Queen's South Africa Medal : Private J Byrne, 1 Battalion, Connaught Rangers

Queen's South Africa Medal with the bars 'RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY', 'PAARDEBERG', 'DRIEFONTEIN', 'JOHANNESBURG', 'DIAMOND HILL', and 'WITTEBERGEN'. The recipient's number, rank, name and regiment are impressed on the edge. Obverse: The crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX' around the rim. Reverse: Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath towards an advancing party of soldiers. In the background are two warships. The wreath in Britannia's hand points to the letter 'R' in the word 'AFRICA'. Around the top are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'. The medal is fitted with a straight suspender and six rectangular campaign bars. A piece of 32 mm red ribbon with two dark blue stripes and a broad orange central stripe is attached to the suspender.

Awarded to Private J Byrne, First Battalion, Connaught Rangers for his service in South Africa during the Boer War. According to 'British Battles and Medals' by Major L L Gordon, the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers (or 88th Foot) were not present at any of the actions represented as bars on this medal. It can only be assumed that Private Byrne was attached to another unit during the war. Twenty six bars were issued with this medal including five 'State' bars and two 'date' bars for 1901 and 1902. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916, and of his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.