Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith (9516 Pte. S. Murphy. K.R.R.C.) extremely fine £240-280

Samuel Murphy was born in St. Helen’s, Lancashire, c.1875, and attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in September 1896. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, and was present at the Battle of Talana Hill, 20 October 1899, and took part in the Defence of Ladysmith, 3 November 1899 to 28 February 1900. He received a gunshot wound to his right hand during the siege of Ladysmith, which subsequently led to his right index finger being amputated (pension application records refer), and he was invalided home on 6 July 1900. He was discharged at Cork on 12 August 1901, after 4 years and 11 months’ service.

Sold with copied medal roll extract and other research.