Royal munster fusilier puzzle???

[Jack TT]

I am researching a soldier J 'O Brien. No 2746. Royal Munster Fusiliers. I have found a medal record for The Queens Mediterranean medal on Nat. Archives showing 5th Battalion.
I have tried to find a service record and can only come up with J O'Brien 2746 of the 3rd Batt. Rifle Brigade. Does it seems too much of a coincidence for this to be a different soldier??
Can anyone with better knowledge than me give an opinion please?

[Ashtone]

Where was your chap from and when was he born? Is he someone in your family tree, or do you collect military medals? Just curious.
According to the service record you've mentioned (record on FindMyPast), that man was from Middlesex.
If this might be your chap, look at the actual record to ascertain other details to compare to your man. If memory serves, you do have a FindMyPast and/or Fold 3 sub, correct?

British Army Service Records
Name John O Brien
Birth year 1869
Year 1893
Service number 2746
Regiment Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
Birth county Middlesex

[Jack TT]

Thanks for the reply, I don't know where he was from, the only record I can find so far is the Nat archives Queens Mediterranean medal record that shows the same name and number. I am wondering  if he left the rifle brigade and joined the Munsters , however I am struggling to find any service record for the Munsters.

[Ashtone]

Are you a medals collector then? In any case, look at the Rifles Brigade service record on FindMyPast and/or Fold3. It will indicate if that chap transferred into another regiment, and also medals awarded (if any).

[Jack TT]

I have FindMyPast, it states that he left the rifle brigade in 1899. Apart from the name and number I cant see any other links to the Munsters.

[Ashtone]

Can you include the TNA link for the Queen's Mediterranean Medal mention.

[ShaunJ]

It is just a coincidence.

1. Before 1920 soldiers' service numbers were regiment based. If a soldier moved to a different regiment, he'd get a new number.
2. It's a very common name.
3. The Rifle Brigade soldier was discharged as medically unfit in 1897
4. The Royal Munster militiaman's medal was issued for service in 1899-1902.

[Ashtone]

Just wanted to mention there are two RMF soldiers with blank service numbers on FindMyPast, in the right time frame. I don't have a FindMyPast sub, so can't see the records. I wonder if the service numbers are missing or illegible?

John O Brien
Birth 1868
Year 1884
Service number ?
Regiment Royal Munster Fusiliers
Born county Kerry

James O Brien
Born 1872
Year 1892
Service number —
Regiment Royal Munster Fusiliers
Birth county Clare

[Jack TT]

This soldier was in the same regiment as most of my ancestors, so I have  an interest in anything related to the Munsters.
The Nat Archives reference is WO100/368, page 220.
I am trying to find a link between him leaving the Rifles and joining the Munsters ( if it is the same man), as I mentioned earlier , it would be a huge coincidence if the same name and number were two different people.
I do not have Fold 3, not sure if that would contain anything additional than FP.
One other thing that I have just seen, the 5th Munsters are also linked to the Royal Limerick County Militia(fusiliers.
Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your replies so far.