Three: Private Timothy James Cleary, 2nd South African Infantry, late South African Constabulary, killed in action, Delville Wood, 18 July 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1490 1st Cl. Tpr., S.A.C.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte., 2nd S.A.I.); Memorial Plaque (Timothy James Cleary) medals nearly extremely fine (10)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards.

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Private Timothy James Cleary was born in Chatham, Kent. A Saddler by occupation, he attested for one years service with the Royal Artillery on 25 January 1900, aged 20 years. After serving in England he was discharged at the termination of his period of service on 25 January 1901. He then saw service in the Boer War as a Trooper with the South African Constabulary. As a member of the Police, he attested for service with the 2nd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 14 December 1915. With the 2nd S.A.I. he entered France on 22 May 1916 and was killed in action at Delville Wood on 18 July 1916, aged 37 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of the late Major T. Cleary, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

Sold with named damaged card medal boxes; named Commemorative Scroll; S.A.C. cap badge; ‘Union is Strength’ pin-backed badges (3) - one enamelled; a framed photograph of the recipient taken from a newspaper, wearing his Q.S.A., with the announcement, ‘The Late Pte. T. J. Cleary, of the South African Overseas Contingent, ex-Corpl. Bloemfontein District, S.A.P. Missing since Delville Wood; death now accepted’. Also with a Medico-Psychological Association Cross for Proficiency in Mental Nursing, named to ‘Ellen A. Cleary’. Together with copied service papers and research.