Description
Queen’s South Africa, 4 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, King’s South Africa, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 32514 Pte Thomas Norgrove, 10th W.D. R.G.A., form Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland.
QSA officially impressed: “32514 Gnr: T. Norgrove. 10th Coy W.D. R.G.A.”
KSA officially impressed: “32514 Gnr: T. Norgrove R.G.A.”
Confirmed on the medal roll for all medals and clasps. Some contact marking and general wear, the medals being awarded at the beginning of his service being discharged almost 20 years later.
With a detailed digital service file filled to the brim with his extensive service details.
Served a full 21 years and saw extensive service, earning the Army LSGC circa 1918, leading up to World War 1 He spent 4 years in Hong Kong training the local H.K.S. Hong Kong and Singapore Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery.
Thomas Norgrove, was born in the coastal town of Kilrush, in County Clare, Ireland, circa 1880.
When he was 18 years old he signed up with the Army joining the Royal Artillery at Limerick on 29th December 1898.
He was discharged under Para 392 (XXI) King’s Regulations on 21st June 1920.
He would see significant service over 22 years, including 4 years in Hong Kong leading up to World War 1 and 7 months in German East Africa during the war, these were his postings:
“Home, 29th Dec 1898 – 2nd Feb 1900
South Africa (Boer War), 3rd Feb 1900 – 21st Sept 1902
Gibraltar, 22nd Sept 1902 – 9th Nov 1903
Malta, 10th nov 1903 – 1st Dec 1905
Home, 2nd Dec 1905 – 9th Sept 1910
Hong Kong, 10th Sept 1910 – 4th May 1914
Mauritius, 5th May 1914 – 29th Nov 1915
South Africa – 30th Nov 1915 – 9th January 1916
German East African, 10th Jan 1916 – 28th January 1917
Home, 29th January 1917 – Discharge.”
Originally posted to Hong Kong as a Corporal on 19th September 1910, he was then “Promoted and Appointed as Assistant Instructor in Gunnery to the 4th Company H.K.S.B. R.G.A” on 18th February 1912.
Around this time the 1911 Census recalls him living at the Victoria Barracks in Hong Kong, No 88 Company RGA.
After this he saw campaign with with the British Expeditionary Force East Africa being attached as Sergeant on 10th January 1916, with 7th Field Battery.
After this he was posted as Sergeant to the Siege artillery at home at “P*** Heath” on 24th Feb 1917.
Becoming Battery Sergeant major on 3rd March 1917.
After returning home he became an Acting Battery Sergeant Major and on 16th September 1917 served at the Siege School in Aldershot.
At Lydd CSS he was appointed as acting Warrant Officer Class II, Acting B.S.M. Instructor in Gunnery, 9th August 1918.
On 3rd June 1918, he was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major sent from Lydd C.S.S. “For the Army of Occupation.”
