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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 64

The Queen's South Africa Medal awarded to Private S. McCarthy, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed in action at Talana Hill

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Talana (7296 Pte. S. McCarthy. K.R.R.C.), light contact marks, very fine

S. McCarthy served with the King's Royal Rifle Brigade for some time prior to his death, earning an India General Service Medal with clasp for the Relief of Chitral in 1895. Having served in India he joined the 1st Battalion in their move to South Africa, quite possibly being a member of the wing of the Regiment that was wrecked with the Warren Hastings.

Regardless, the Battalion was one of those caught in the open in the early hours of 20 October 1899 by Boer artillery emplaced on Talana Hill during the night. British artillery was brought forward to engage the Boer guns and the infantry formed into close ranks and stormed the Hill. Their formation resulted in high casualties but the troops pressed forward, led by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers with the King's Royal Rifle Corps behind them. General Penn Symons was killed whilst inspecting the advance but despite this the British made the summit and drove the Boers off.

MCarthy was killed during the attack; one of 51 men in the British force to die directly in the action. This number included his commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Gunning.

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Estimate
£500 to £700

Starting price
£400