Lot 4519

Description

Melbourne Volunteer Rifle Regiment Medal, in silver (44mm) with suspender bar. To Corporal, C, G, Rofs, No. 2 Gun Detachment V. V. A. Regt. 24th May 1858. Engraved. A few small edge nicks, uneven toning on one side due to removal of double sided tape, otherwise nearly uncirculated and very rare.

R.D.William's book, Medals to Australia 4th edition, notes that only five of these medals are known. The medal offered here is one of those five known. We believe there are now six known as per our Sale 105 (lot 3760) to Private W.D. Singleton No.2 Gun Detachment V.V.A.R. 24th May 1858, this not previously listed by Williams. Melbourne Volunteer Rifle Regiment, the first Victorian volunteer unit, was formed in 1854. The name was changed to Victoria Volunteer Rifle Regiment shortly after and on 1 January 1856 it was renamed Victoria Volunteer Artillery Regiment.