Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A 1920 Constabulary Medal (Ireland) group of seven awarded to Constable J. A. C. Mumford, Royal Irish Constabulary, late Gunner, Royal Artillery, and later Inspector, Essex Police, for his gallantry in the defence of the Police Barracks at Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary, 5 June 1920

Constabulary Medal (Ireland), 2nd type, ‘Reward of Merit Royal Irish Constabulary’ (Constable John A. C. Mumford 70750. 1920) lacking top silver riband bar; British War and Victory Medals (316146 Gnr. J. A. C. Mumford. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (316146 Gnr. J. A. C. Mumford. R.A.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1953; Police Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Inspr. John A. C. Mumford) minor edge nicks, nearly extremely fine (7) £3,000-£4,000

John Arthur Cyril Mumford was born at West Ham on 16 January 1898, and served during the Great War as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force). He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary on 27 December 1919, and was stationed at Capawhite, Co. Tipperary, from 18 March 1920. He was awarded the Royal Irish Constabulary Medal of Merit for Bravery in 1920, for his role in the defence of the police barracks at Cappawhite on 5 June 1920. The Irish Times, contained the following account:
‘The attack on Cappawhite Police Barracks began about 2:00 a.m. this morning with hand grenades and rifles. Fire was directed from behind a wall at the rear and from houses at the front and side. The occupants of these houses were ordered out and escorted by the raiders outside the line of fire. The garrison of ten- two Sergeants and eight Constables- replied with bombs and rifle fire. The Courthouse, which is a continuation of the barracks and forms its eastern wing, had been occupied by the police for some time. In a house facing the gable-end of the courthouse the attackers bored a hole in the roof, through which they threw bombs and petrol on the roof of the courthouse and barracks. Bottles of petrol and pieces of cotton saturated with petrol were also flung, the object being to set the building on fire. From the houses in front similar operations were carried out. All the time a fierce fusillade was kept up, and the crash of the bombs made a deafening noise. The door in the gable of the courthouse took fire, but the flames became extinguished before much damage was done. Through a porthole in the gable wall the garrison replied with rifle fire.
When the attack had lasted for half an hour there was a shout of “Up Kilmallock” from the attackers, who also called upon the garrison to surrender. The garrison replied with a salvo of rifle shots and bombs, and the battle was resumed with great fierceness. After about an hour and a half there was another demand for surrender, with a similar result. At a comparatively early stage of the battle the house of Mrs. Guerin, in the street fronting the barrack, which had been occupied by the attackers, took fire, and the attacking party left it and went to other premises. The garrison had been throwing out Verey lights and rockets, the explosions from the latter adding to the general din. It was now broad daylight and approaching 6:00 a.m., and the attackers, apparently having got word that relief was coming to the garrison, began to withdraw. Desultory firing was kept up for a while.’

Mumford resigned from the Royal Irish Constabulary on 14 September 1920, owing to his father’s health, and subsequently joined Essex Police on 10 January 1921. Advanced Inspector, he was awarded the Police Long Service medal in October 1951, and, at the time of his retirement on 16 January 1958 he as the Inspector in charge of Chelmsford Rural Sub-Division, which comprised 15 Stations. He died in Chelmsford in March 1984.