Queen victoria, Empress of India medal 1877, (Unnamed as issued) attributed to 2840 Serjeant Major Robert Tyson of the 54th West Norfolk Regiment

He was born around 1837 in Chatham, Kent. Attested for the 54^th Regiment at Bristol in the county of Gloucester on the 21^st August 1851 at the age of 14 years. He was also an instructor on volunteer staff teaching musketry with the 21^st Lancashire R V. After long service he retired a Chelsea pensioner

Dates of service and promotion:

54^th Regiment of Foot

21.08.1851 Boy

21.08.1852 Private (under age)

21.08.1855 Private

01.06.1857 Private

01.03.1860 Awarded 1d per day Good conduct pay

19.11.1863 Promoted to Corporal

01.06.1863 promoted to Sergeant

04.06.1865 Re-engaged at Calcutta for 11 years

01.12.1867 Promoted to Colour Sergeant

01.08.1865 Promoted to (unclear) Sergeant

21.08.1863 Awarded good conduct pay 2d per day

21.08.1868 Awarded good conduct pay 3d per day

21.08.1871 Awarded good conduct pay 4d per day

07.06.1875 Promoted Sergeant Major

21.08.1876 Long service medal. Awarded good conduct pay 5d per day

15.02.1877 Left service

05.06.1877 Discharged

Sjt Major Robert Tyson serverd 21 years 177 days service with the colours during which he served 16 4/12 years abroad. serving in:

In North America 1 3/12 years

In Gibraltar 1 7/12 years

In East Indies 13 6/12 years

He is also intitled to the Indian Mutiny Medal 1854-56 & long service and good conduct medal. He was, when promoted, in possession of two GC Badges, and would now, had he not been promoted, have been in possession of five GC badges. Not in possession of a school certificate. He was also present on board steam transport “Sarah Sands” when burnt at sea with 54 Regiment on board on 11 November 1857