South Africa 1899-1902 Medals ROYAL ENGINEERS

South Africa 1899-1902 Medals.  Queen’s South Africa, Clasp: Cape Colony, Transvaal, Johannesburg. (Ghost Dates) 
King’s South Africa Medal. Clasp: South African 1901, South Africa 1902.

Both Medals in good condition with a dark toned colour, on original ribbons. Medal Rolls confirm entitlement.

24855 L/Cpl. P. Ruddy. 26th Field Company. ROYAL ENGINEERS

Patrick Ruddy born 1869 in Ireland. Enlisted in the Royal Engineers serving in the Boer war 1899-1902. Surviving the war Patrick Ruddy died 1946 in South Tidworth.

26th Field Company Royal Engineers 

Embarked for South Africa in October 1899 following the outbreak of War, and were commanded by Major W.F.H.Stafford. They were involved in the main British Army advance from Cape Colony to Bloemfontein and Pretoria under Lieutenant Generals Sir John French and Sir Charles Tucker. 
They handled critical Engineering tasks, including managing Electrical lighting and infrastructure in PRETORIA. Served in MOBILE COLUMNS and operations across the Transvaal Region where they came under fire when repairing Railway Bridges and clear tracks.

During the later phases of the war they were employed in constructing the Fortified Block Houses and Barbed Wire Barriers. Served on the Mobile Colums marching 100s miles across Transvaal and Orange Free State during active sweeps against Boer Fighters.

The 26th Field Company routinely took COMBAT CASUALTIES because of operating right at the front line, building Bridges under fire and clearing obstacles.Sniper fire and Skirmishes caused Combat deaths especially in Guerilla ambushes, they also had fatal accidents. The Engineers suffered accidental detonations, and collapsed structures such as bridges with Rail mishaps.The usual killer such as Enteric Fever (Typhoid) took a high toll. There is a Roll of honour at Brompton Barracks at Gillingham, Kent, commemorating the 26 men from the 26th Company Royal Engineers who died in the South Africa War 1899-1902. With many more injured.