Queens South Africa Medal clasps Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal & Laings Nek named 3040 PTE G BIRD DEVON REGT. All confirmed on the rolls.
George Bird born in Chedzoy, Somerset in 1870 and was a labourer who had previous TA service with the 3rd Somerset Light Infantry when he enlisted aged 20 years old into the Devonshire Regiment on 20th July 1890 numbered 3040. After training he was sent to Egypt with the 1st Battalion on 28th Jan 1891 till 28th Dec 1892 when they were sent to India. He took part in the expeditions of North West Frontier & Tirah 1897/98 and gained the Indian General Service Medal with those clasps. He left India on 12th Feb 1898 and went home and was discharged. Recalled to the Colours on 7th Oct 1899 and sent to South Africa for the Boer war with the 2nd Battalion on 20th Oct 1899 till 13th Sep 1902 when he was sent home and discharged. Entitled to QSA 5 clasps and KSA 2 clasps.
WW1 comes along and he signs up aged 45 years old with the Territorial Force 5th Reserve Somerset Light Infantry numbered 3054. Transferred to the Royal Defence Corps numbered 20230 and then renumbered 25970 and spent the war in the UK till discharged on 29th Mar 1918, so no WW1 medals. Comes with service papers and rolls.
