TOPIC:

I haven't been able to find much about this man.


....One Boer war prisoner still remains in gaol in Ireland.
....Private J. Leonard, late of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was sentenced to penal servitude for life for deserting during the South African War and for fighting in the Boer ranks. He is at present in Kilkenny Gaol.
....In reply to a petition to the Duke of Connaught on his behalf from the Mayor, Corporation, and citizens of Kilkenny a communication has been received from the War Office stating that if the convict's conduct continues good the subject of his release will be considered in October next, when he will have completed three years of his sentence.
Manchester Courier, Friday 21st April 1905



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....Private Leonard, who was sentenced to death during the Boer war for treason and desertion, and afterwards had his sentence commuted to penal servitude for life, was released from Maryborough Gaol on Saturday morning.
....Leonard deserted from the ranks of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and while working in the mines in South Africa he was commandeered by the Boers. He was captured with Cronje and sent to St. Helena.
....There he was recognised at a football match played between the prisoners and the garrison and arrested.
The Cornishman, Thursday 2nd November 1905

Maryborough Gaol is now called Portlaoise Prison.

Hi Berenice
I wonder if this is your man before he deserted?

Name: J Leonard (Joseph)
Casualty Type: Wounded
Casualty Date: 20 Oct 1899
Casualty Place: Glencoe (Talana)
Rank: Private
Force: Natal Field Force
Regiment: Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Battalion: 2nd
Number: 4700

Also mentioned for QSA with Talana Clasp
I could only find 2 J Leonards mentioned regarding 2nd battalion the above and J. Leonard 6737 invalided June 1900
there is another under 2nd battalion but when paper work is viewed it states 1st battalion. J Leonard 6928.

regards

Dave

So he may have been Joseph Leonard, of Kilkenny.

If he was a deserter, would he still have received a QSA?

Hi Berenice.....

I have a QSA, WW1 Pair to a Boer War deserter..... He applied for his QSA after WW1 and it was issued to him WW1 style naming and Non=Swivel suspension.....

Having fought with the Boers I an not sure that he may have not gotten a medal, the Army has a long memory.....

Mike

BereniceUK wrote: So he may have been Joseph Leonard, of Kilkenny.

If he was a deserter, would he still have received a QSA?

I would be very suprised if he received his medal for his desertion to the Boer forces.
He may have been recorded as being entitled to the medal and Talana clasp. But like Mike stated ,very doubtful he would be allowed to collect it due to his treason.
I have checked Ancestry, and of the 190 J Leonards on the medal roll, there is no mention of 4700 J Leonard . The other 2 I mentioned are recorded.

Dave F wrote:

BereniceUK wrote: So he may have been Joseph Leonard, of Kilkenny.

If he was a deserter, would he still have received a QSA?

I would think he wouldn't receive his medal for his desertion to the Boer forces.
He may have been recorded as being entitled to the medal and Talana clasp. But like Mike stated very doubtful he would be allowed to collect it due to his treason.
I have checked Ancestry, and of the 190 J Leonards on the medal roll, there is no mention of 4700 J Leonard . The other 2 I mentioned are recorded.

Miss understanding here I think...... IMO I do not think he would have gotten a medal as the Army had a long memory if he tried to apply for one and also being convicted of desertion and treason......

Mike