THE QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE T. DOYLE, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUS

THE QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE T. DOYLE, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS, WHO RE-ENLISTED DURING WW1 AND SAW SERVICE BRIEFLY WITH THE 7TH BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. Queen’s South Africa Medal, 2 clasps, Talana, Relief of Ladysmith (officially impressed: 5620 Pte. T. DOYLE, RL. DUBLIN FUS:). Almost Extremely Fine.

Medal accompanied by 6 pages of copied service papers, copied medal roll confirming QSA Medal with 2 clasps only, and copied 2 page letter confirming that Doyle saw service with the 7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers during WW1.

Thomas Doyle was born in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. He enlisted into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Naas on 31/12/1895. At the time of enlistment he was 20 years old, gave his trade as that of labourer and confirmed that the was then serving with the 3rd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (Kildare Militia). Medal roll confirms that Private Doyle was invalided in March 1900. Doyle never rose above the rank of Private, transferred to the Army Reserve on 30/12/1902 and was discharged on 30/12/1907, after 12 years service with the colours. Boer War service papers give his next of kin as his younger brother, Edward Doyle, serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, along with another brother, William, living in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. In addition to service at home and in South Africa, Doyle also saw service in India.

Medal also accompanied by 2 page letter giving brief details of Doyle’s military service confirming service in South Africa during the Boer War and that he re-enlisted following the outbreak of WW1 in late August or early September 1914 and saw service as a waiter in the officer’s mess of the 7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers at the Curragh Camp, but was “temporarily” discharged suffering from rheumatism.