TOPIC:

I thought this a fair price for what are replacement medals - although authentic in every way and worn by the recipient, it's not quite the same as originals. I saw a face book comment by the family who were hoping to win them back that they had been unsuccessful.

I suppose at £22 000 without the 24% + VAT + 5% (outside UK) it was always going to be pricey for some.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

SAGS (1) 1877-8-9 (2389. Lce. Sergt. J. Key. 2-24th. Foot.)

John Key attested at Secunderabad, India, on 28 August 1871, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot. He was appointed a Drummer in 1873, but reverted back to Private in September 1877, and was appointed a Lance-Corporal in May 1878. He was promoted Corporal two months later, on 3 July 1878, and served as a Corporal in ‘B’ Company at the epic defence of the mission station at Rorke’s Drift on 22-23 January 1879.

The majority of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift (97 out of a total force of approximately 154) were members of ‘B’ Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, commanded by Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, and in total the Company received seven of the eleven Victoria Crosses given for Rorke’s Drift (to Bromhead, Corporal William Allen, and Privates Frederick Hitch, Alfred Hook, Robert Jones, William Jones, and John Williams), the greatest number of Victoria Crosses given to a single Regiment for the same action.

Key was appointed Lance-Sergeant in ‘A’ Company on 18 February 1879, and transferred to ‘H’ Company the following month, being promoted Sergeant on 20 March 1880. He was placed on the unattached List at Secunderabad on 1 March 1884.

The medal to John Key sold for a hammer price of GBP 30,000. Totals: GBP 38,640. R 850,280. AUD 71,000. NZD 77,190. CAD 63,390. USD 48,010. EUR 43,360.