PRIVATE W. DILLON, 1/24TH FOOT (1ST BATTALION SOUTH WALES BORDERERS). South Africa Medal 1

PRIVATE W. DILLON, 1/24TH FOOT (1ST BATTALION SOUTH WALES BORDERERS). South Africa Medal 1877-79, one clasp, 1877-78 (officially engraved in serifed capitals: 72 Pte. W. DILLON. 1/24TH. FOOT.). Good Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by 6 pages of copied service papers and copied medal roll, confirming medal and clasp.

William Dillon was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. He enlisted into the 24th Foot at Mullingar on 20/1/1857. At the time of enlistent he was 18 years of age and gave his trade as brass turner. Dillon never rose above the rank of Private and was discharged from the 24th Foot on 4/6/1878 on expiry on his second period of limited engagement. At the time of discharge, Dillon’s conduct whilst with the colours was described as having been “very good”. He gave his intended place of residence as Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope. In addition to service in South Africa, Dillon saw service in India and the Mediterranean.

155 1877-8 clasps to the 1/24th Foot and another 51 to teh 2/24th Foot.

Dillon had a lucky escape, being discharged on 4/6/1878, just six months prior to the Battle of Isandhlwana, 22/1/1879, when the majority of the officers and men of Dillon’s former battalion were killed in action.