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QSA (6) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between fifth and sixth clasps (7994 A.Bomb M. Mc’Carthy. J, B, R.H.A.);
Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type, bronze (P.C. Michael Mc.Carthy, Catterick, 13th. Decr. 1906.)

Provenance: Sotheby’s, 1989.

Society for the Protection of Life from Fire case no. 15.097: ‘On 13 December 1906, three men were saved from a fire at “The Angel”, Catterick, Yorkshire, caused by a spark from a grate.’

Michael McCarthy was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, in 1876, and attested for the Royal Artillery in his home town on 15 January 1895. Transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery as Gunner 23 December 1895, he served in India with “M” and “J” Batteries between 1896 and 1900. Sent on a butchering course at Bangalore in August 1899, he later fought in South Africa during the Boer War from 11 January 1900 to 22 August 1901. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 1 April 1902, he was finally discharged on 14 January 1907, after 12 years’ service.

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QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (79956 Gnr: H. Burgess, G Bty., R.H.A.)

Henry Burgess was born in Islington in 1872 and attested for the Royal Artillery at Dover on 16 July 1890. Initially posted to India for 6 years, he served in South Africa from 28 October 1899 to 5 June 1900 and is confirmed as present at the Relief of Kimberley when 6,000 horses of the Cavalry Division under General French charged straight for the Boer positions, causing the enemy to flee in disarray.

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QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4728 Dvr: F. Taylor No:2. Local Ammn: Col: R.H.A.) polished to high relief

Fred Taylor was born in Bury, Lancashire, around 1882, and enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery at Manchester on 16 February 1900. Sent to depot at Woolwich, his Army Service Record states that he deserted on 23 July 1900; returned to his unit a month later, he was tried and imprisoned with hard labour for 28 days by the C.O. of “A” Depot Battery. Released and posted to “X” Battery on 26 October 1900, Taylor served six further terms of imprisonment ranging from 2 to 14 days before being sent overseas to South Africa from 19 June 1901 to 4 April 1902. He survived the Boer War, but continued to fall foul of his superiors; imprisoned in March 1903 for 14 days and further convicted of a crime in May 1903 - for which he received his longest term of incarceration of 112 days - the Army finally grew weary of his behaviour and discharged Taylor as ‘incorrigible and worthless’ on 20 June 1903. The medal roll notes that he forfeited his QSA Medal at the time but that it was later restored under Army Order No. 353 of 1915.

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 180. Total GBP 232. R 5,040. AUD 440. NZD 480. CAD 400. USD 290. EUR 270.

Pictures courtesy of Charterhouse Auctioneers

Delhi Durbar 19011 unnamed;
QSA (1) CC (Major J B H Askwith RHA)

War Service, 1905, states: S. African War, 1699-1900.—Queen's medal with clasp.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (51535 B.S. Major E. C. Tackley, R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (51535 B.S. Major E. C. Tackley, R.F.A.);
British War and Victory Medals (Capt. E. C. Tackley);
Defence and War Medals 1939-45;
Coronation 1911;
Army LS&GC Ed VII (51535 Bty. Sjt. Maj. E. C. Tackley, R.F.A.);
Army MSM GVI, 1st issue (51535 W.O. Cl. 1 E. C. Tackley, R.A.)

Ernest Charles Tackley was born in Woolwich, Kent on 24 May 1869 and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in Newcastle in November 1885, aged 16 years.

Having then served in India from September 1890 until November 1896, he was embarked for South Africa as a Battery Sergeant-Major in 9th Battery, R.F.A. in November 1899. He saw action in the relief of Kimberley operations and at Paardeberg, Driefontein and Johannesburg; he was at one time attached to 6th Divisional Ammunition Columns, RFA.

As also verified by his service record, Tackley was subsequently awarded the Coronation Medal in 1911, followed by the LS&GC in October 1906, and he was discharged as a Warrant Officer 1 in May 1914. The advent of hostilities witnessed his appointment to a commission as a Temporary Lieutenant in the gunners and, having served in 13th Divisional Ammunition Column among other units, he resigned as a Captain in January 1919.

Awarded the MSM with annuity in September 1945, Tackley settled in Pewsey, Wiltshire where he died in September 1947.

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QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (8870 B.Q.M.Sgt. J. Egan, 87th Bty., R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (8870 B.QR:-MR:-Serjt: J. Egan. R.F.A.);
1914-15 Star (50444 B.S.Mjr. J.Egan. R.F.A.);
British War Medal (50444 A-W.O.CL.1. J.Egan. R.A.);
Victory Medal (50444 A.W.O.CL.1. J.Egan. R.A.);
MSM GVI (8870 W.O.CL.1. J. Egan. RA.);
Army LS&GC GV (50444 B.S.M. J.Egan. R.A.)

James Francis Egan was born in County Tipperary, Ireland around 1875 and enlisted at age twenty with the Royal Artillery at Clonmel on 13 March 1895, after working as a waiter. Egan spent the next eighteen years serving with the Colours. He was married at Waterloo, S.London, to Bridget Maker on 23 January 1903, with whom he had an impressive seven children between 1905 and 1914. Egan and his wife at some point moved to Liverpool, as their children were all born in the wider Liverpool area.

His original military records were apparently lost in South Africa, but Egan is recorded as having participated in the Boer War. He also served in India, arriving in Kamptee on 22 December 1911. Egan was discharged at Gosport on 20 April 1913 at his own request after 18 years of service, with a view to pension. He intended to reside at home on 10 Roman Street, Seaforth, Liverpool and found work as a postman.

Egan attested again for service with the Royal Field Artillery on 2 September 1914 after the onset of World War I and was immediately promoted Battery Sergeant Major. He was posted to France with his Regiment on 12 July 1915, where he was advanced Warrant Officer Class II later that year on 28 January 1915. Egan was then appointed temporary Warrant Officer Class I and Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 8 April 1916 ahead of returning to England on 2 October 1916.

He was discharged on 11 December 1917 due to being physically unfit for service, and was issued with Silver War Badge (284924).