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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 2 months 4 days ago #100544

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Hi Meurig, Regimental Records of the Connaught Rangers Boer War 1899-1902, Page 44, showing NCOs & Men wounded at Harts Hill.
Thank you both for your insights, David much appreciated. Regards Mark
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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 2 months 4 days ago #100546

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Mark, many thanks for inspiring me to search the internet for the publication you mentioned - now downloaded as a PDF. I note it was only uploaded to the Internet Archive last year which is presumably why I missed it when I was investigating in late 2023 "my" Smethwickian (4641 John Grimstone) who served in the 1st Connaught Rangers. He does not get a mention but as far as I am aware he was never wounded, missing etc. He was a Reservist and in his previous service he was demoted from Lance-Sergeant to the ranks for "drunkeness on duty" - I think he may have been drowning his sorrows regarding the death of one of his children. Whilst in S Africa he regained his previous rank. Regards, David.
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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 2 months 2 days ago #100565

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Sold today at Aubrey's Auctions, Guildford - £380 plus commission.

MIA Ladysmith / Prisoner of War. A Boer War QSA Queen’s South Africa medal, awarded to 1291 Private J. Morgan, 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers, with 5 clasps Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (1291 Pte. J Morgan, 1st Connaught Rang:).
Note: Private Morgan was listed as missing in action at Ladysmith 23rd February 1900, subsequently made Prisoner of War.

* Morgan shown as 1296 on the Roll, 1291 Pte P O'Hare from Athlone*
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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 1 month 1 week ago #100858

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Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (3439 Pte J. Boland, 1st Connaught Rang:)

QSA listed on WO100/205p258. Says invalided. SA01 listed on 205p362.
Dr David Biggins
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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 1 month 1 week ago #100859

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Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major. H. W. Anderson, 1st Connaught Rang:),

Captain and Honorary Major H W Anderson was appointed Instructor of Musketry with the 3rd Battalion, Connaught Rangers on 7 December 1898, and was seconded for service with the 1st Battalion during the Boer War on 23 May 1900, joining his new unit at Wonderboom. He was granted the Honorary rank of Major on 12 September 1900, and appears to have spent a period of time in hospital during active service (cause unknown). After the war, his tenure as Instructor of Musketry expired on 21 January 1903, and he was removed from the Reserve of Officers on 14 December 1904 owing to ill-health.

QSA (3) listed on WO100/205p251. SA01 on WO100/204p357.
Dr David Biggins
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Medals to the Connaught Rangers 1 month 1 week ago #100865

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Putting a word or two in for the Rank & File which Morton & Eden seem to have failed to do.

3439 Private John Boland born in Ballyragget, County Kilkenny.

There is a transcription record on FMyP which says he was wounded on 23/02/1900 at Hart's Hill.

This site has the following record for him: 1st Btn Connaught Rangers. Wounded at Ladysmith. 23 Feb 1900. Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 183 line 21

His military paperwork has survived and there is quite a lot of it.

Attested 14/02/1889 and gave his age as 22 years 1 month which would make him born very late 1867 or very early 1868. He admitted to a criminal record having being imprisoned once for assault.

Served in Malta & Egypt. Whilst abroad he had 3 sessions in clink totalling 58 days - the first for offering violence to an officer, the others offence not given.

Discharged to AR in 1897 but recalled 07/10/1899 and joined his unit 2 days later.

South Africa service dates: 10/11/1899 to 15/10/1900 (based on this he would not have qualified for the SA1901 clasp).

Fully discharged from army on 13/02/1902 when his character and conduct with the Colours was assessed as "BAD".

Attested for service in the Great War on 16/10/1915 and was assigned to Army Ordnance Corps. Gave his age as 44 years. Assuming he was right the first time he would actually have been 48. You might be expecting he spent the GW on home service - not so.

05/06/1916 he set sail for Egypt.
October 1916 he moved on to Mesopotamia.
September 1917 he moved on again to India.
He began his journey home in February 1918 and it took 54 days to complete.

After a further 3 months of home service he was discharged on 20/07/1918 by when he was probably over 50.

In total he spent the best part of 15 years in the British Army. He was of the Roman Catholic faith.
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