Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Q.S.A. awarded to Private W. Sweeney, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, awarded the D.C.M.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Belfast (3421 Pte W. Sweeney, Rl. Irish Regt.) edge bruising and contact marks, good fine £150-200

William Sweeney was born in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Clonmel on 9 December 1889, aged 19 years. With the 2nd Battalion he served in India, February 1891-January 1898, after which he was transferred to the Reserve. Whilst on the Reserve he was convicted by the Civil Powers.

Recalled to the Colours in December 1899, he later re-engaged and served in South Africa, December 1899-March 1902 and in India, March 1902-March 1903 and January 1905 - December 1908. For his services in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette 29 September 1901) and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901).

In the Great War, Sergeant William Sweeney, Royal Irish Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 15 January 1915. Post-war he lived at ‘6 East Lane, Clonmel, Tipperary’.

He was awarded the D.C.M.; India General Service 1895 with clasps for Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Samana 1897; the above Q.S.A. and the 1914-15 Star trio. His British War and Victory Medals were replaced in 1923.