TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith (3370 Pte. B. Feeney, 1st Connaught Rang:)

Also entitled to the SA01 clasp.

Bernard Feeney, a native of Dublin, was born in 1870 and joined the Connaught Rangers on 15 January 1889. Serving the Relief of Ladysmith campaign he was wounded 23 February 1900 at Hart's Hill.

Feeney was discharged on 14 January 1902.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

SAGS (1) 1877-8-9 (1275 Corpl. M. J. Kenny. 88th. Foot.);
QSA (6) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, last clasp a tailor’s copy (Qr. Mr. M. J. Kenny. 1st. Connaught Rang:.

Together with the related miniature awards, the clasps on the QSA mounted in the order TH, RoL, T, OFS, CC, SA01, the miniatures mounted as worn.

Michael James Kenny was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1856, the son of Sergeant Major Peter Kenny, 11th Foot, and attested for the 88th Regiment of Foot on 2 April 1877. He served with the Regiment in South Africa from 17 June 1877 to 2 October 1879, and took part in both the Kaffir and Zulu Wars. Proceeding to India on 3 October 1879, where he was stationed until 5 November 1890, he was advanced Warrant Officer on 25 December 1889, and saw further service in Aden from 6 November 1890 to 15 December 1891.

Kenny was commissioned Quartermaster on 11 March 1896, and served in South Africa during the Beor War from 11 November 1899 to 2 Mach 1901, being present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; the actions at Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz; the operations at Tugela Heights and the action at Pieters Hill; and operations in the Orange Free State, in the Transvaal, and in the Cape Colony.

Returning to the U.K. on 3 March 1901, Kenny’s final appointment was as Quartermaster at the School of Training for Mounted Infantry at Aldershot from 10 December 1901 to 10 December 1906.

Sold with the recipient’s original Army Form B199 Record of Service; and a copy of the programme of the Connaught Rangers Old Comrades’ Association Seventh Annual Dinner, 4 June 1932.

The pair to QM Kenny sold for a hammer price of £2,400. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £3,091. R58,000. Au$5,270. Can$4,640. US$3,630

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (4549 Sergt. W. Lanchester. Conn. Rang.);
British War Medal (4549 W.O. Cl.II. W. Lanchester. Conn. Rang.);
Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued;
Army LS&GV GV, 2nd issue with fixed suspension (7143005 W.O. Cl. II. W. Lanchester. Conn. Rang.) all somewhat later issues named in the same style, the QSA with fixed suspension, minor edge bruising

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (6443 Pte G. Jones. 1st Connaught Rang:);
KSA (2) (6443 Pte G. Jones. Con: Rang:);
IGS 1908 (1) North West Frontier 1908 (34906 Gunr G Jones 18th By R.F.A.)

Spink state 'light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise toned very fine'. The QSA would suggest otherwise?

Spink say George Jones was born in 1881. Confirmed on roll for the Queen's South Africa and King's South Africa Medals, both have the note "Records trace 15/6/45". He transferred to the Royal Artillery in March 1904. His entry for the India General Service Medal states "Transferred to Home Establishment". Seeing some Great War service he was posted at Home with the 78th Battery. It is uncertain if Jones was entitled to any medals although a letter written by him to the War Office in 1920 requesting they be sent to him suggests he believed himself to be.

An odd way to mount a KSA.


Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (6127 Pte. C. Feeney. 1st Connaught Rang:);
KSA (2) (6127 Pte. C. Feeney. Conn: Rang:)

Charles Feeney was born at Cloonacool, Tubbercurry, Sligo in 1897 and was a labourer by trade upon his joining the Connaught Rangers at Sligo on 28 June 1897. He served with his unit during the Boer War and was wounded on 23 February 1900 at Hart's Hill.

In the attack on Hart's Hill the assault was delivered by the Inniskillings, the Rangers, and part of the Dublins. That day the Battalion lost 7 Officers wounded, 19 men killed and over 100 wounded. Four officers were 'mentioned' in General Buller's despatch of 30 March 1900, and 3 men were recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Feeney was clearly a troubled character, perhaps some effects of his wounds suffered in action for his conduct was far below par. He was tried on several occasions and was eventually discharged with ignominy in November 1903, a notation being made that his Medals should be forfeited.