Queens South Africa Medal clasps Talana, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4896 PTE. J. KELLY. RL.IRISH.FUS.); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902 (4986 PTE. J. KELLY. RL.IRISH.FUS.) - note the change in the sequence of the numbers - the transcribing clerks made many such blunders working off the medal rolls.
4986 Pte J Kelly served with A Company 1st Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers at Talana and was taken POW at Nicholson's Nek 30.10.1899 in the last action before Ladysmith was besieged. He was released at Waterval (Pretoria) on 5.9.1900 Rejoined unit fought till end of the war.
The R.I.F. fought with great valour at Talana On 20 October 1899 where the 1st Battalion attacked a strong Boer position at Talana Hill. The feature itself was steep and it took eight hours to reach the top. The keen-eyed Boers picked off many of the attackers on the way up, most of them being shot through the head. Kelly, fortunately came away unscathed only to be taken prisoner ten days later.
Sold with medal rolls and extract from the Biggins book on Talana.
