Medals and awards
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was awarded to officers for meritorious or distinguished service in war. At the time of the Boer War it was given to officers with senior command responsibilities, typically upwards of Major, however it was bestowed upon junior officers, usually in cases of conspicuous valour. Prior to 1943, the order could be given only to someone who had already been Mentioned in Despatches. Approximately 1,167 DSOs were awarded in the Boer War.
Captain Henry Charles Carden
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Captain James Frederick Humby
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
22 August 1902
London Gazette, 4 November 1902
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was awarded to Warrant Officers, NCO's, and other ranks. It was a distinction second only to the Victoria Cross. There were 2,076 awards of the DCM for the Boer War.
Regimental Sergeant-Major Robert Thomas Manning 11295
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), attached Staff, 17th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Company Sergeant-Major William Kirk 11016
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast), 17th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Henry Crofts 11234
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Sergeant Richard John Cronin 15114
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Private John Wall 15212
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
29 November 1900
London Gazette, 27 September 1901
Sergeant Charles Founds 35193
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
22 August 1902
London Gazette, 31 October 1902
Mentioned in Despatches
Lord Roberts' Despatch, 4 September 1901 (a continuation of his 2 April 1901 Despatch)
Sergeant Frederick Healey 14247
45th (Dublin) Company, attached to Staff establishment 13th Battalion
Sergeant Richard John Cronin 15114
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Sergeant Henry Butler 15104
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Corporal Edwin Jervise 15154
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Corporal John Hendy 15143
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Private John Wall 15212
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Private Denis Robert Lahiff 15157
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Private Robert Copley 15108
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
Captain Robert Lyon Moore
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast), 17th Battalion
Captain Henry Charles Carden
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
Lieutenant Arthur J., Earl of Fingall
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
Regimental Sergeant-Major Robert T. Manning 11295
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), attached to Staff establishment 17th Battalion
Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Henry Crofts 11234
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
Company Sergeant-Major Willam Kirk 11016
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast), 17th Battalion
Sergeant Robert Osborne Young 11086
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast), 17th Battalion
Sergeant Walter Frederick Dyer Manico 11233
61st (South Irish Horse) Company (Dublin), 17th Battalion
Sergeant Francis White 11025
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast), 17th Battalion
General Pretyman's Special Despatch, 18 April 1901
Private John Wall 15212
74th (Dublin) Company, 16th Battalion
[When] near Jacobsdal March 28, being one of a patrol surrounded in a kraal by Boers, volunteered to break through to fetch assistance and did; swam the Modder, then in heavy flood, and meeting a patrol sent it to his comrades' assistance, whilst himself again swam river and got into Jacobsdal with the news. This is not the first time he has done a gallant deed.
Lord Kitchener's Despatch, 8 September 1901
Captain James Frederick Humby
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
For the able manner in which he extricated a convoy from a difficult situation near Griquatown, Cape Colony, on 24th August, 1901.
Two attacks have been made on our troops in the Kimberley district. ... The second attempt at Rooikopje on the 24th of [August], was an effort to capture a convoy which was making its way towards Griquatown. Upon this occasion, the escort which consisted of the 74th (Irish) Squadron, Imperial Yeomanry, under Captain Humby, behaved with great gallantry and determination. Though outnumbered by 400 Boers, who surrounded the convoy, and pressed to close quarters, our men held their ground and offered such a stubborn resistance, that at night the enemy abandoned the attack and withdrew. On the following day Captain Humby, who did not lose a single wagon, took his convoy safely into Griquatown, but his losses were extremely heavy. Nine men of the escort were killed, and 2 Officers and 21 men were wounded.
Lieutenant Charles Beauclerk Despard
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
For excellent work when extricating a convoy from a difficult situation near Griquatown, Cape Colony, on 24 August 1901. (See Captain Humby above.)
