*An I.G.S. ‘Relief of Chitral’ and Boer War Group of 3 awarded to Private William Kirby, East Lancashire Regiment, comprising: India General Service, 1895-1902, single clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (2600 Pte W. Kirby 1st Bn E. Lanc Regt); Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, second type reverse with ghosted dates, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2600 Pte W. Kirby, E. Lanc: Regt); King’s South Africa, 1901-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2600 Pte W. Kirby. E. Lanc: Regt); Group swing-mounted for display, with small velcro pad to reverse, suspension very slightly slack to first, about extremely fine (3). Private William Kirby was born Preston, Lancashire, c.1871, and enlisted for service with the East Lancashire Regiment at Burnley on 13 March 1889. He served with his regiment during the Relief of Chitral, and also during the Boer War (rolls confirm), completing a total of 12 years with the colours upon his retirement on 30 April 1902. He re-attested for service on 15 September 1914 and was promoted to Acting-Sergeant by late July 1917, but was tried and charged for ‘wilfully allowing to escape a person committed to his charge’ (the soldier in question, a Private Marks, appears to have made his escape from the lavatories at Aldgate Street Station). Kirby was temporarily reduced to Corporal and appears to have continued to serve until the end of the war. He died in mid-late 1945.

Estimate: GBP 300 - 400