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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 90

An interesting South Africa Medal to Quartermaster-Sergeant M. O'Callaghan, 58th Foot, who was serving as a Colour-Sergeant at the Battle of Laing's Nek, the last time a British Regiment carried their Colours into action

South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (564. Sgt M. O'Callaghan. 58th Foot.), minor contact marks, slight edge bruise, very fine

Entitled to clasp '1879'.

Matthew O'Callaghan was born at Golden, Carhel, Tipperary in 1844 and enlisted at Thorncliffe on 5 August 1859 at the tender age of fifteen. Promoted Sergeant by 1864 he was reduced to the ranks for drunkenness only a few months before being posted to India on 28 July 1864 being stationed at Sealkot (Sialkot). After nine years of service in India O'Callaghan was posted home on 21 February 1874.

Regaining the rank of Sergeant by 1 August 1878 he was posted with the Regiment to South Africa on 26 February 1879. The 58th arrived at Durban on 4 April and were initially employed building forts and conducting reconnaissance. Four companies of the Regiment marched with the British square at the Battle of Ulundi in 1879 where they came under heavy attack losing 1 man killed and 13 wounded.

O'Callaghan must have impressed his commanders with his actions during the war as he was promoted Colour-Sergeant not long after its end on 11 May 1880. He held this role during the First Anglo-Boer War, with the first major action being the Battle of Laing's Nek- the last action in which British colours were carried into battle. The Battle was a failure for the British and with a further defeat at Majuba Hill the war came to a humiliating end. Despite this O'Callaghan was promoted Quartermaster Sergeant on 15 April 1884. He was discharged from service on 30 September 1889; sold together with copied research including service papers, medal rolls and a pay list.

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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£170