Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Acting Bombardier M. McCarthy, Royal Horse Artillery

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between fifth and sixth clasps (7994 A.Bomb M. Mc’Carthy. J, B, R.H.A.); Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type, bronze (P.C. Michael Mc.Carthy, Catterick, 13th. Decr. 1906.) mounted with top riband buckles, the second in original John Pinches fitted case of issue, very fine and better (2) £300-£400

Sotheby’s, 1989.

Society for the Protection of Life from Fire case no. 15.097: ‘On 13 December 1906, three men were saved from a fire at “The Angel”, Catterick, Yorkshire, caused by a spark from a grate.’

Michael McCarthy was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, in 1876, and attested for the Royal Artillery in his home town on 15 January 1895. Transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery as Gunner 23 December 1895, he served in India with “M” and “J” Batteries between 1896 and 1900. Sent on a butchering course at Bangalore in August 1899, he later fought in South Africa during the Boer War from 11 January 1900 to 22 August 1901. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 1 April 1902, he was finally discharged on 14 January 1907, after 12 years’ service.

Sold with copied army service record and original catalogue entry.