TIPPERARY MEDALS

COUNTY TIPPERARY MEN AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR BRAVERY Eighteen men from or connected with County Tipperary were recommended for and received The Victoria Cross medal, which is Britain's highest military award for bravery. The County Tipperary is notable as being the home of the only three men from the same family all to have been awarded The Victoria Cross. Although there are other instances of two brothers, or a father & son, winning that medal, the Gough family of Clonmel are unique in having won three V.C.'s. Another Tipperary man, J. F. O'Brien, was nominated for a V.C. , but died on leave at home in Cashel in 1915 before it could be awarded to him.
In the table of Victoria Cross medal recipients below, you can click on the medal images to link to another website giving details of the actual medal-citations of these men. There, you can read the details of their heroic acts and the campaign they were involved in. Then hit your browser's "BACK" button or re-type this page's URL in the browser's address box to return to this page of The Fame of Tipperary Group's website "THE IRISH IN UNIFORM" at http://homepage.eircom.net/~tipperaryfame/medals.htm
BRADSHAW,William. Assistant Surgeon, served with 50th.Regiment in The Crimean Campaign, then with the 90th. Light Infantry Regiment (later called The Cameronian Scottish Rifles) in India	Born Thurles, County Tipperary 12th. February 1830. Awarded Crimean Medal with Sebastobol Bar, & Turkish Crimean Medal	Awarded The VictoriaCross for bravery at Lucknow during The Indian Mutiny. Medal on view in the RAMC Museum, Aldershot, England.	Died Thurles, 9th. March 1861, buried in St. Mary's churchyard, Thurles. There is a memorial mural inside the church.
CUNNINGHAM, John Corporal, 2nd. Battalion, The Leinster Regiment	Born Thurles, County Tipperary, 27 October 1890. Memorial Tablet in St. Mary's Church, Thurles.	Awarded The Victoria Cross, for conspicuous bravery on 12 April 1917 at Bois-en-Hache, France	Died in hospital of wounds in France 16 April 1917. Buried in Barlin Cemetery, Noeux-les-Mines, Grave 39, Row A, Plot 1
DONOHOE, Patrick. Private, 9th. Lancer's (The Queen's Regiment)	Born Nenagh, County Tipperary 1820	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery on 28th. September 1857 at Bolundshuhur, during The Indian Mutiny	Died in Ashbourne, County Meath, 16th. August, 1876. Buried in Donaghmore R.C. churchyard
ESMONDE, Eugene Kingsmill, Lieutenant Commander, Officer- Commanding 825 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. "Daedelus". Pilot of Fairey Swordfish fighter/torpedo-bomber	Born Dromanagh, County Tipperary, son of Dr. John J. & Mrs. July Esmonde. Former flying boat captain of Australian & British mail service. Joined Fleet Air Arm of The Royal Navy in 1939. Served in aircraft carriers H.M.S"Courageous", H.M.S."Victorious" & H.M.S. "Daedelus"	Awarded the Victoria Cross for leading 6 Swordfish aircraft of 825 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm in an attack on 12 February 1942 upon a German battleship group ("Scharnhorst", Gneisenau" & "Prinz Eugen")	Died on 12 February 1942, when his aircraft crashed in flames into The English Channel during the attack. Buried in Naval Registration Grave No: 187, (R.C.) Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent, England.
FITZGIBBON, Arthur	Born County Tipperary	Awarded the Victoria Cross when working as an Hospital Apprentice of the Indian Medical Establishment at the seige of North Taku Fort in China on 21 August 1860
GARVIN, Stephen Colour Sergeant	Born Cashel, County Tipperary, son of James Garvin and Frances (nee) Ryan, baptised 19 August 1825. Joined 64th. Regiment July 1842 aged 16. Transferred to 60th. Rifles, Kings Rifle Corps, India.. Later became Sergeant Major in the 64th.	Awarded The Victoria Cross for gallantry on 23 June 1857 during an action in India. Also held Punjab War Medal with two clasps, Indian Mutiny War Medal withone clasp, and Distinguished Conduct Medal.	Took part in Punjab Campaign, Mooltan & Gujerat Campaigns,Indian Mutiny Campaign. Delhi. Was married 4 times had two daughters. Died 24 November 1874, buried in cemetery of St. Andrew's Church, Cashel.
