medal 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (officially named, engraved in serifed block capitals: 928 SERGt. MAJOR H. NOWELL. 91st. FOOT.). Small plugged hole in field of planchet above Queen Victoria's head, suspender re-affixed (claw tightened), scattered rim bruises, edge nicks and surface contact marks, otherwise attractively toned, Very Fine, and an interesting medal to the 91st Foot's senior NCO during the Zulu campaign of 1879.
Medal accompanied by biographical details, 10 pages copied service papers (1 page Worcestershire Militia, 9 pages regular army) and copied medal roll extracts (2, original and published) confirming medal and clasp.
Henry "Harry" Nowell (1843-1893) was born on 25/12/1843 in the parish of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. He enlisted into the 91st Foot by way of the militia, enlisting into the Worcestershire Militia on 25/8/1865, transferring on the same day to the 91st Foot. At the time of enlistment he was 21 years and 10 months old and gave his trade as "nailer". Nowell rose steadily through the ranks, being promoted Corporal 143/4/1869, Sergeant 20/10/1873, Colour Sergeant 1/4/1876 and Sergeant-Major 19/2/1879, reverting to Sergeant on 20/2/1880, being promoted again to Colour Sergeant on 1/7/1881, reverting to Sergeant on 1/10/1881, being re-promoted Colour Sergeant 20/5/1882 and eventually being discharged on 25/10/1886, after 21 years and 22 days with the colours (21 years and 15 days pensionable service). In addition to service at home, Nowell also saw service in India, South Africa (twice) and Mauritius. Henry Nowell died in Bromsgrove in January 1893, aged 49.
When I purchased this medal (Noonan's 19/6/2024, lot 800, part) it was described by the auctioneer as being renamed. This is not the case. The medal measures correctly 36mm in an electronic gauge and the naming, although contact marked in places, is official and entirely original. The medal has, however, obviously been reconstituted at some stage, having presumably been holed for wear from a ring suspender.
