$1,090
India and Boer War group of three to Private T. Ireland, King’s Royal Rifle Corps
India General Service 1954-95, 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 officially named to: 4647 Pte.T. Ireland 1st Bn. K.R.Rif.C. Unofficial rivet between first and second clasps.
India General Service 1895-1908, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 officially named to: 4647 Pte.T. Ireland 1st Bn. K.R.Rifle.Corps.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast officially named to: 4647 Pte.T. Ireland, K.R.R.C.
Court mounted for wear, contact wear, nearly very fine.
Thomas Ireland was born at St. Pancras, London in 1870 and worked as a chimney sweep before attesting with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 21 August 1888, listing previous service with the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Posted to India on 25 November 1890, he was to see extensive service there particularly during the Samana expedition where they served with Colonel Slim’s No. 1 Column. Whilst undertaking their duties they were in on the action at Tsalai on 17 April 1891, storming several forts around the fortified village.
Still in India in 1895, Ireland took part in the Relief of Chitral expedition and was doubtless with his Battalion when they took part in the storming of the Malakand Pass. Whilst they were intended to provide a supporting role during the Battle they caught up with the frontline in the final engagement and charged the tribesmen alongside the Gordon Highlanders and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Leaving India on 29 April 1896, Ireland joined the Army Reserve not long after on 1 May 1896. He was re-mobilised on 13 November 1899 for service in the Anglo-Boer War, being posted to South Africa on 13 December 1899. It is unclear which unit he served with initially (likely the 3rd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps), however he was transferred to the 1st Battalion on 1 March 1900. Ireland was finally discharged on 20 August 1901; sold together with copied research.
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