These medals are the only medals received by Quarter Master Sergeant John
Masterson. He is a good example of a soldier whose only recognition
of service is in the form of medals for long and meritorious service.
There is a misconception that all the soldiers of the Victorian era served
on active service or served in far flung posts of the empire. Many soldiers
spent their entire service in the British Isles, as did John Masterson,
or if they did serve overseas they did so without being engaged on active
campaign service.
The two regular British medals are the Victorian Meritorious Service Medal
and the Victorian Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal. Both of these medals
recognize John Masterson's long and meritorious service of 25 years and 154
days in the British Army.
The two smaller medals are Moderator Medals of the PERTH SOCIETY OF HIGH CONSTABLES, both are dated 1894-96 and both are named on the reverse to Masterson. The exact origins of the Perth High Constables is lost in antiquity. From records as early as 1411 they were acting as defenders of the city walls and guards to city officials. The last fighting in the Perth area occurred in 1843 when a group of suppressed soldiers stationed there ran amok of the law. In recent times they have acted as guards and participants in ceremonial occasions such as Royal Visits.
For the biographical details on the services of Quarter Master Masterson please see : Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson.