Lot 618
618
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Four: Private W. Sprackett, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Late Rifle Brigade, Canada General Service, one clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (Drummer, 1st Bn. R. Bde.); Egypt, dated, one clasp, Alexandria 11th July (Cap. Stewd., H.M.S. Alexandra); Khedive's Star 1882; Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, V.R., 'narrow suspension' (Private, 26th Co., R.M.L.I.), the last with edge bruise, otherwise good very fine or better

Details
Four: Private W. Sprackett, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Late Rifle Brigade, Canada General Service, one clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (Drummer, 1st Bn. R. Bde.); Egypt, dated, one clasp, Alexandria 11th July (Cap. Stewd., H.M.S. Alexandra); Khedive's Star 1882; Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, V.R., 'narrow suspension' (Private, 26th Co., R.M.L.I.), the last with edge bruise, otherwise good very fine or better

Three: Private W.G.W. Sprackett, Rifle Brigade, 1914 Star (Pte., 3/Rif. Bde.); British War and Victory Medals (Pte., Rif. Brig.), good very fine (7)
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Lot Essay

Private William Sprackett was born in Canterbury, Kent in March 1850 and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Northampton in September 1867, aged 16 years. Appointed a Boy Drummer, he participated in the Red River operations of 1870 with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, and gained advancement to Acting Corporal prior to his discharge in February 1879. Just two months later, Sprackett attested for the Royal Marines at Portsmouth and served as a Musician until October 1880, when he transferred to the Royal Navy. Appointed a Domestic 2nd Class, he served in the Egypt operations as a Captain's Steward aboard H.M.S. Alexandra and was finally pensioned in May 1889 as a Domestic 1st Class.

Private William George Walter Sprackett was born in Horsham, Sussex and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in London in March 1905, aged 17 years. He subsequently served in Malta, India and France, the latter incorporating the periods September to October 1914, and February to March 1915, following which he was discharged as 'no longer fit for war service'.