Description
India General Service Medal, 2 bars, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891, 5421 Pte Thomas Culpan, 1st Bn K.R.R.C., Fought Hazara & Miranzai, Chitral Relief Force and Boer War.
Officially engraved in upright capitals: “5421 Pte T. Culpan. 1/K:R:R:C.”
Engraving very close in style to Royal Mint engraving done on the Canada General Service, to British Regiments circa 1900.
Possibly a slightly later claim, but unusual to find without the usual running script engraving.
According to his papers Private Thomas Culpan, of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, was born in Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire, during 1867.
This is not entirely true, he was actually born during 1860 in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire.
He attested for service on 14th September 1889.
He saw the following service:
Home, 14th Sept 1889 – 24th Nov 1890
India, 25th Nov 1890 – 17th Jan 1897
Mauritius, 18th Jan 1897 – 22nd June 1897
Home, 23rd June 1897 – 12th Dec 1899 (Mobilised from Army Reserve for Boer War)
South Africa, 13th Dec 1899 –
Campaigns and medals from his service papers:
“CAMPAIGNS – Hazara ‘91 and Miranza ‘91, Isazai 1892
Chitral Relief 1895
South Africa 1900 01 02
MEDALS – India Medal with clasps Hazara 91 and Samana 91
India Medal, clasp, Relief of Chitral 95
South African Medal with clasps, Belfast, Cape Colony, O.F. State, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladyismith & Laing’s Nek.”
(& K.S.A. 2 bars according to Medal Rolls)
Shown on the 1911 Census as living in Woodland Street, Broughton, Salford, Manchester, a 50 year old Rubber Labourer.
Thomas died in Manchester during 1921.
