THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL TO PRIVATE (LATER SERJEANT) WILLIAM BRAY, 73RD (PERTHSHIRE) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION THE BLACK WATCH, ROYAL HIGHLANDERS), LATE EAST YORKSHIRE MILITIA, WHO AFTER SEEING SERVICE WITH THE 73RD FOOT DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY SAW SERVICE WITH THE BENGAL ARTILLERY AND THE ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Indian Mutiny Medal, no clasp (officially named, impressed in serifed block capitals: Wm. BRAY, 73rd REGt.).Attractive light tone, polished, thus Good Fine or perhaps a little better, and with a length of original ribbon.
Medal accompanied by biographical details, 8 pages copied service papers, extract 1911 census return and copied extracts Indian Mutiny medal roll (2, original and published) confirming entitlement to no clasp Indian Mutiny Medal.
William Bray was born in Aylestone, Leicestershire, in 1837, the son of Allen and Mary Bray. He initially enlisted into the East Yorkshire Militia on 28/9/1854, and was subsequently released from the militia in order to enlist into the 73rd Foot, and enlisted into the 73rd Foot at Beverley, Yorkshire on 24/2/1855. At the time of enlistment Bray was 17 years old and gave his trade as labourer.. Bray never rose above the rank of Private whilst serving with the 73rd Foot, transferred to the Bengal Artillery with the rank of Bombardier on 1/3/1860, transferred to 16th Brigade Royal Artillery, with the rank of Corporal, on 3/9/1861 and to the Coastal Brigade, Royal Artillery, on 1/4/1874. Prior to being discharged in 1878 Bray was promoted and demoted on a number of occasions, at one stage being promoted to the rank of Sergeant, but by the time of discharge he was serving as a Bombardier. At the time of discharge Bray's conduct was described as having been "good" and he gave his intended place of residence aa Shoreham, Sussex. In addition to service at home, Bray also saw service at the Cape of Good Hope for 2 years and 265 days and in India for 15 years and 287 days.
William Bray is recorded in the 1911 census as an old age pensioner, 77 years of age and resident in Aylestone with two daughters and a granddaughter.
