A Victorian LS&GC to Sergeant Major Charles James Pigeon, Viceroy’s Band and Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), late 82nd Regiment and 1st (The Royal Scots). 

Victorian Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named to Sergt. Major C.J. Pigeon Viceroys Band 

The medal has an edge knock just before the V of ‘VICEROYS’ and a couple of other minor edge bruises. Otherwise in good condition. 

Comes with copy service papers.

Charles James Pigeon was born on 26 February 1841 in Lambeth, London, and attested as a boy into the 82nd Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers) on 12 December 1856.  His discharge papers contain conflicting information about his age, noting Pigeon’s underage service ended on 11 June 1860, suggesting his birthdate was 12 June 1842.  Either way, his later service suggests he was assigned to the regimental band.  The 82nd sailed for China on 20 May 1847 but then rerouted to India for the mutiny.  Although the 82nd were heavily involved in the war, Pigeon did not receive the Indian Mutiny Medal.  Presumably, the underage Pigeon remained with the band; only those who engaged the mutineers qualified for the medal. 

Despite his conduct being described as “very good”, Pigeon remained a private.  He ended up spending more than 12 of his 13 years with the 82nd in India.  Pigeon was discharged on 25 March 1870 when the battalion’s establishment was reduced upon their return to England.

Pigeon re-enlisted on 11 April 1871, this time with the 1st (The Royal Scots) Regiment of Foot.  The 1st Battalion was stationed in Warley while the 2nd Battalion was in India.  Apparently wanting to return, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion and departed for the East Indies on 16 January 1872.  Soon after his arrival, Pigeon transferred to the Unattached List on 19 April 1872.  He was promoted directly to sergeant on 20 March 1876, although this was later antedated to 9 August 1873.  From the naming on his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, it appears Pigeon served with the Victory’s Band while in India.  This is consistent with his 1871 reenlistment papers, which states his profession as “musician”.

Pigeon again transferred regiments, this time to the 100th (Prince of Wales’ Royal Canadian) (retitled the 1st Battalion Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) in 1881) on 1 October 1878.  However, he seems to have remained seconded to the Viceroy’s Band since he appears on the 100th Regimental District muster roll, listed as “1st Bn”, rather than the battalion’s muster roll.

Pigeon was promoted directly from Sergeant to Sergeant Major on 3 May 1879.  His Long Service & Good Conduct Medal appears in General Order of Commander-in-Chief in India (GOCC) dated 3 July 1880.  Pigeon was discharged on 31 October 1882.  Pigeon spent more than 22 of his 24 years in India, the LSGC being his only medal.

Pigeon married Lucy Ellen Walton on 28 August 1882.  They had 3 children.  The 1891 and 1901 censuses list his occupation as general store keeper.  He died in London on 3 December 1906