Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, bar Natal, 4121 Private James Reilly, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. A Local from Cleenish, Bilcot, Fermanagh, now Northern Ireland.
Private James Reilly, was frequently drunk and violent, he had a desertion to his name, both a Regimental and District Court Martial, and numerous terms of imprisonment and hard labour throughout his Army Career. His total prison time totalled at least 159 days.
Officially impressed: “4121 Pte J. Reilly R. Innis: Fus:”
Confirmed on the medal roll as issued with only the bar “Natal” for services during 1900 in Zululand.
A supplementary roll from mid 1903 records the issue of the Orange Free State & Transvaal clasps as a pair which would be issued loose.
Also earned the King’s South Africa, with both bars for service, all with the 1st Battalion.
Scarce entitlement to the Natal bar.
James was born in Cleenish, right by “Enniskillen” in Bilcot, County Fermanagh, Ireland, now Northern Ireland circa 1871.
At the age of 21, he attested with the local Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers for service on 23rd November 1892. He was a Roman Catholic.
He had already been a serving member of 3rd Militia Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
He was the opposite of a model soldier, he was imprisoned numerous times and was tried by District Court Martial in December 1899 for the charges of: 1. Offering Violence to his superior Officer. 2. Using threatening language to his superior officer.”
He was found guilty, but only for the 2nd charge, being sent to prison for 112 days, where he would spend his entire Christmas.
He had plenty of prior convictions, 8 Days of imprisonment and hard labour from 24/10/1895 – 1/11/1895
Barely a month later, he was again awarded 11 days of imprisonment and hard labour on 9th December 1895 – 20th December 1895.
Again, placed in confinement and tried by Regimental Court Martial for “Drunkenness”, found guilty and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment, hard labour and fined 10/, on 17th June 1897 – 15th July 1897.
He was also marked down as having Deserted on 10th October 1899.
After he got out of prison they sent him out to war in South Africa.
He saw the following service:
Home, 23rd November 1892 – 13th September 1893
India, 14th September 1893 – 12th Feb 1895
Home, 13th Feb 1895 – 15th March 1900
South Africa, 16th March 1900 – 14th September 1900
Home, 15th September 1900 – 20th August 1801
South Africa, 21st August 1901 – 29th Sept 1902
Home, 30th September 1902 – 22nd November 1908.
1911 Census if Ireland lists at 61 Main Street, Maguiresbridge, Fermanagh, Rose Reilly (73) living with her son James Reilly (38). His army records recall his mother as Rose so likely him.
