Matthew Walsh Born 1866 Chester

[PaulJC]

The reason for the award of the 1887 medal? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria_Golden_Jubilee_Medal

I understand they were given to selected NCOs and men who were part of the parade or at the Spiyhead review. Thats why it would not have been possible to be awarded such a medal if Walsh was in India at the time. I am going to check the dates of the parade and Spithead review and cross reference them with the service papers referred to in another mail.

[amondg]

Have you got his birth certificate? an exact date of birth might help.

Matthew Walsh registered 1855,Ashton - March quarter, vol 8d page 383

[jonw65]

Here is the thing.
M. Walsh, R.G.A.
https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/past-catalogues/729/catalogue/487117/

[Ashtone]

So RC is providing research on behalf of a military medal purchase?    Phooey.

On closer inspection of the RA soldier's service record (mentioned earlier), it says "Nil" for Medals and Decorations. This fellow's father was also named Matthew. And the soldier was Roman Catholic. He had previously served in the Cheshire Militia.

[Ashtone]

Here is the thing.
M. Walsh, R.G.A.
https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/past-catalogues/729/catalogue/487117/

I'm confused now. Why did the OP say the medal recipient's name is "Matthew" -- when only the initial "M" is given for the actual medal?  Is "Matthew" simply a guess?

The soldier in question could be "Michael"...or "Martin"...or "Mark".....

[softly softly]

Interesting, it's all gone very very quiet from original poster

SS

[ShaunJ]

Just to clear up the question of when the RGA came into being, there are contemporary newspaper references to the Royal Garrison Artillery from the mid-1870s onwards.