Orders, Decorations and Medals

Michael McGoona

Michael McGoona joined the Irish defence force reserves in June 1954, retiring as Commandant in October 1995. His interest in medals was kindled by successive members of his amily; his father and two elder brothers fought in World War 2, while his two grandfathers, great-grandfather and a great-uncle served in the Leinster Regiment in the Great War.

As a young man, Michael remembers that "there were lots of medals in the house" and he would talk about the activities of the Leinsters in the Great War with his grandparents. With many of his grandfathers' comrades in arms still alive in the early 1960s, Michael set about collecting medals to the Leinsters, who recruited locally to him in county Meath. How successful he has been is reflected in the next 250 lots in this sale, which together form the very best collection of medals to the Leinsters that has ever appeared at auction.

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