Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Sergeant T. Rooney, Royal Irish Regiment, late 39th Foot

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (T. Rooney, 39th Regt.) officially impressed naming; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1864 to 1866 (1653 Corpl. Thos. Rooney, 2nd Bn. 18th Ryl. Irish Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1653 Sergt. T. Rooney 2nd Bn. 18th Foot.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, the first with heavy edge bruising and contact marks, fine, otherwise nearly very fine or better (4) £400-£500

Provenance: Bought Baldwin’s, May 1963.

Thomas Rooney was born at Castlereagh, County Roscommon, and attested for the 39th Foot at Bayle, Roscommon, on 16 January 1855, aged 21. He was promoted to Corporal in January 1858 and transferred to the 2nd Battalion, 18th Royal Irish Regiment as a Private on 20 August 1863, re-engaged two days later, and was promoted to Corporal in August 1864 and to Sergeant in December 1867. He served abroad for 1 year in the Crimea, 3 years 5 months in Canada, 6 months in the West Indies, and 6 years 11 months in Australia and New Zealand. He was discharged at Colchester on 10 January 1876, having claimed it on termination of his second period of limited engagement. ‘He is in possession of the Crimean Medal with clasp for Sebastopol, Turkish, New Zealand & Good Conduct Medals.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.