Description
South Africa Medal, bar 1877-8-9, 406 Private John Giblin, 90th Foot, Perthshire Light Infantry, who earned the scarce triple dated clasp.
Officially engraved: “406, Pte J. Giblin, 90th Foot”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
Excellent preserved condition for its age.
John Giblin, was born in Galway, Ireland.
John enlisted into the 90th Light Infantry on 16th February 1874.
During the early days of his Army Career, he became a Deserter and can be found on the May 1876 Deserter Lists noting that “The Reward given for the apprehension of deserters will be in sums from 5 shillings to 20 shilling.”
The Police Gazette recalls a young 20 year old Private John Giblin, having deserted from the 90th Foot whilst stationed at Dublin on 13th May 1876.
He looks to have spent almost a month on the run, being entered on the weekly lists up to at least the 6th June 1876’s Police Gazette.
As noted on the medal rolls, his triple dated clasp was earned:
1877-8: “Engaged against the Gaikas, Galekas and other Kaffir tribes 1877-8”
During 1878, the they fought in the Ninth Xhosa War.
1879: “Engaged against the Zulus in 1879”
During the famous Zulu War of 1879, the 90th Light Infantry fought in 2 major battles, the Battle of Kambula on 29th march 1879, and the Battle of Ulundi on 4th July 1879, which victory marked the end of the war.
During his service, the 90th Foot was amalgamated with the 26th Foot in 1881 to from the new Cameronians, aka the Scottish Rifles, who he would finish out his service with.
He was discharged from service at the end of his 12 year terms of engagement on 8th August 1886 from the Scottish Rifles.
