An Important & Very Rare (IRISH) QUEEN’s (Four Clasp) & KING’s SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, Pair. With original New Year 1900, Queen Victoria’s chocolate box.

To:
Captain-Major G.H.P. COLLEY.
”3rd Bn ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT” (Wexford Militia)
& RESIDENT Co. MAYO MAGISTRATE.

[BIOGRAPHY] 1870-12th November 1923.
Gerald Henry Pomeroy Colley, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1870 and was descended from a very old and distinguished “Scotch Episcopal” Scots-Irish family based in Tipperary. He held a military commission and served in the Boer War with the 3rd Bn Royal Irish Regiment.

He married Dorothy Evelyn Colley, a Scot, in 1907 in Scotland and later served as a resident magistrate at County Mayo, Ireland from about 3rd May 1909.

The marriage produced one daughter, Katrina Pomeroy Colley who was also born in Scotland. On the 1911 census he is seen as a very well to do gentleman who employed three ladies in his home in Tipperary. Dorothy Hilda Hurley, (English nurse, single,19) and two servants, Emily Rodbury, (English cook & housekeeper, widow,64) , and Bridget Mary Walsh, (parlour maid, single, 17).

[THE MEDALS]
DIAMOND HILL
JOHANNESBURG
ORANGE FREE STATE
CAPE COLONY

SOUTH AFRICA 1902
SOUTH AFRICA 1901


The two medals are officially engraved in “officers style” upper and lower case italic lettering:

QSA: Capt: G.H.P. COLLEY. Rl Irish Rgt:

KSA: Capt. G.H.P. COLLEY. Rl Irish Rgt.

[BOER WAR, NEW YEAR 1900 “VICTORIA” CHOCOLATE GIFT BOX]
Also included is a VERY well preserved Boer War Chocolate box with almost perfect lid paint.

Major Colley, latterly of 32 Queen Anne’s Gate, Westminster, London, died aged 53, on 12th November 1923 at King’s College Hospital, Surrey. His wife Dorothy Evelyn was granted his estate of £1761. 6s 4d by Will on 23rd February 1924.

Both medals which are totally unworn remain in superbly toned Mint State condition on their original ribbons.

An exceptional pair of medals to an officer of long and distinguished family pedigree who served in a highly sought after regiment.

Fit for inclusion in a fine collection of Irish medals.

£895 (RESERVED) 4.1.20 “EXPORT”