Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, with 7 confirmed bars, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Trnasvaal, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, 1771 Private George Sibley, Rifle Brigade. With copy rolls and service papers Officially engraved: “1771 Pte G. Sibley. Rifle Bde.” Some contact marking from his long career. Officially engraved in attractive “Officer” style, originally issued with 5 bars to recipient.
He later earned the Cape Colony bar on a further roll for extra service (Remarks note he was sent “Clasp Only”), and another later roll records he earned a further loose clasp for “South Africa 1901”. He did not earn a K.S.A., so the extra 2 bars have been attached to the medal later as they should be, making up 7 clasps.
Private George Sibley, a London, was born during 1873 in Chelsea, London, Middlesex. He first attested for service just after his 18th Birthday on 3rd October 1891, for service with Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade. He stated that whilst underage he had served with his local 4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment of Militia and worked as a Waiter. He saw a long and full Army Career with the Rifle Brigade. Serving from 1891 all the way until 19th November 1911. He chose to take his discharge, to reside at Manchester Road in Millwall: “At his own request after 18 (20 is crossed out but he did do 20 years) years of service with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant.” He had just made it past 20 years and might have earned a Long Service Medal, his conduct was said to have been “Very Good”, but not good enough.
His good conduct had been forfeited a few times and whilst at home on 9th September 1902, with the 15th Prov Bn he had been arrested and “Tried by Regimental Court Martial for conduct to the prejudice of the Army.” He was sentenced to 14 days of imprisonment with hard labour. Upon his discharge in 1911, his medals section of his papers do record he had all 7 bars at the time: “Soudan Medal, Clasp for Khartoum, S. African medal Clasps, Tugela Heights, R of Ladsymith, Laing’s Nek, Cape Colony, O. F. State, Transvaal, SA 1901.” He was signed off for discharge at Calcutta, sent home and finally discharged from Gosport on 19th November 1911.
After leaving the army he lived in Poplar Borough and was a Foreman of Works, living for a Iron and Metal Merchants. In 1921 he was living with his wife Bertha and Daughter Florence With his retirement he lived at 78 Manchester Road, in Millwall, and died at Poplar Hospital at the age of 68 on 22nd October 1938.
