A Collection of Medals to the 13th Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry

Three: Major & Quarter-Master P. Moran, Somerset Light Infantry, who was twice mentioned in despatches for the Boer War

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (681 Sergt. Major, 2nd Bn. Som. L. I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Lt. & Qr. Mr., Som. L.I.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. & Qr. Mr., Som. L.I.), together with set of related dress miniatures, edge nicks and contact marks, generally very fine or better (6) £900-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 13th Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry.

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Patrick Moran enlisted in the 13th Foot at Dublin in January 1873, aged 18 years, fraudulently omitting to state in the process that he was then a member of the Roscommon Regiment of Militia: as it transpired, this would be the only blemish on his record after a career of some 40 years with Colours.

Advanced to Corporal in August 1876; Sergeant in February 1878; Colour-Sergeant in August 1882 and to Sergeant-Major in June 1886, Moran was actively employed in the Burma operations of 1885-87 and returned to the U.K. in March 1893. Commissioned as a Lieutenant and Quarter-Master in the course of 1897, he served out in South Africa and was twice mentioned in despatches by Lord Kitchener (London Gazette 26 May 1901 and 28 July 1901).

His first ‘mention’ stemmed from the following statement made by the C.O. of the 2/Somersets, dated at Sannah’s Post on 25 March 1901:

‘I would very much like to bring the services of Quarter-Master Moran before the G.O.C. for recommendation for a mention in despatches in addition to the seven officers already mentioned - Quarter-Master Moran is one of the best of his rank in the Army, whether in peace or war and has done invaluable service for the Battalion.’

And the second from the following statement made by Major H. R. Lloyd, 2/Somersets, dated at Standerton on 28 May 1901, for gallantry during a Boer attack on one of our convoys, near Mooifontein, south of Bethel, on 25 May 1901:

‘Lieutenant and Quarter-Master P. Moran, at a critical period of the fight, observed a party of the enemy creeping up an undefended donga on the left flank of the convoy. Entirely on his own initiative he collected a party of men, consisting of sick men riding on the wagons and company cooks and with them beat back the Boer attack.’



Further reference to this action and Moran is to be found in the regimental history:

‘In the rear of the ridge, now held by ‘H’ and ‘C’ Companies, there was a spruit crossing the main road at right angles which afforded excellent cover. A fresh party of Boers advancing from the east now utilized this means of approach and if firmly established would have cut off the retreat of ‘H’ and ‘C’ Companies. Lieutenant Moran, the Quarter-Master, seeing the impending danger, with great promptitude collected the cooks, wagon men and such sick as were able to move, and kept off the enemy until ‘H’ and ‘C’ Companies were able to retire. Meanwhile, the convoy, though attacked in front and on the flanks, continued to make steady progress and eventually reached Mooifontein after six hours’ fighting, when the approach of Plumer’s column caused the enemy to desist from their attacks. The losses sustained by Gallwey’s force amounted to 31 killed and wounded. The Battalion casualties were 1 killed and 5 wounded ...’

Moran was successfully recommended for honorary promotion to Major and Quarter-Master just prior to being placed on the Retired List in 1910, and returned to the Colours on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, when he served as Senior District Officer, A.S.C. at Gosport. He died in August 1936, aged 82 years.

Also see Lots 340 and 345 for other members of the Regiment present in the convoy action of 25 May 1901.