Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (1029 Pte. G. Fitzgerald, 1-24th Foot) edge bruise, otherwise very fine £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kuriheka Collection of British Medals.

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Garrett Fitzgerald was born in the Parish of Stanshandon, Cork, and enlisted into the 24th Foot, from the Cork City Artillery Militia, on 26 July 1865 for ten years, a butcher by trade, aged 20 years. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Kaffir War of 1877-78, having re-engaged at Gibraltar in 1873 to complete 21 years. His conduct prior to his service in the South African campaign was continually marred by periods of imprisonment for drunkenness and absence, but improved thereafter with promotion to Corporal in January 1880, to Sergeant in August 1880, and to Colour-Sergeant in January 1882, though it is fair to say that there were numerous vacancies in the regiment after the disaster at Isandhlwana. He was finally discharged as a Colour-Sergeant on 10 February 1885, having been found medically unfit for further service. Sold with copy discharge papers.