British - Pre-WWI - Queen’s South Africa Medal - Munster Fusiliers - Dea

Queen’s South Africa Medal, clasps ‘Cape Colony’, ‘Transvaal’, ‘Orange Free State’

Named: 6253 Pte. T. Dea, Munster Fus:

Thomas Dea was born in Tralee, Ireland and was living in Killarney when he joined the Munster Fusiliers (Militia) in 1897. He had previously been arrested and imprisoned by the civil authorities for ‘drunkenness’ and apparently was also previously rejected for army service having been judged ‘too young and too small’. He joined the regular army in March 1899. He is found on the deserters list in 1900 but must have rejoined his unit and completed his service in South Africa. He is additionally entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal.