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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 195

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Corporal M. McElligott, Connaught Rangers, who was severely wounded in action at Thaba N'chu

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 10 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (3258 Cpl. M. Mc.Elligott. 1st. Connaught Rang:), unofficial rivets and evidence of filing between fourth and fifth clasps, and state and date clasps, nearly extremely fine


Michael McElligott was born on 17 January 1865 in the Ballyduff District of Kerry, Ireland, the son of Patrick McElligott and Johanna Fealy. A labourer by occupation, he attested for the Connaught Rangers at Galway on 13 November 1888 and witnessed overseas service in Malta, Cyprus and Egypt. Posted to South Africa from 10 November 1899-25 May 1902, McElligott was promoted Corporal on 5 November 1900 and discharged on 30 June 1902.

The South African Field Force Casualty List notes that No. 3258 Lance-Corporal M. McKelligott (note spelling) of the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers, was 'severely wounded at Thaba N'chu on 27 April 1900,' and this is confirmed in the Boer War Casualty Roll, 1899-1902, by Alexander M. Palmer. It is likely that McElligott received his wounds whilst serving under General Ridley's Brigade of Mounted Infantry against a mass of some 6,000 Boer horsemen at Thaba N'chu. The Halt at Bloemfontein records approximately a dozen men hors de combat (disabled from fighting) during this action; sold with copied service record, clasp entitlement unverified.


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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£100