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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.

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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.