Queens South Africa Medal. Burley. Royal Berkshires. St Thomas, Oxford. Imprisoned 4 times! Died from self inflicted wounds, Dublin. (ghost dated)
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Correctly named 5310 Pte J Burley 2: R Berks Regt
James Alexander Burley was born in the parish of St Thomas in Oxford in 1877. His address is noted as 20 Church St, Oxford. His parents are William and Elizabeth.
He attested to the 3Bn Royal Berks in February 1898.
He went overseas with the 2nd Bn Royal Berks in 1898 and returns home 1901. He returns to South Africa in May 1902. He stayed in South Africa until October 1902 where then he was sent to Egypt until 1906. After that he is placed with the Army Reserves.
He is first in trouble in October 1902 and awaiting trial for breaking out of barracks. He was awarded 14 days hard labour in prison.
In January 1903, he is imprisoned again for being in the canteen whilst a defaulter. He is given 14 days hard labour in prison.
We find he is awaiting trial in November 1904 for failing to attend parade, drunkenness and willful damage to public property. He was sent to prison for 14 days and is senna to be returned to duty on the 6th December 1904
He is next in bother in February 1905 where he is again awaiting trial for failing to attend parade. He was awarded 28 days hard labour in prison.
The clasps South Africa 1901, Orange Free State and Cape Colony are confirmed in his service papers.
We find an address for him in 1911. 53 Fisher Way (Upper), Oxford. He is here with his parents and it is noted he is working as a carter/labourer.
We next find him serving in WWI with 1Bn Royal Berkshires with the service number 15861. He went overseas to France with them in January 1915, earning a 1915 Star Trio.
He transfers to the 653rd Home Service Employment Company of the Army Service Corps with the service number 597746 (sometimes written as 597446). Here he is sent to Dublin.
Records show that he died on the 30th July 1918 from self inflicted wounds and that he is buried at Grange Gorman Military Cemetery in Rathmines, Co Dublin.
He is entitled to the QSA, KSA and 1915 Star Trio.
The medal has been worn as a brooch at one point with a pin being soldered to the back of the 1901 clasp. The medal has ghost dates.
Medal is on a modern ribbon.
The main ribbon suspender is warped but it is fully attached and swivels as it should.