Lord Kitchener's Despatch, 8 December 1901
Lieutenant Edwin E. Dooley
46th (Belfast) Company (New), 12th Battalion
For good leading of squadron in Orange River Colony; several times wounded.
Lord Kitchener's final Despatch, 23 June 1902
Squadron Sergeant-Major John M. Bolton 33204
99th (Irish) Company, 8th Battalion
Sergeant Charles Founds 35193
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
Sergeant Thomas B. Fisher 23853
74th (Dublin) Company (New), 8th Battalion
Captain William Harland
46th (Belfast) Company (New), 12th Battalion
Sergeant James Darragh 22599
46th (Belfast) Company (New), 12th Battalion
Sergeant Robert Lormer 26205
60th (North Irish Horse) Company (Belfast) (New), 17th Battalion
Queen's South Africa Medal
The Queen's South Africa Medal was issued to all British and Colonial soldiers as well as ancillary support staff such as nurses. Some 450,000 to 500,000 QSAs were issued. Some 26 clasps were issued, the most usual for officer and men of the Irish Imperial Yeomanry companies being 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal' and 'Rhodesia'.
King's South Africa Medal
The King's South Africa Medal was issued to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the British, Indian, and Colonial forces, as well as ancillary and support staff, who served in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902 and completed 18 months' war service. Two clasps were awarded - 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902'. The KSA could not be awarded without the QSA.
Lieut.-General Sir George White VC presenting service medals to officers and men of the 46th, 54th and 60th Companies Imperial Yeomanry on 12 September 1901 at a military tournament at Balmoral, Belfast. (The Sketch, 25 September 1901)
Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal
Captain Alexander McDonnell Calwell
25th (Sharpshooters) Battalion (formerly Lieutenant in 60th (North Irish Horse) Company, 17th Battalion)
On the 30th March 1902, Trooper Currie [11098], of the same battalion, while watering his horse in the Wilge River, Orange River Colony, was swept away by the current, the river being in high flood. Captain Calwell, at great risk, plunged in from the bank and effected his rescue.
Some of the above information sourced from the excellent Anglo-Boer War site.
Londonderry Gold Medal
Presented to Londonderry members of the Imperial Yeomanry at a ceremony at Moore Park on 28 June 1901. The medal was accompanied by parchment scroll signed by the Mayor and hon. secretary, bearing the words:
"You have this day received from the hands of the Mayoress of Derry a golden badge as a lasting memory of your fellow-citizens' admiration of your courage, loyalty, and obedience to duty in the South African war. You voluntarily devoted your life to the service of your country, and it is by such deeds that the annals of a nation are enriched and heroes created. May the golden token and this parchment transmit the memory of your bravery to your remote descendants, and may God ever guide you and guard you."
Medals were presented to:
Captain Leo Moore - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company
Sergeant-Major William Grant Byron - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9397
Sergeant-Major William Kirk - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11016
Sergeant Whiteside - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11028
Sergeant George Goldney Moody - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9406
Farrier-Sergeant John E. Henderson - 54th (Belfast) Company - 9592
Farrier-Sergeant Robinson - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11039
Private John Henderson - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11027
Private Joseph Allen - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9373
Private Marshall Donnell - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9386
Private Joseph Campbell - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9402
Private Arnold Llewellyn Henry - 54th (Belfast) Company - 9589
Private Benjamin Johnston - 54th (Belfast) Company - 9554
Private John Thompson - 54th (Belfast) Company - 11123
Private Robert Burgess - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11008
Private J. Irwin
Private S. Scott
Medals were also struck for the following men, who were absent:
Corporal (later Lieutenant) David George Morgan Mooney - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9371
Private Austin Hall - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9459
Private Arthur Jeffreys - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11059
Private Matthew Lowry - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11034
Private Robert McIlwee - 60th (North Irish Horse) Company - 11083
Private Hugh Bateson Lyle - 74th (Dublin) Company - 15162
Private Ernest Harold Adair - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9393
Private Charles George Cowan - 46th (Belfast) Company - 9375