New Zealand War Medal (Taranaki), dated 1865 to 1866, 1769 Pte Michael Clarke, 2nd Bn 18th Royal Ir

.Medal comes with extensive copied documentation which i have lamented medical papers,service records etc New Zealand War Medal (Taranaki), dated 1865 to 1866, 1769 Pte Michael Clarke, 2nd Bn 18th Royal Irish Regiment, an Irishman from Galway who saw long service.
Officially impressed: "1769 Michl Clarke, 2nd
Bn 18th Ryl Irish Regt"
Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers.This is copied record of the history behind medal (not written by me).
Michael Clarke, was born in Galway, Ireland circa 1845.
Aged 19, whilst working in Dublin as a Servant, he signed on with the 18th Royal Irish Regiment on 2nd May 1864, receiving a £1 enlistment bounty and free kit.
He was then posted over to New Zealand Where his regiment was fighting in the Taranaki War in New Zealand, earning this medal, the medal roll entry noting that battle he took part in. He saw the following postings:
Home, 3rd May 1864 - 5th Oct 1864
New Zealand, 6th Octr 1864 - 23rd Feb 1870
Australia, 24th Feb 1870 - 19th Aug 1870
Home, 20th Aug 1870 - 5th Oct 1874
India, 6th Oct 1874 - 30th April 1880
Afghanistan, 1st May 1880 - 18th March 1881
India, 19th March 1881 - 18th Dec 1883
Home, 19th Dec 1883 - 11th March 1884
Whilst still serving in New Zealand, on 4th September 1868, he was found to have deserted the Army, and did not rejoin for over 2 months until 12th November 1868.
On his return he was tried and imprisoned by court martial for absence and making away with necessaries, spending 16th Nov
to 27th Dec in prison.
He would soon after be "Imprisoned by Commanding Officer" from 31st Jan to 6th Feb 1869. He transferred over from the 2nd to the 1st Battalion on 1st October 1874, and would be appointed Lance Corporal on 23rd December 1877, only to be "Deprived of Lance Stripe" on 23rd April 1878.
He would then fight in the Afghanistan War of 1878-80, earning another medal.
After that he returned home and continued his service until his eventual discharge on 11th march 1884 after over 19 years of service. After almost 20 years of campaigning in New Zealand, Australia, India and Afgahnistan he was found unfit for further service due to "General Debility" his surgeon citing his taxing service in Afghanistan.