NEW ZEALAND VICTORIAN MEDAL TO PTE. JOHN McCANN

New Zealand Medal 1869, reverse dated 1864 to 1866, to 3798 Private John McCann, 68th Light Infantry.

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated '1864-66', (3798 John McCann, 68th Lt Infty), contact marks and contact wear overall, nearly very fine.

Correctly impressed: 3798 JOHN McCANN. 68TH LT. INFTY.

John McCann was born at Seagoe, Armagh in 1827 and worked as a weaver prior to attesting at Loughgall, Armagh on 29 January 1855. Posted first to Malta for a month he later joined the Regiment in the Crimea (Crimea medal and clasps, BALAKLAVA 25/10/1854 Turkish Crimea Medal). He is further noted as serving for over a year in the Ionian Islands and almost a decade in the East Indies.

McCann was still with the unit when they were posted to New Zealand, participating in the wars being fought theRE for the next two years and five months.

Returning to Portsmouth in 1866 he re-engaged and was to serve until 1876 when he retired, citing his intention of settling in Seagoe, Armagh where he had been born. McCann is listed as entitled to an L.S. & G.C. in John Billcliff's 'Well done the 68th' however his service papers give no sign that this was awarded; comes together with copied medal rolls and service papers.

An interesting medal and worthy of further research.

Code: 50534