5252 Gunner Patrick Kearns - Late The Royal Artillery
Date	Summary of Events and Information	Reference
Apr 1876	Patrick Kearns was born to Mr and Mrs James Kearns of Ashford County Wicklow.	TNA-WO97/5259.
15th Aug 1894	Patrick joined The British Army in Dublin and after taking the various tests and being passed fit by the medical examination board he attested into The Royal Artillery. Declaring his age as 18 Years and 4 Months. He enlisted for 12 years, 7 years to be served with the regulars and the remaining 5 years with the 1st class Reserve. He was a big man standing 5 Feet and 10 5/8 Inches, weighing 140 lbs with a chest measurement of 35 inches and 37 inches fully expanded. He had a fair complexion, Hazel eyes and Brown hair. With no distinguishing marks.He gave his address as Crumlin, County Dublin. He Described his trade as a Farm labourer. He stated his religion as being a Roman Catholic. His parents were as previously stated and he declared the following. Brothers (3 older) Thomas, John and William.(1 younger) James.All still living with their father in Crumlin, Co. Dublin.	TNA-WO97/5259. Army Form B. 265.
15th Aug 1894 To 7th Feb 1895	Patrick started his basic training with the South Division Royal Artillery Sub Depot at Seaforth on 17thAug 1894. He was then posted to 15 Company Royal Artillery on the 22nd Oct 1894, from there he was posted to the Depot on the 31st Jan 1895.	TNA-WO97/5259. Army Form B.265.
8th Feb 1895 To 2th Oct 1897	Patrick had landed himself a posting in the sun with 22 Company Royal Artillery stationed in Malta. On the 25th Oct 1895 he passed a Gun Layers course of instruction. Granted good conduct pay at the rate of 1d per day on the 15th Aug 1896.	TNA-WO97/5259. Army Form B.265.
3rd Oct 1897 To 21st Dec 1901	Patrick had landed himself another posting in the Empire this time Jamaica. Granted good conduct pay at the rate of 2d per day on the 15th Aug 1900.	TNA-WO97/5259 Army Form B. 265.
22nd Dec 1901 To 30th Sept 1902	Patrick’s luck was running out he was going to war, The Boer War. On the 22nd Dec 1901 he was posted to 63 Company Royal artillery stationed in South Africa. On the 1st Jan 1902 63 Company Royal Artillery (RA) was re-designated 63 Company Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Was granted and paid his war gratuity on 31st Jul 1902. Was posted and in transit home 5th Sept 1902	TNA-WO97/5259. Army Form B. 265.
1899 To 1902	The Royal Garrison Artillery The RGA was represented in South Africa by many companies, but it is scarcely possible to give any detailed account of their work, admirable though it was. When they sailed it was contemplated that their services would be required in working the heavy guns against the defences of fortified towns, but no attempt was made by the enemy to hold any of their towns. The vaunted defences of Pretoria might as well never have existed. The RGA, if they did not get the work they expected, made themselves very useful. The Boers had thought the military world the feasibility of trailing about very heavy guns, pitted against which our Horse and Field Batteries were at a big disadvantage. To cope with these big guns the Naval Brigade and their weapons had at Ladysmith proved of immense value. After 30thOctober 1899 many more naval guns were brought ashore, and were used at, Colenso, Swartz Kop, opposite Vaal Krantz, Pieter’s Hill, Magersfontein and practically all the big engagements. On 2nd Mar 1900 there were in Natal six 4.7, one 6 inch and eighteen 12 pounders. Part of these were handed over to The Garrison Artillery in March 1900, and when the sailors went back to their ships in Aug / Sept 1900, many of their other guns were left in charge of The RGA, who also worked and moved about the country the 5 inch guns, for a time popularly called “cow guns”. During one phase of the war almost every column had a 4.7 or 5 inch gun, but as the enemy’s heavy artillery was captured or destroyed the need for pulling these monsters about decreased and ultimately they were seldom taken out.	John Stirling - Our Regiments in South Africa.
16th Oct 1902 To 14th Aug 1906	Patrick was back in a home posting at no 3 Depot. The gap in dates is probably the result of disembarkation leave. On the 15th Oct 1902 he was transferred to the 1st class Reserve. On the 14th Aug 1906 5252 Gunner Patrick Kearns was discharged (1stperiod). As a result of a clause in his contract, if at time of discharge he was serving beyond the seas he would be required to serve an extra year and as he was in South Africa at the critical time Patrick served eight instead of seven years with the colours. He gave his intended place of residence as 713 Pinkerton Street, Belfast. Honours and Awards The Queens South Africa Medal Clasps Two Transvaal And South Africa 1902	TNA-WO97/5259. Army Form B. 265. TNA - WO100/145.