Volunteers from Eire who have won distinctions ...

[Gerard]

This makes me very proud!! Thanks Diane.

[Smudger Jnr]

Great work Daine, as always.

Regards
Tom

[James S]

Quite right Tom , excellent ......does "D" do house work like other women ????

Seriously - first rate info.
Thanks D

[dbf]

Thanks Gentlemen.




Forgot to mention: where an individual has a double-barrelled surname, I have listed them alphabetically under both.

[Verrieres]

Lance-Sergeant Patrick Daley, the Durham Light Infantry, was awarded the Military Medal...DBF


Hi ,Not sure where to post this so I`ve tagged it onto your original list .It concerns L/Sgt Daley who seved with 13 Platoon `C` Company The 9th Durham light Infantry he won his MM for the actions around the Primosole Bridge and the crossing of the Simeto in Sicily. his citation reads;-

As soon as his platoon reached the far bank enemy automatics and snipers opened up on all sides from the reeds and vineyards at very close range.Sgt Daley showed splendid leadership and great courage in the hand to hand fighting.
Further counter attacks by the enemy forced the platoon back into the river where the water was deep.Soon three men were shouting for assistance from drowning,Sgt Daly quickly threw off his equipment and re-entered the water in the face of close aimed small arms fire on the bank and regardless of danger endeavoured to rescue the drowning men.He remained in the water for fifteen minutes and suceeded in bringing ashore two of the men under constant fire of automatic weapons.Throughout this day Sgt Daley had inspired all members of his company by his great personal valour and magnificent leadership.

No. 4039943 Lance-Sergeant Patrick Daly, The

Durham Light Infantry (Limerick, Eire).LG 19 October 1943

Verrieres

[airborne medic]

DBF,
As you say only goes up to late 1944......I'm aware of several men who were born in the Republic who won awards for Arnhem....WO1 Briody, Major Dennison and Flight Lt Lod VC (apparently born in County Cork of a Welsh father and Irish mother)....are three you come instantly to mind....
I may be able to help further if you want to turn this into a bigger project......

[Paul Pariso]

Hello Diane,

Further to Airborne Medic's post, and I apologise if you already have it, but you might want to get hold of a copy of David Truesdale's excellent book "Brotherhood of the Cauldron". It deals with all Irishmen who fought with the 1st Airborne from North Africa to Arnhem. I think there's a copy on EBay at the moment!

[dbf]

Hello Gentlemen,

Thank you for your posts; very pleasing indeed to see the interest generated as well as ideas.

Don't see why we can't honour all those who served and were from, or had connections to, the Republic of Ireland.

I too have at least a couple of IGs who were recommended for awards and not listed in the publications; one of them my father's best friend, another whose details appear elsewhere on the forum as a result of a relative's enquiry.

Unless anyone has a better idea, I thought it best to add the names and units only on this thread with a link to further information elsewhere on the forum (new or pre-existing) - just as I have already been doing so far. As many are more expert than I, it would be best if you post up a thread yourself, eg either in Unit History or elsewhere for an individual, in order to keep this thread as easily searchable as possible.

I would be more than happy to check Times etc as with other names, for further background and add that for each individual if required.

It would be super if everyone would add names & units/links here to create a bigger list - I don't view this as a solo project by any means and would appreciate further information.

Think this is exactly the what the forum is all about.

Cheers,
Diane

[dbf]

Squadron Sergeant-Major James McRory, 2 Armoured Bn Irish Guards from Donegal, was awarded the Military Medal.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-history/6664-2nd-irish-guards-what-happening-april-1945-a.html

Guardsman Henry Trimble, 3 Bn Irish Guards, from Dublin, was awarded the Military Medal.

TRIMBLE, HENRY, MM, 3BN, 1COY, 1PL

[IrishSoldier]

Just came across this thread, great information... I am from what was "neutral" Eire during the war, both my grandfathers along with most of their brothers served in WW2 in all theatres, Army, Navy & Airforce... they never spoke about it and never got any formal recognition, all survived but two died of their injuries years later... still a contentious issue even after 70 years...