Birth Registration

James Patrick Bolger was born in Monsea, near Ballycommon on 25/05/1879. His parents were William Bolger and Winifred Brehony. William was a local schoolteacher. 

On 08/07/1898, James attested for the Army Medical Corps in Marlyebone. Previously he had been living in Charleville. He was 18 and a half at the time. He had previously worked for Great Western Railways as a Dispenser. James was certified as fit for service with the Medical Staff Corps as part of the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

James saw action in South Africa with the R.M.F. during the Boer War and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Its possible that this coincides with his promotion to Sergeant. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to find any definitive record and many citations for the Boer War period are not recorded in the Gazette or were recorded at a later date. However he would have been awarded The Queens and the Kings South African Medals for his participation in the campaign.

Royal Munster Fusiliers form a Square

During WW1, in a list of servicemen from the Birr Road, for which there were many, it was recorded in 1914 that James was already at the frontline. His details were published in the Nenagh Guardian. 

James was eventually shipped to the Balkan Theatre where he saw action at Gallipoli. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Muster Fusiliers as a Sergeant. He was killed in action on 28/11/1915. He is commemorated on Panel 185 to 190 at the Helles Memorial, in Gallipoli. He was 37 and unmarried.

Soldiers Effects for James Bolger

Medal Awards WW1 for James Bolger