About the product

Mediterranean Medal Royal West Kent Regt

Queen’s Mediterranean Medal, 1191 Private John Brennan, Royal West Kent Regiment.

Out of stock

SKU: J9223 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Extremely Fine

Description

Queen’s Mediterranean Medal, 1191 Private John Brennan, Royal West Kent Regiment. 

 

Officially impressed: “1191 Pte J. Brennan, Rl. W. Kent Regt”

 

Confirmed on the medal roll of the 3rd Militia Bn Royal West Kent Regt.

 

With copy Militia service records.

 

During the Boer War, he had joined the 3rd Militia Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment.

 

They earned the scarce “Mediterranean” Medal for being deployed to fill gaps overseas as the Army were moved over to South Africa, the 3rd Royal West Kents set off in early 1900 for Malta, they went out particularly early and became the “First Militia Battalion to be sent abroad since the Crimean War, the men were a little disappointed as they volunteered for South Africa wanting to fight but were passed over to fill the gaps in “The Mediterranean” stations.

 

The departure of his unit is mentioned in the Eastern Evening News, 4th Jan 1900:

 

“MILITIA OFF TO MALTA, CAPTAIN KENNEDY GOING

 

The 3rd Militia Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment, 1000 strong, bound for Malta, and the 9th Company R.E., numbering over 200, bound for South Africa, left Chatham this morning.

The former sail from the Royal Albert Docks, and the latter from Southampton.

The 3rd Royal West Kent Regiment will be the 1st Militia Battalion sent abroad since the Crimean War.

The greatest disappointment has been felt by officers and men at the destination being Malta instead of South Africa, as had been hoped, the whole battalion having volunteered for active service.

Captain J H Kennedy, Chief Conservative Agent for the Eastern Counties, goes with the 3rd Royals, of which he is Senior Captain.”

 

 

John Brennan was born in Woolwich, Kent, circa 1879.

 

On 21st April 1897 he attested for service with his local Militia, the 3rd Royal West Kents aged 18.

 

He was initially drilled on enlistment for 76 days, followed by attending the year 1898 and 1898 training.

 

He was then embodied early into the war for active service on 11th December 1899, his unit being the first of the Militia men to serve overseas since Crimea.

 

His papers recall:

“SERVICE ABROAD, Malta 4.1.00 to 9.6.01 Mediterranean Medal 1900-1901”

 

Having served in Malta, he was disembodied from active service on 9th June 1901.

 

After attending the 1902 year training, he finished of his terms of engagement to be discharged on 20th April 1903.

 

Apart from his time in Malta, he looks to have lived in Woolwich for most his life, being present there on the 1881, 1891, 1911 and 1939 census.