Transport Medal 1899-1902. With clasp 'South Africa 1899-1902' (I. J. Hayes.)

The recipient was an Irish Merchant Navy Officer, from Dublin, Ireland, who was latter a Master Mariner

During the South African War, the recipient was Third Officer Ignatius Joseph Hayes, of the S.S. 'Orotava', Pacific Steamship Navigation Company

It is estimated that 52 x Transport Medals, all with clasp 'South Africa 1899-1902' were awarded to Masters in Command (x 4), other Officers (x 24), Engineers (x ), Surgeons (x and Pursers) of the Pacific Steamship Navigation Company, which company chartered 4 x vessels as 'Troop Transports' during the South African War, vis:

- S.S. 'Orotava': 21 x medals & clasp (1 x Master, 7 x other Officers, 7 x Engineers, 5 x Surgeons & 1 x Purser)
- S.S. 'Orissa': 10 x medals & clasp x (1 x Master, 5 x other Officers, 3 x Engineers & 1 x Surgeon)
- S.S. 'Ortona': 7 x medals & clasp (1 x Master & 3 x other Officers & 3 x Engineers)
- S.S. 'Orcana':14 x medals & clasp (1 x Master & 9 x other Officers, 3 x Engineers & 1 x Purser)

Note: The above includes 2 x other Officers, who made qualifying voyages on two different company ships, both of whom made voyages on the Orcana & Orotava

Medal(s) and clasp verification: The recipient's entitlement to the Transport Medal and clasp, as well as subsequent campaign medals for Great War service are confirmed per the below following referenced medal roll sources:

- Transport Medal. With clasp 'South Africa 1899-1902': ADM 171/46
- 1914-15 Star: ADM 171/92 shown as Lieutenant Commander R.N.R.
- British War Medal. Silver issue: ADM 171/92 shown as Lieutenant Commander R.N.R.
- Interallied Victory Medal: ADM 171/92 shown as Lieutenant Commander R.N.R.
- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration: GV issue. Service record ADM 340/65/21 refers to award of RD

S.S. Orotava: The 'Orotava' a British Screw Steamship built at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England, by the Naval Construction and Armaments Company (NC & A Co.) in 1889. Her gross tonnage was 5552.10 tons, length 430 feet, breadth 49.3 feet and depth 34.2 feet. She was built for Pacific Steam Navigation Company (of 31, James Street, Liverpool) and used as a passenger liner. After her launching in 1889, she made 2 x voyages for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company in 1889. Then under her new management of the Orient Line, she made her first sailing 6 June 1890 from Liverpool to Australia via Suez.during the South African War (1899 – 1902) she served as a troop ship but apart from this she remained in the Orient Line’s Australia service until 1906. On 14th December 1896 the Orotava sunk at Tilbury Docks after being serviced on her return from Australia, becoming unstable and taking in water. Five men lost their lives. The ship was then raised to dry dock and repaired for service again and an investigation launched into the cause of the sinking. Between 1901 – 1906 the name ‘Orient-Pacific Steam Line’ was used due to the close ties between the Pacific and the Orient lines. In 1906 the Pacific Steam Line Australian service was taken over by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. and the alliance between them and the Orient Line was dissolved in 1909. Orotava was then used in the West Indies service of the Royal Mail Line. During the Great War she served as H.M.S. Orotava, an armed merchant cruiser. She was broken up in 1919

Ignatius Joseph Hayes, son of Patrick Joseph Hayes (a Surgeon and Physician R.U.I. M.D. F.R.C.S.I) & Eliza Hayes (nee) was a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was born on, 11 February 1875. In 1901, the family (parents and siblings) of Ignatius Hayes, resided at, Merrion Square North, Trinity, Dublin, Ireland.

The medal with minor rim contact marks

Condition: Cleaned VF

Code: 24281