PRIVATE R. DOYLE, 5TH BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS (DUBLIN COUNTY MILITIA), ATTACHED 2ND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal

PRIVATE R. DOYLE, 5TH BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS (DUBLIN COUNTY MILITIA), ATTACHED 2ND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (officially impressed: 2204 Pte. J. DOYLE RL. DUBLIN FUS:). Note incorrect initial in naming. Ghost dates clearly visible on reverse, attractively toned, Extremely Fine.

A scarce 5 clasp QSA to the Dublin County Militia, only 80 medals being awarded to the battalion. Although the 5th Dublins sailed for South Africa as a unit, once in South Africa the battalion was broken up, with the majority of the detachments employed in guard duty, escorting convoys and protecting the railway lines in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, with the majority of men receiving only one or more of the clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Wittebergen, and only 80 men from the Battalion seeing service attached to the 2nd Dublins with the Natal Field Force and qualifying for one or more of the Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith clasps.

Medal accompanied by 3 pages copied militia service papers and extracts from medal rolls confirming medal and clasps and that Private Doyle was also entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal with 2 clasps. Medal rolls record approximately 80 men from the 5th Dublins seeing service in South Africa attached to the 2nd Battalion (3 Sergeants and 77 Privates).

Although medal and medal rolls give Doyle’s initial as “J”, his service papers give his christian name as Robert (same regimental number “2204” on medal, medal rolls and in service papers).

Robert Doyle was born in the parish of St Nicholas, Dublin. He enlisted into the 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Dublin on 17/2/1891. At the time of enlistment he was 17 years and 9 months old and gave his trade as that of porter. He was posted 2204 Private, 5th Battalion, on 17/2/1891 and was posted for active service with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 5/12/1899 following the outbreak of the Boer War. Doyle was discharged on 16/2/1902, on termination of his term of engagement, never having risen above the rank of Private. In addition to service at home, Doyle saw service in South Africa from 29/12/1899 to 16/2/1902.