Description
Queen’s South Africa, 3 bars, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, 2356 Private Patrick Quigg, Yorkshire Regiment. a Londonderry Man from Derry in Northern Ireland.
Officially impressed: “2356 Pte P. Quigg. Yorkshire Regt”
Full entitlement, confirmed on the roll.
An Irishman from Maghera, Derry, who served many years in the Yorkshire Regiment including the Boer War, having been recalled from the reserves to fight in South Africa.
Retiring to Newcastle on Tyne, in his mid 40s he re-enlisted in November 1914, becoming one of the original members of the “Tyneside Irish”, 24th 1st Tyneside Irish Pals Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.
However being too old to serve overseas he missed out on deployment, being left behind he joined the East Yorkshire Regiment and the 25th Durham Light Infantry, but was later discharged back to the reserves.
Still at 48 he re-enlisted one final time after the war to serve with the Northumberland Fus from 1919-1920.
Patrick was born in in the town of Maghera in County Londonderry or Derry, now Northern Ireland circa 1870.
He was born to two Irish parents, his father Patrick had moved to Yorkshire with his wife and children.
When he was about 17 years old, he made his first attempt to join the military, signing up with the Yorkshire Regiment on 25th November 1887. However being assessed as a recruit, he was discharged the next day as “Inefficent” being noted on his after enlistment that he was rejected for being “Underweight”.
He tried again aged 18 years 10 months on 10th January 1888 at Richmond, Yorkshire, this time being accepted.
He did his 7 years of Active Service with 5 in the Reserves, joining the Army Reserve on 30th March 1895.
Service:
Home, 10th Jan 1888 – 30th Dec 1899
India, 31st Dec 1889 – 21st Nov 1892
Burma, 22nd Nov 1892 – 26th March 1895
Home, 27th March 1895 – 23rd Nov 1899 (Army Reserve)
South Africa, 24th Nov 1899 – 28th August 1900, Mobilised for Boer War
Home, 25th August 1900 – 8th February 1901.
On 13th November 1899, he was recalled to Army Service returning to his old Regiment and being posted to South Africa in November 1899.
He saw service in the Boer War in the campaign for the Relief of Kimberley, Battle of Paardeberg and Battle of Driefontein.
He returned home and was discharged having completed his terms of limited engagement on 9th January 1901.
Making this his only medal earned, not earning and additional bars or a KSA Medal.
He married and settled in Newcastle on Tyne.
With the outbreak of World War 1, now aged 44 and working as a Striker in Newcastle, he attested for service.
Attesting on 9th November 1914, he was accepted initially into the Tyneside Irish.
Having “17 years Service, 2B Yorks”.
Spending about a year with the 24th Battalion Tynside Irish from 9th Nov 1914 to 19th August 1915.
He then was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment on 14th March 1916.
Followed by the 25th Durham Light Infantry on 16th November 1916.
However he never saw active service and was discharged back to the reserves on 6th February 1917, being eventually discharged on 2nd November 1917.
“Over Age, permanently excluded from eligibility under the Military Service Review of Exceptions Act 1917.”
Not letting that stop him he re-enlisted in 1919:
Re-enlisted at Newcastle on 5th August 1919 aged 48, serving with 40th Northd Fusiliers form 8th August 1919 until 6th January 1920.
He was discharged on 24th March 1920.
His character was noted as : Very Good, Honest, Sober and Hardworking.
When he signed up for World War 1 aged 44 he was said to have these tattoos:
Left Forearm, Sailor
Right Forearm, Figure of a Woman
Chest, Queen Victoria.
