The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

Four: Captain (Quartermaster) W. Tarpey, Manchester Regiment

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between second and third clasps, and with top retaining rod (1576 Cr: Serjt: W. Tarpey. Manchester Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. W. Tarpey.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (C. Sjt. W. Tarpey. Manch. R.) suspension claw re-pinned on QSA with traces of solder repair, edge bruise, polished and worn, this fair; the rest good very fine (4) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

View
Collection

William Tarpey was born at Bilston, Staffordshire, in 1869 and attested for service in the North Staffordshire Regiment, at Lichfield, on 13 July 1886, declaring prior service with 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He very shortly thereafter transferred to 1st Battalion the Manchester Regiment, serving in Ireland. He was promoted Corporal in July 1892 and to Sergeant in February 1895. In 1896 he was posted to the staff of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment at the depot at Ashton Under Lyne. He was mobilised for service with 5th (Militia) Battalion which arrived at Cape Town on 10 July 1901, and was ordered to Winburg to take over town defences and to act as railway guards. The battalion returned to the U.K. in July 1902, and he was posted as Colour Sergeant Instructor to the 5th Volunteer Battalion. He was discharged to pension on 12 July 1907, and was awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 242 of 1907.

On the outbreak of the Great War, Tarpey volunteered for home service and was posted as a Private to the 8th (Ardwick) Territorial Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, despite being 44 years of age. He was swiftly promoted to Musketry Instructor and Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant. He was appointed Honorary Lieutenant and Quarter Master on 3 July 1915 and in 1917 went to France to join the 9th (Ashton Under Lyne) Battalion in the trenches at Havrincourt Wood. In early 1918 he was appointed as the Quarter Master to the whole of the 66th Division, and on 4 July 1918 was promoted Captain. Following the Great War he resigned his commission and was permitted to retain his rank. He was awarded the M.S.M. per Army Order 122 of 1933 and died at Manchester in 1938.

Sold with copied service papers and extensive copied research.