Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A 1916 ‘Easter Rising’ Constabulary Medal (Ireland) awarded to Constable M. Lavelle, Royal Irish Constabulary, for his gallantry in the defence of the Police Barracks at Gort, Co. Galway, on 25 April 1916

Constabulary Medal (Ireland), 2nd type, ‘Reward of Merit Royal Irish Constabulary’ (Constable Michael Lavelle No. 62279 1916) with top silver riband bar, edge nicks, minor digs to reverse, nearly extremely fine £3,000-£4,000

Royal Irish Constabulary Medal of Merit for Bravery granted 27 July 1916.

Michael Lavelle was born in Co. Mayo on 23 December 1879, and joined the Royal Irish Constabulary on 17 December 1906. He was stationed in Co. Armagh from 25 May 1907, and then in Co. Galway from 14 April 1908. He was awarded the Royal Irish Constabulary Medal of Merit for Bravery in 1916, for his role in the defence of the police barracks at Gort, Co. Galway, on Easter Tuesday, 25 April 1916, the day after the Rebellion had started in Dublin:

‘The rebellion commenced in Co. Galway at 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday 25 April 1916, by an attack on the police barracks at Gort, 10 miles from Galway. That attack continued until 10:30 a.m. The barracks was fired upon, and the windows were smashed. The rebels numbered 100 at first, but the number increased as time went on. Stone barricades were built across the road at each end of the village. The barracks was defended and held by five policemen, who were first called upon to surrender by a leader of the rebels, who threatened to blow up the barracks. The barracks was then attacked by the rebels with rifle fire, and bombs were exploded outside. The Police were called on twice to surrender through the Rev. Tully, but refused, and held on for over three hours.
The rebels then withdrew to Clarenbridge, where they were reinforced by others. An attack was made on Oranmore Barracks. The attack there commenced shortly after noon. The railway line and the telegraph poles were cut, and a large hole was made in the bridge. The barracks at Oranmore was defended by four policemen until relief came at 7:30 p.m. through the arrival of a party of police and military from Galway. The rebels took to flight towards Athenry in motor cars. Ten Sinn Feiners were arrested, and placed on board ship in Galway Bay.’ (1916 rebellion Handbook refers).