Thomas Walsh KIA Isandhlwana

Subject: Thomas Walsh KIA Isandhlwana Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:13 pm

Thomas Walsh KIA Isandhlwana on 22 January 1879. Thomas Walsh is recorded as having enlisted at Manchester on 15 June 1875, aged 19 years. He served with the 1st Battalion, 24th Foot (post 1881 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers). His mother and sister claimed his personal effects.

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Liitlehand

Picture of his medal

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Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

I had posted this image in another related thread - but thought it was appropriate here too.

This is the medal to Pte. T. Walsh with decrotive suspender. Photographed recently when a part of a friends collection.

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Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mons14

Has this medal come up for sale again?

What year did your friend sell the medal, I only ask for, keeping track of when they went on sale?

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mons14 again

After checking my records, there were three Thomas Walsh's that were killed at Isandlwana.
Only two of them were entitled to the 1877-8-9 bar.

The photograph of my T Walsh, His regimental service number was 25B/285, what was your friends?

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

Same one mate, its currently at Dixons - My collector friend is also selling a Rorkes Drift defender which will be coming to one of the larger auction houses in the coming weeks (I think its going to DNW but could be wrong).

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mons14

Having a quick look at the medal on Dixons website, do you think they have photographed Walsh's medal or are they using a standard photograph?
The reason I ask, your photgraph of the medal has a newer ribbon and the decrotive suspender.

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

I would blame poor lighting and a lower resolution photo. You can see the darker patches around the base of the neck of Queen Victoria and around the dates in the suspender match in both photo's.

I was also suprised that Dixons made no mention of the suspender....Thoes suspenders are rather rare and a lovely added bonus to any Victorian medal - which leads me to wonder if someone has since removed it?

That would be a real shame as it was probably put on by Walsh's next of kin.

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mons14

Mate, I have to agree with you, the medal looks a lot better with the suspender. Would the suspender add vaule to the medal?

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

1879graves wrote:: Hi Mons14

Has this medal come up for sale again?

What year did your friend sell the medal, I only ask for, keeping track of when they went on sale?

He just sold it inside the past couple months

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Thanks for the info mate, will add it too my records.

I have just signed up to Dixons, I do like thier Stolen section. That is a good way of letting us know what has been stolen.

:)

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

1879graves wrote:: Hi Mons14

Mate, I have to agree with you, the medal looks a lot better with the suspender. Would the suspender add vaule to the medal?

Not really - but it does add a layer of story telling if you will, having been mounted there by a loved one - making the medal unique to this one soldier. I think thoes little touches add personality to a medal; sets it aside from all the others.

So yes a shame if its gone.

Subject: thomas walsh Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:06 pm

hi mons , graves.
I agree with all that you have said , crying shame if the suspender has gone. Suspect

.
cheers 90th.

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

Just found this image and thought you fellows might appreciate seeing it.

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» 285 Private Thomas Walsh 1/24th clasp 1877-8-9 KIA isandlwana
» Quartermaster-Sergeant, Thomas Leach was killed in action at Isandhlwana on 22nd January 1879
» 1415 Thomas Thomas of Ystalyfera to his Uncle and Aunt.