Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy

Lincolnshire Regiment Medal for Gallant Conduct in Ireland 1920, regimental medal in silver, 35 mm, the reverse inscribed ‘Pte. E. E. Bowes, for Gallant Conduct in Ireland. 20th December 1920’, with ring suspension, good very fine and very rare £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy.

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During the campaign in the South of Ireland, the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment was stationed in Tipperary. The following details are taken from an official report of an ambush on a patrol of the regiment on 20 December 1920, in which Private Bowes participated and was awarded the regimental medal: ref. Balmer R205.

‘At Nine-Mile House, near Mullinahone, on December 20th, 1920, a cycle patrol consisting of Sergt. Dunderdale, seven other ranks, and two constables were attacked from three sides by civilians estimated at one hundred men. The patrol immediately abandoned their cycles and returned the fire for some time, and then retired singly, keeping their cycles in view and keeping up the fire. When the firing had eased down a little, one of the soldiers stood up and challenged the rebels to come out and fight, the reply being in the form of a burst of fire. Later, a party of about twenty rebels came cautiously on to the road and made a rush for the cycles, thereupon the patrol opened a rapid fire and most of the rebels fell. Owing to the danger of being surrounded, the patrol then retired. The patrol had no casualties, and all received a Regimental Silver Medal presented by the Commanding Officer for gallantry.’