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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Talana, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (5236 Pte. P. Collins, Rl. Dublin Fus:);
[ KSA (2) ]

Spink December 1980 £125

QSA: WO100/209p99. KSA: WO100/347p293

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Talana (4444 Pte. P. Cregan, Rl. Dublin Fus:)

Patrick Cregan was born in Dublin in 1873. A labourer, he attested for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 1 July 1892 and served for over three years in India from 9 February 1894. It was here that he was awarded his Certificate for Transport Duties, dated 7 September 1896. Transferred to South Africa on 18 May 1897, he was passed for Corporal on 8 March 1898 and witnessed service during the Boer War as part of the Natal Field Force. The official casualty roll records Cregan wounded in action whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion at Dundee on 20 October 1899. Invalided 26 March 1900.

Picture courtesy of the London Medal Company

QSA (2) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith; (4100 PTE. M. REILLY. RL. IRISH. FUS.)

Michael Reilly was born in Clones, County Monaghan and attested at Caran on 23rd February 1892 and attested to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, serving as a Private throughout his military career he would transfer to the 1st Battalion 20th February 1898 and would see service with them in South Africa during the Boer War where he would be present in action at the Battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, before being present during the Defence of Ladysmith between 3rd November 1899 and 28th February 1900.

He would return to the UK on 30th December 1900 and would be posted to the Provisional Battalion. On 17th October 1902 he would be posted back to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers before being discharged on the termination of his first period of engagement on 22nd February 1904.

£650. DNW December 2003 £260. Dixon May 2004 £365.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3866 Pte M. Malone, Rl. Irish Fus:), pawnbroker's mark to obverse;
[ KSA (2) ]

Michael Malone was born at Kilmanon, Armagh, Ireland in 1874 and worked as a Tin Smith prior to enlisting on 30 April 1891 when he was still only 17. Upon achieving his majority he was posted to the 2nd Battalion where he served until being transferred to 1st Battalion in the East Indies on 3 September 1894. He remained there until 1897 when the Battalion moved to Egypt where they remained until 1899.

At this stage tensions between the British and the Boer Republics led to a build up in Imperial troops in Natal. The Royal Irish Fusiliers found themselves joining this force in September 1899, being stationed with General Penn Symons Army at Talana.

They were present for the Battle fought there on 20 October 1899 forming the centre of the British line as it advanced up the hill. Despite heavy fire and being targeted by their own artillery they managed to force the Boers from the hill. After the pyrrhic victory the British withdrew, the bulk of the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved south of Ladysmith and only two companies remained with the Garrison.

Malone was with one of these companies which garrisoned 'Red Hill' and 'Range Post' during the Siege. Upon relief they joined the British columns hunting the Boer Commandos and garrisoning strategic areas. Returning to Britain on 17 October 1902 Malone served for another year before being discharged on 16 October 1903.

QSA Liverpool Medals, June 1983 £90

Making a stark comparison with the price of the similar QSA offered by the LMC, the QSA to Private Malone sold for a hammer price of GBP 380. Totals: GBP 471. R 10,890. AUD 880. NZD 950. CAD 780. USD 580. EUR 530

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (16126 Gnr: T. Frost, 69: B. R.F.A.)

Gunner Frost died of disease at Vryheid on 27 September 1900.