Queens South Africa Medal clasps Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laings Nek, Belfast (9633 PTE. T. HIRST. K.R.R.C.); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902 (9633 PTE. T. HIRST. K.R.R.C.)
9633 Pte Thomas Hirst KRRC b 1877 Dinnington Sheffield Attested 7.10.1896 To SA 25.11.1897 Fought at Talana and in Defence of Ladysmith battles. The KRRC played a decisive role in not only the assault on Talana Hill where they would have had to take cover behind small stone schanzes as they charged with almost no natural cover to assist them, but also in several of the battles and skirmishes which characterised the early days of the siege in Ladysmith. He also fought in the battle of Bergendal (Belfast clasp) in the week of 20/27 August 1900. This epic struggle was the last pitched battle of the war before the Guerilla Phase was entered into.
Later in 1902 he became Mounted Infantry and, after leaving the army became a Gas Fitter (1911) and, according to the 1921 census, a Coal Hewer.
According to the 1939 Register he was living at 25 Leopold Street, Dinnington and was a Colliery Coal Hewer by occupation at the age of 63.
Sold with copy service papers and medal rolls
