SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1879 ( ZULU WARS) ROYAL ARTILLERY. To: R. VINTINER. R.A. A MAN WITH AN INCREDIBLE MEDICAL HISTORY ! ( One wonders how he survived his own ailments, never mind enemy action ! )

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TO: 4351. DRIV: R. VINTINER. 6th. Bde. R.A.
Richard Vintiner was a farm labourer of 18 years from Biggleswade prior to his enlistment on 22nd February 1864 at Woolwich.

We have copies of all his service papers from P.R.O. and I must comment that this is perhaps one of the most incredible medical histories I have ever read for an ordinary soldier.

Richard Vintiner must have have either been very unlucky (and careless) or just a sickly lad who gained entry (somehow) into the army in an attempt to take advantage of better medical care.

From 1866 he suffered from: Primary Syphillis, Ague,(Sweats & temperature now normally considered to be Malaria) Gonorrhoea, Boils , Hepatitis, Protrusions,(Hernia) Bronchitis, Influenza, Absesses, Haemorrhoids,Febricula and Inflamed Glands,  
Discharged in 1885 his officer described him as "Indifferent" and as having been " Addicted to Strong Drink" 

I think that if I had sufferded as much as Vintiner I would also have been a very fed up heavy drinker!
A WONDERFUL MEDAL ON ITS ORIGINAL RIBBON
UNCLEANED & PRACTICALLY MINT STATE
SOLD