Medal Society of Ireland

H/24512 Private F.J. Wright

by John F. Wright

In February 2001 I managed to visit Dublin after being told of the wealth of information that there was available in reference to my Grandfather, H/24512 Private F.J. Wright.  He was Killed in Action in France on Friday the 30th of November 1917 aged 23 with the 8th (King’s Royal Irish) Hussars.

by Liam Dodd

An old man named Tom Connor belonging to Naas and who saw service in the Crimea and India Mutiny with the 3rd Buffs (East Kent Regiment) passed away in the workhouse infirmary last week at an advanced age. Deceased who was in receipt of a small pension, was an inmate of the workhouse in Naas for over twenty years.

by G. Callaghan

The two-volume history of the Royal Irish Regiment includes names of recipients of orders and decorations, both British and foreign. As would be expected, all pertain to the military activities of the personas involved. Bravery awards from civilian organisations are not listed although it is likely that at least a few could have been made by bodies such as the Royal Humane Society or the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. Unfortunately it would require a detailed examination of these Societies’ Case Books to uncover them. Recently, however, I came across two awards from another organisation – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

by Liam Dodd

According to my father, his uncle Edward Dodd served in the IRA during the War of Independence. After approaching the Irish Army, the only information they released was that he claimed membership of E company of the 1st Dublin Brigade. He was unmarried and his mother was Margaret Dodd of Annaville Ave., Newtownpark, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. There was other information, however, this was classified and would not be released. I approached our local TD, David Andrews, who at the time was Minister for Defence, to release these classified papers. This however, turned out to be another dead end as after a long search as no other papers could be found on Edward Dodd.

Taken from the RHS Annual Reports for 1901, 1906, 1907, 1911, 1913, 1917

With Irish content

Compiled by Bill Fevyer

Through the good offices of John Enticknap I recently acquired an interesting letter written by an Irish soldier serving in India at the end of the last century. It describes, in simple and authentic terms, a small engagement somewhere on the Northwest Frontier, one of hundreds at the time, in which there were casualties and in which the regular soldier earned his few shillings and perhaps one of those campaign medals which we collectors sometimes view with indifference. There are countless books written by officers but rarely does one encounter the narrative of the private soldier. It is published here as written, spelling mistakes and all.

by Eamonn O'Toole

This rather cumbersome title has been given to the latest Irish military medal, introduced in 1988 and destined to be issued very shortly. Irish troops have played a prominent part in UN peacekeeping operations since 1960 and a very large proportion of the country's Defence Forces have served abroad. They are of course entitled to the various service medals issued by the United Nations Organization but it was deemed appropriate by the government that there should also be a special Irish medal for such services. 

by John Hickey

This is the story of the late Capt Patrick O'Connor of Rathmore who lost his life in Dublin during the Rising of 1916. He was the son of the late Dannie Tom O'Connor, and a brother to the late Dannie O'Connor who resided in Ballycullane. Tom, another brother now also deceased, resided in the old home at Rathmore. His sister, Mrs. P.C. Buckley and the late Con Buckley, who married in the Millstreet area, lived in Cahirbarnagh.