South Africa Boer War and long service pair to a Great War Second Battle of Ypres casualty and prisoner of war, awarded to Sergeant V.J. McMahon, 2nd Battalion, formerly 3rd Militia Battalion, East Kent Regiment - the Buffs, who saw service during the Boer War out in South Africa on operations in the Cape Colony, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, and later during the Great War was present out on the Western Front from 17th January 1915, and was taken prisoner of war on 24th April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres, he having suffered a wound to the head from a rifle.
Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 4 Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902; (6457 L. CORPL. V.J. McMAHON. E. KENT REGT.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GVR Fm. bust; (6457 S*** * J. McMAHON. THE BUFFS.)
Condition: last with severe edge bruising, which obscures part of the naming, first with light edge bruising, hence only Fine.
Vincent James McMahon was born on 5th May 1883 in Upton, near Torquay, Devon, and was living in Woolwich, Kent and working as a clerk when he then attested for service with the British Army Militia at Woolwich on 3rd October 1900, joining as a Private (No.6091) the 3rd Militia Battalion, East Kent Regiment - the Buffs, before transferring to the regulars, as a Private (No.6457) with the The Buffs. Having seen service as a Lance Corporal during the Boer War out in South Africa on operations in the Cape Colony, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, he went on to serve during the Great War as a Corporal (No.L-6457) with the 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment, and was present out on the Western Front from 17th January 1915. McMahon was taken prisoner of war on 24th April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres, he having suffered a wound to the head from a rifle. McMahon would appear to have been later promoted to Sergeant by the time of the award of his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
