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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

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.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

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.