Medal Society of Ireland

by James Scannell

Military doctors on active service will encounter many types of wounds and injuries that would not normally be encountered in general practice, such as gunshot and shrapnel wounds, burns from various types of projectiles, compression injuries caused by explosions, head injuries and various types of fractures. Military doctors often have to decide who dies and who lives when dealing with serious injured patients on the battlefield, as priority has to be given to those who are likely to survive.

This medal, which is the same for all three classes is in gold for the first class, silver for the second and bronze for the third and is in the form of a rather over-embellished Celtic cross which bears a resemblance to some of the American 'Society' awards. It is 44mm in diameter.

"A hell of an experience"

by Richard Butler

An Irish Soldier in the Crimean War By Raphael Clarke

by Raphael Clarke

While visiting an Irish Antique and Collectibles Fair on a Sunday morning recently, I noticed a Crimean War Medal named to a Dublin man. He came from the north inner city area of Grange Gorman. An area of Dublin where some of my family live. I purchased this Crimean War medal with Sebastopol Clasp, named to Corporal later Sergeant John Monks 13th Regiment Prince Albert’s light infantry, which came with a Photocopy of his service papers. I then set about researching the life of this Irish man, who had taken part in the siege of the Russian Naval Base of Sebastopol during the Crimean War.

by Philip Lecane

Samuel Penrose-Welsted was the eldest son of Mr S.Q. Penrose-Welsted of Ballywater, Castletownroche, Co. Cork. Educated at Rossall, he subsequently attended Sandhurst and was gazetted to the Royal Irish Regiment in 1909.  Upon the out-break of war he was assigned to the 5th Battalion of the regiment. According to the regimental history, 5th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment was raised at the Royal Barracks, Dublin.¹ The battalion was subsequently transferred to Fermoy and later to Longford.  In May 1915 – as part of 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division – the battalion was moved to Basingstoke.  Comprised mostly of miners and artificers, in June the battalion became the pioneer battalion for the division.²

by Eddie Sullivan

I recently read that during the second world war General George C. Patton said “I would rather have a German Division in front of me than a French one behind.”

This struck a chord and I remembered a small piece that appeared in the newsletter of the Old Comrades Association of the Royal Irish Regiment. It was the obituary notice for CQMS FR Blower who had passed away on 30 Sept 1979 aged 84. 

by M. Kavanagh

812054 Private Andrew Wickham, serving with “A” Coy, 36th Bn, was K.I.A. at the Battle of the Tunnell in Elizabethville on 16 December 1961, aged 25 years. (JOURNAL No. 21, p8). On 26 September 1992, in a simple but moving ceremony at Barntown, County Wexford, a memorial was unveiled to his memory by his son, Pte Andrew Wickham Jnr, presently serving with the Air Corps. Although Pte Wickham is buried in the Congo Plot of Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, it was decided that the memorial should be in his home parish of Barntown. The plan was initiated by the Co. Wexford Committee of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA).

by Michael Kavanagh

George White was born at Whitehall, Ballmena, Co. Antrim in July 1835 and, in the tradition of many Anglo-Irish families, was educated in England. He was commissioned in the 27th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1853 and saw action in the Indian Mutiny and the North West Frontier as his baptism of fire. He was promoted Captain in 1863 and transferred to the Gordon Highlanders (92nd). In 1875 he became a Major and took part in the Second Afghan War, in the course of which he won his Victoria Cross. At the battle of Charasia on 6 October 1879, Major White led an attack in person against a heavily fortified hill with two companies of his regiment. On coming up to the enemy after an exhausting climb under heavy fire, his men were faltering and, immediate action being necessary, White took a rifle and, charging forward alone, killed the enemy commander. This act so intimidated the Afghans that they fled round the edge of the hill and the position was secured by the 92nd.

by Liam Dodd

1st Btn. 24th Foot