Description
Queen’s South Africa 3 bars, Talana, OFS, Transvaal, 4711 Pte Patrick McArdle, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, taken as a POW at Nicholsons Nek, from St Marks, Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Taken as Prisoner of War by the Boers at Nicholson’s Nek on 30th October 1899.
A poorly behaved Soldier with an assault conviction on a Police Officer and during his break from the Boer War at home in Christmas 1901 went missing for over a week from Christmas Eve to 3rd Jan.
Officially impressed: “4711 Pte P. McArdle, Rl. Irish Fus:”
Confirmed on the medal roll, later issued the KSA and additional loose Cape Colony clasp for further service, but was never attached to the medal.
Apart from a slight edge bruise the medal is in unworn condition.
Patrick McArdle was born in the parish of St Marks in Armagh, County Armagh, now part of Northern Ireland circa 1875.
When he was 18, he attested for service in Princess Victoria’s Royal Irish Fusiliers on 16th November 1893.
He stated that he had been serving in the 3rd Royal Irish Fusiliers Militia Battalion before he was old enough for full time service.
He saw the following service:
Home, 16th November 1893 – 15th January 1896
East India, 16th Jan 1896 – 20th December 1897
Egypt, 21st December 1897 – 29th September 1899
South Africa, 30th September 1899 – 19th September 1901. Boer War Service with 1st Battalion including as POW
Home, 20th Sept 1901 – 13th April 1902
South Africa, 14th April 1902 – 27th September 1902. Second deployment with 2nd Battalion.
Home, 28th September 1902 -15th November 1905, finishing off Army Reserve Service.
Discharged full after 12 years on 15th November 1905.
Appears to have attempted to re-enlist for the Army Reserve at Belfast on 30th January 1906, his conduct was said to be “Indifferent” and he was decline was unfit for service.
Patrick was poorly behaved as a soldier, he was imprisoned by his Commanding Officer for 11 days on 11th September 1898 in Egypt.
On 4th January 1902 he was found to have been absent, conveniently from a seemingly Jolly week from Christmas Eve 1901 to 3rd Jan 1902.
Forfeits 10 days of pay for his absence from 24th December 1901 to 3rd Jan 1902.
Posted over to 2nd Battalion to see a 2nd deployment in South Africa with the 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Following his discharge to the Army Reserve from 16th December 1902.
He was arrested by the Police “Civil Powers” and convicted in court of:
1, Assault on a Police Officer
2, Malicious Damage
He was sentenced to 2 months of Hard Labour for the Assault and 3 Days for the Damage on 29th August 1904.
