A Boer War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Quarter-Master Sergeant B. F. Bruen, 5th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (1969 Q.M. Sjt. B. F. Bruen, 5th Rl. Dublin Fusrs.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-19023 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (1969 Q.M. Sgt., Rl. Dublin Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1969 Q.M. Sgt., Rl. Dublin Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1969 Q.M. Sgt., Rl. Dub. Fus.) contact marks, otherwise generally very fine (4) £1400-1600

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 September 1901.

Bartley Francis Bruen was born in 1865, in the Parish of Ardearne, near Boyle, County Roscommon, and joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Naas on 19 March 1885. He served with the 2nd Battalion at Home and in the East Indies until February 1892 when, having been promoted to Sergeant in May 1890, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion. He was promoted to Colour-Sergeant in November 1892 and transferred, in the same rank, to the 5th Battalion in December 1898, becoming Quarter-Master Sergeant in October 1899. He served with the 5th Battalion during the war in South Africa, from February 1900 until February 1902. During this time the battalion ‘rendered invaluable service, chiefly on the line of communications, which involved much harassing, dangerous but important duty, as upon the preservation of communications the efficiency of the fighting line depended.’

Bruen spent the remainder of his service at Home and received the L.S. & G.C. medal in October 1903, with a Gratuity of £5. He was finally discharged at Dublin on 18 June 1909. Sold with copy discharge papers.