Description
Queen’s South Africa, 5 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901, SA 1902, 7245 Private F. Green, 2nd Bn Royal Irish Regiment, a London Volunteer from the 16th London Irish.
Officially impressed: “7245 Pte F. Green. Rl: Irish Rifles.”
With original silk ribbon, toned.
Confirmed on the medal roll for all 5 clasps, the latter roll recording the issue of his pair of date clasps recall as of May 1903 that he along with others from the regiment were now serving in the “16th London Irish” (having been returned back home after the war)
This suggests that he was one of the Volunteers from the 16th (London Irish) Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Company who joined on attachment to the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, the eager volunteers were part of a draft made from the London Irish who joined the C.I.V. and 2nd R.I.R. during the war under command of Captain C.G. Henty, son of the notable Novelist and War Correspondent George Alfred Henty.
A period newspaper article from 5th May 1900 reads:
“LONDON IRISH OFF TO THE WAR
Major General Trotter, commanding the Home District, this morning inspected at St George’s Barracks, London, the service company of the London Irish Rifles, which leaves England next Wednesday for South Africa, there to fill gaps caused in the ranks of the Royal Irish Rifles.
The men numbering 103, were in full marching order, Captain C.G. Henty, son of the Novelist, was in charge.
Major General Trotter congratulated the men upon their appearance and their patriotism, and said their employers in allowing them to proceed to the front deserved the thanks of the country.
The inspecting officer also reminded the men that they were joining one of the best regiments in the Army. – Press Association.”
You can read further about the 16th London Irish and their interesting active service in the Boer War on their website:
They recall that on the outbreak of the war, 400 out of 1100 of the London Irish volunteered to serve in the war, and another 500 were ready for garrison duty as needed. In the end only 8 Officers and 200 Men, including Pte Green were posted overseas joining the CIV and 2 RIR. They proved themselves well in battle, Captain FG Concannon earning a DSO and their Commanding Officer Captain CG Fenty earned a Mention in Despatches.
They note that “Meanwhile the London Irish Service Company did not sail for South Africa until 11th May 1900 and the draft for the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles (RIR) also included a section from the 2nd Tower Hamlets and one from the 15th Middlesex (Customs and Docks). The draft was commanded by Captain CG Henty, London Irish Rifles, who was accompanied by Lieut GE Hayes–Sheen, also of the London Irish. The 2 RIR, who had sailed earlier in 1900, had suffered severe losses during the fighting and, in addition to the London Irish service company, another one was also on the way from the 5th Bttn Royal Irish Rifles (South Down Militia) to bring them back to full strength.
The London Irish service company joined the 2nd RIR on 13th June 1900 and became known as ‘K’ Company. The first mention of the company being in action was at the beginning of October 1900 at Bulfontein when a Private was killed and other three ORs wounded, one of whom died later. Capt Henty and part of his company were then besieged in Bulfonstein for three months by the Boers, and there is a record of Captain Henty being appointed Assistant District Commissioner from 4th October 1900 to 5th January 1901. On 16th November 1900, the Boers attacked the Springhaunek post commanded by Lieut Hayes-Sheen and called on the garrison to surrender. Hayes-Sheen in charge of 45 men refused to do so and inflicted casualties on the Boers, and the London Irish held tight and the Boers gave up and moved on. There were no British casualties. They formed the garrison at Bulfontein from 25th September 1900 to 20th April 1901, when they entrained for a port to return home to England. The CO of the 2nd RIR complimented them on their professional ability, and Captain Henty and two other officers serving with him were mentioned in despatches.”
