Family History in Sydney, NSW
Fourth great grandfather Patrick Duffy was born in Sligo, Ireland in 1786 . He worked as a labourer until 1805 when he enlisted in the British Army 3rd Regiment of Foot (known as the Buffs). At the time of his enlistment in Sligo, for “unlimited service”, he was aged 19 and, at six feet, he was unusually tall, towering over most of his peers. During service, Private Duffy travelled to many countries across Europe and saw action numerous times. In 1810, during leave back in Sligo, he married a local girl, Bridget Conlan. After his marriage Patrick returned to his regiment and fought in the Peninsula War, in Spain, where he was wounded in the left thigh by a musket ball in May 1811. In that fierce battle he was described as a brave soldier. Duffy recovered and by 1814, he had been promoted to corporal and was fighting in the closing stages of the Peninsula War, in the south-east of France. He was wounded again by a musket ball, this time in the right thigh. Patrick...

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