Description
British South Africa Company, bar Rhodesia 1896, 3388 Private James Haggerty, 2nd West Riding Regiment. Rare to British Regiments.
Officially engraved: “3388 Pte J. Haggerty. 2/W. Rid-Regt”
Confirmed on the medal roll, which notes he was still service with 2nd West Ridings in Bangalore at the time of issue circa 1898.
With copy enlistment papers for his Militia service before signing on full time.
James Haggerty was born in Halifax, Yorkshire circa 1871.
At the age of 21 whilst living in Bradford, Yorkshire, he signed on for part time service with the local 3rd Militia Bn West Riding Regiment.
On enlistment he finished out his drills and soon afterwards on 12th September 1892 signed on for full time service in the West Riding Regiment.
During April 1893, the 2nd Battalion under command of Lt Colonel E. Nesbitt, set sail for the Cape Colony.
During that time the regiment whilst stationed in the country took part in the Rhodesia 1896 war earning this medal.
Haggerty was one of only about 13 Officers and 320 NCOs and men who served on active service in the conflict.
James would later return to service in World War 1, however as he was quite old by this point he served at home only in the Royal Defence Corps with service number 9231 and did not earn himself any more medals.
During WW1 he enlisted into the No 155 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps whilst living on Lowe Street in Middlesborough, he was 46 years old at the time on 10th April 1915.
Serving out his 2 years at home, he was discharged on 2nd July 1917 due to disability and awarded a pension of 4/8 for life, due to Syphilis and Osteitis of the Jaw.
