TOPIC:

I think you are right Mike, I don't think he would have got the medal also.
I am not even certain this is the right Soldier. More research required. I have only found 3 Leonard's pertaining to the Dublins. Perhaps our fellow forum ers can help us out?It would be interesting to find out what happened to him.

Dave

Berenice, Dave, Mike
I did a trawl through the 2nd "Dubs" medal roll last night just on the chance. In the past, I have very occasionally seen the marginal note "DESERTED" against a name (or "NO MEDAL") - but none of the "J.Leonards" on that roll were so endorsed.
A thought here. Assuming that the newspaper article in the Cornishman was accurate in certain respects, our "J. Leonard" may not have served at all with the British army during the ABW. The 2nd "Dubs" was stationed in Natal in 1897 and the initial post says that he deserted and worked in the mines when he was taken up by the Boers. If our "J. Leonard" deserted pre-war, he would not have been on the medal rolls.
There could be personal papers somewhere?
Regards
IL.


IL.

Thanks, IL, good thinking.

I have a further question - who recognised him at St Helena? Did the RDF see duty there while Leonard was also there, and someone who'd known him pre-desertion saw him?

Berenice
I am pretty sure that the regiments guarding the prisoners on St. Helena were Militia and entitled to the QSA medal without clasp. It is not beyond possibility that a member of the 2nd "Dubs" (officer or enlisted man) was transferred to a militia unit on St. Helena and recognised "J.Leonard" as a deserter. As Mike says, the army has a long memory. The chain of reporting would lead to charges which would have to be backed up by proof (or, indeed, admissions by the accused) or both - at a Court Martial. Which would lead to sentencing and all that followed.
Best regards
IL.