An interesting Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded to Sergeant J. Brusty, who...

An interesting Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded to Sergeant J. Brusty, who served 21 years with the Royal Marines and a further 15 years with the 1st Devon Militia, his sole medal entitlement without having served a single day in the (Regular) Army; he was later involved in supressing the 1867 Exeter Bread Riots

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3522 Sergt. John Brusty 1st. Devon Milia.) slight trace of excess solder to suspension claw, edge nicks, good very fine £160-£200

---

John Brusty was born at Brimley Farm, Ilsington, Devon circa 1813 and attested for unlimited service with the Royal Marines at Plymouth on 25 March 1840. A Labourer by trade he was posted to the 63rd Company at the Royal Marines Barracks, Plymouth. Serving afloat in the Mediterranean and Canada he was promoted Corporal in 1845 and Sergeant in 1849. He sailed from Plymouth with H.M.S. Portland on 8 November 1850 making for duty with the Pacific Station and spent nearly 4 years patrolling between Vancouver Island and Cape Horn, during which time he visited most of the Pacific Islands. Returning to Plymouth and promoted Colour Sergeant he was discharged on 27 March 1861 having spent over 9 years afloat. Awarded a Greenwich Pension of 2/- a day, his service will have qualified him to receive the Royal Navy Long Service medal had the quota system in place at the time permitted.

Having returned to Plymouth he applied to join the Militia and the Commanding Officer of the 1st Devon Militia at Exeter requested on 6 March 1862 the sanction of the Secretary of State for War for him to be appointed to the Permanent Staff of the Regiment under his command. He was brought on strength Permanent Staff No 3522 Sergeant No 6 Company 1st Devon Militia on 19 March 1862. Examination of the 1st Devon Militia ‘letter copy book’ (previously held in the archive at RHQ Wyvern Barracks Exeter and now believed to be held in the Devon County Archives at Exeter) for 20 March 1863 revealed the Commanding Officer 1st Devon Militia request to the Adjutant General, Horse Guards for a silver medal without gratuity for Sergeant John Brusty. A further ‘letter copy’ dated 19 June 1863 from the Adjutant 1st Devon Militia to the Adjutant General at Horse Guards confirms receipt of the medal and confirms the medal was presented on parade that morning.

In 1867 the country was widely affected by civil unrest due to the price of bread amongst other causes. This disturbance spread to the West Country and the Mayor of Exeter found it necessary to call for the assistance of the Permanent Staff 1st Devon Militia to suppress a bread riot in the city on 4 November 1867. The Permanent Staff 1st Devon Militia held Exe Bridge against more than 1,000 rioters to prevent them entering the City; after the Riot Act was read the Staff charged the mob with fixed swords and cleared the bridge on 5 November 1867. Many of the Sergeants and Drummers as well as the Sergeant Major and the Adjutant received contusions from Stones and Brickbats during this encounter with the rioters. Following the suppression of the riots the Commanding Officer 1st Devon Militia received the official thanks from the Mayor of Exeter and the Secretary of State for War – Sergeant John Brusty was amongst those on duty that day.

Brusty was discharged on 20 March 1877 having completed his engagement and being found to be medically unfit to be re-enrolled, having served 15 years. His age at the time was given as 55 whereas he was actually aged 64, and he was granted a further pension of 6d a day. In retirement he resided in St Thomas, Exeter and died there on 3 August 1890, aged 78.

Sold with copied service records and considerable other research including copies of contemporary newspaper reports of the 1867 Bread Riots in Exeter.