Pair: Quartermaster M. J Kenny, Connaught Rangers

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (1275 Corpl. M. J. Kenny. 88th. Foot.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, last clasp a tailor’s copy (Qr. Mr. M. J. Kenny. 1st. Connaught Rang:); together with the related miniature awards, the clasps on the QSA mounted in the order TH, RoL, T, OFS, CC, SA01, the miniatures mounted as worn, very fine and better (2) £1,000-£1,400

Michael James Kenny was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1856, the son of Sergeant Major Peter Kenny, 11th Foot, and attested for the 88th Regiment of Foot on 2 April 1877. He served with the Regiment in South Africa from 17 June 1877 to 2 October 1879, and took part in both the Kaffir and Zulu Wars. Proceeding to India on 3 October 1879, where he was stationed until 5 November 1890, he was advanced Warrant Officer on 25 December 1889, and saw further service in Aden from 6 November 1890 to 15 December 1891.

Kenny was commissioned Quartermaster on 11 March 1896, and served in South Africa during the Beor War from 11 November 1899 to 2 Mach 1901, being present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; the actions at Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz; the operations at Tugela Heights and the action at Pieters Hill; and operations in the Orange Free State, in the Transvaal, and in the Cape Colony.

Returning to the U.K. on 3 March 1901, Kenny’s final appointment was as Quartermaster at the School of Training for Mounted Infantry at Aldershot from 10 December 1901 to 10 December 1906.

Sold with the recipient’s original Army Form B199 Record of Service; and a copy of the programme of the Connaught Rangers Old Comrades’ Association Seventh Annual Dinner, 4 June 1932.

For the medal awarded to the recipient’s father, see Lot 554.