Description
India General Service 1895, Punjab Frontier and Samana – 2nd battalion Royal Irish Regiment.
India General Service 1895, clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, 301 Pte J. Pepper 2d Bn Ryl Ir Reg
Thomas Pepper was a 22 year old barber from Wexford with previous service in the 3rd Bn Royal Irish Regiment (Wexford Militia) when he attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Wexford on 17 July 1890. He was 5’ 8¼”, 126 lbs, 33” chest, fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He had a scar outside his left elbow. His next of kin was given as his father Thomas and his mother Hannah of Lambert’s Lane, Wexford.
Pepper joined at the Depot, Clonmel. After 4 months, on 18 November 1890, he was posted to the 1st Bn Royal Irish Regiment at Colchester. After just 3 months there he was posted to the 2nd Bn in India, embarking on HMS Crocodile on 26 February 1891. Pepper spent the usual 6 years in India (in his case 6 years and 333 days) at; Lucknow, Fategargh, Jubbulpore, on active service on the Frontier and at Rawal Pindi.
On leaving the 2nd Bn at Rawal Pindi on 17 December 1897, his conduct was described as ‘very good’ and his habits ‘temperate.’ Pepper sailed home on the SS Simla on 1 January 1898 to take his discharge. He arrived home on 24 January and transferred to the Reserve on 26 January 1898.
Pepper was recalled from the Reserve on 4 December 1899 for the war in South Africa. He was found medically unfit for Colour service and was re-transferred to the Reserve. He was recalled for a further medical examination on 11 February 1900. Once again he was found medically unfit and this time he was discharged from the Reserve altogether.
Condition – GVF, lacquered.
