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We have not seen this group since 2016. Is is now for sale on eBay for £800.


Picture courtesy of eBay

Described as:

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (3894 Pte H. Leonard, I:Leic:Regt);
KSA (2) (3894 Pte H. Leonard. Leicester: Regt);
1914-15 Star (Se. 10921 Pte. H. Leonard, A.V.C.);
British War and Victory Medals (Se-10921 Pte. H. Leonard. A.V.C)

Henry Leonard was born at Findern, Northamptonshire in 1875 the son of Thomas and Sarah Leonard. Enlisting on 13 October 1893 with the 2nd Battalion, Leicester Regiment he transferred to the 1st Battalion on 2 January 1896. Posted to South Africa with this unit on 8 January 1896 Leonard served through the Battle of Talana and the Defence of Ladysmith. The Battalion was present for the Battle of Belfast and served throughout the Guerrilla phase of the war. Leonard was transferred to the Depot on 18 August 1902 and posted back to Britain later that year on 13 September. Discharged to the Reserve he served with D Section of the Reserve Battalion from 9 October 1905-9 October 1909 when his period of engagement ended.

Having found work as a Labourer he re-attested for the Army Veterinary Corps on 21 July 1915. Leonard joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 12 September 1915, serving with them until 27 December when he returned to Britain for several months. Leaving Britain for France again on 20 March 1916 he remained there for the duration of the war being placed on furlough between 18 August-1 September 1918. Leonard was discharged on 13 May 1919

Picture courtesy of eNay

QSA (4) TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL (4428 Pte. J. REILLY. RL : IRISH FUS:)
[ KSA (2) ]

Last seen at Medals.me in 2011.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith (3051 Sejt A. Clarke, I: Leic: Regt)

Alfred Clarke was born in 1873 at Aylestone Leicester, the son of Joseph and Mary Clarke. He enlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment in 1891 having worked previously as a Groom and served with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Posted to 1st Battalion with the rank of Lance-Corporal, Clarke joined them in India on 17 July 1893, being promoted Corporal while serving here on 10 February 1895. At the end of the year the Battalion was reposted to South Africa (23 December 1895) in response to increasing tension with the Boer Republics. Clarke was advanced Acting Sergeant on 5 February 1898 and confirmed Sergeant on 17 July that same year. Transferred to the Regimental Depot on 4 August 1900 he arrived in the country on the 28 August and remained in until 14 February 1901 when he joined 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in Egypt. Returning home on 15 December 1902 he was discharged on 16 June 1903.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith (3465 Pte J. Joyce, I: Leic: Regt)

James Joyce was born in 1871 at Birmingham. He worked as a Shoemaker prior to enlistment with the Leicestershire Regiment on 26 July 1892. Posted to Jamaica 17 January 1894, it was here he developed the tendencies which saw him in much trouble over the coming years: Joyce was first imprisoned on 20 April by his C.O. Released on 3 May he was confined again on 3 July the following year for 'offering violence'. Released on 12 July 1895 and posted to South Africa on 22 December, the change of scene didn't prevent further breaches of discipline and Joyce was soon imprisoned again for 'breaking out of barracks' on 3 August 1898: he remained there for 42 days before returning to duty on 14 September 1896. After this he kept in line for a while, taking part in the Second Boer War and seeing action at Talana and during the Siege of Ladysmith. Being transferred to the Depot on 27 August 1900 he returned to Britain. However it appears he did not like his new role; Joyce was posted absent without leave from 4-25 February 1901 and the next month he deserted (30 March). Captured on 7 May at Birmingham he was tried on 21 May and imprisoned on 29 May. Joyce was not in prison for long, released on 15 July he was soon invalided from the service on 21 October 1901

The two Talana QSAs sold yesterday at Spink.

Sgt Clarke sold for a hammer price of £380. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £471. R9,400. Au$870. Can$780. US$610

Pte Joyve sold for a hammer price of £450. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £558. R11,200. Au$1,030. Can$920. US$720

The medals to Driver Thomas Gillis, 69th RFA, courtesy of his great granddaughter, Louise.



This was him in c 1936



And shortly before his death in 1948



Louise says he joined the NWMP in 1902 in Canada and in 1906 joined the US Army In San Francisco, being involved in the Cuban War.

His medals were replaced in 1902. The roll (WO100/142p206) indicates QSA (6) Tal DoL OFS Tr LN SA01



Intriguingly, a QSA (5) excluding SA01 was sold by Glendining in September Sep 1972.

My grateful thanks to Louise for sharing these images with us.