GOUGH, Sir Charles John Stanley, General 5th. Bengal European Cavalry (later called The Munster Fusiliers). Later became Major General of The Hyderabad Contingent (1885) (Cousin of Viscount Gough, 2nd. son of George Gough, brother of Brigadier General Sir Hugh Henry Gough V.C., father of Brigadier General John Edmund Gough V.C.)	Born County Tipperary 28th. January 1832. Joined Bengal Cavalry at age 16. Served in Indian Mutiny, Afghan War, Punjab Campaign	Received a Brevet Majority and The Victoria Cross on 15th. August 1857, 18th. August 1857, 27th. January 1858, 23rd. February 1858 during the Indian Mutiny	Died Innislonagh, Clonmel, County Tipperary 6th. September 1912, buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel
GOUGH, Sir Hugh Henry joined 3rd. Bengal Cavalry as a Lieutenant in 1853 (3rd. son of George Gough, brother of Major General Sir Charles John Stanley Gough V.C.)	Born Rathonan House, Clonmel, County Tipperary 14th. November 1833. Served in Abysinnia, The Afghan War and The Indian Mutiny	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery during the Indian Mutiny	Died 12th. May 1909, aged 76 serving in The Tower of London. Buried with military honours in Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
GOUGH, John Edmund. Son of Sir C. J. S. Gough,V.C. & nephew of Sir. H. H. Gough,V.C. NOTE: The GOUGH's are the only family to have been awarded 3 V.C.'s	Born 1872, probably in India (Chittagong?). Took part in military campaigns in Africa - Abysinnia, South Africa & Somalia	Awarded Brevet of Major, and the King's & Queen's Medals with five clasps. Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery on 22nd. April 1903 at Daratoleh, Somaliland	Died at Estaire, North-East France 22nd. February 1915 (aged 43) of wounds received in action two days previously.
HACKETT, Thomas Bernard. Lieutenant Colonel, 23rd. Regiment Royal Welch Fusiliers	Born the son of Thomas Hackett, Moor Park, Riverstown, County Tipperary on 15th. June 1836. Served in the Crimean Campaign and in the Indian Campaign	Awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on 18th. November 1857 at Secundra Bragh, Lucknow, India during the Indian Mutiny, aged 21.	Died near Arraboy, County Offaly 5th. October 1880.Buried in the HACKETT family vault, Lockeen Churchyard, Borrisokane, County Tipperary
MOYNEY, John. Lance-Sergeant, 2nd. Battalion, Irish Guards	Born 8th. January 1895 Rathdowney, County Laois	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery on 12 & 13 September 1917 Broembroeck, Flanders, Belgium, aged 22	Died 10th.November 1980. Buried in Roscrea, R.C. Cemetery, County Tipperary
MURPHY, Michael	Born in County Tipperary. Served during The Indian Mutiny as a Farrier in the 2nd. Battalion of The Military Train. Later became Farrier-Major of the 7th.Hussars	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery in India on15 April 1858 saving the life of the Adjutant of the 3rd. Sikh Cavalry during the pursuit of Koer Singh's army from Azimghur	Died on 5 March 1872
O'BRIEN, James Francis	Born in Cashel, County Tipperary	Nominated for The Victoria Cross, but died before it could be awarded to him. Did receive the French "Legion d'Honneur"	Died at home, 16 December 1916. Buried in The Rock of Cashel Graveyard
O'MEARA, Martin	Born 31 December 1882, Curcragha, Terryglass,County Tipperary. Migrated to Western Australia & joined Australian Army.	Awarded The Victoria Cross for outstanding courage at Poziers, France 9-12 August 1916, serving with Australian Infantry, 16th. Battalion	Died in Claremont,Perth, Western Australia 20 December 1935, aged 52
Field Marshal ROBERTS, Frederick Sleigh (The First Earl Roberts) Created an Earl and made a K.G. (Knight of the Garter) in 1901 Became Commander-in-Chief of The British Army 1901-1904	Born Cawnpore, India 1832. Served in the Bengal Artillery. Son of Sir Abraham Roberts, his mother came from Tipperary	Awarded the Victoria Cross in 1851 during the Indian Mutiny, aged 19. Became a Commander in the Boer War, South Africa. Relieved the seige of Kimberly in 1900	Died on The Western Front in France 1914
ROUPELL, George Rowland Patrick, born in County Tipperary 4 April 1892. Son of Colonel F. & Mrs. E.P. Roupell, nee Bryden. Educated Sandhurst Military academy, commissioned as Second Lieutenant 2 March 1912, promoted Lieutenant 29 April 1914	Went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force with the East Surrey Regiment, August 1914. Fought at Battles of Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne, Aisne & the First Battle of Ypres	Awarded The Victoria Cross in April 1915 for maintaining command of a Company under heavy fire on Hill 60 at Ypres, Belgium. He also received The Order of St. George of Russia	Promoted Adjutant East Surrey Regiment, then G.S.O.3 XVIIth. Army Corps & G.S.O.3 Third Army, later became Brigade Major of 105th. Army Brigade December 1916
RYAN, John. Lance Corporal	Born Barnsleigh, County Tipperary 1839. Joined 65th. (York & Lancaster) Regiment. Fought in The Maori War.	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery near Cameron Town, New Zealand on 7 September 1863	John Ryan drowned near Tuaka, New Zealand on 29 December 1863 whilst rescuing a friend.
SOMERS, James. Sergeant, 1st. Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers	Born 12th. June 1893 Belturbet, County Cavan. His father lived in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary.	Awarded The Victoria Cross for bravery 1 & 2 July 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign, in Turkey, aged 22	Died 7th. May 1918 in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary, from the after-effects of gas poisoning, buried in St. Kiernan's churchyard.
This page will be updated with the details of Tipperary winners of other medals from other conflicts as FOTG continue their research.

This list below gives details of Tipperary medal-winners of World War 1. The list is in alphabetical order, and the medals for each person are not shown in order of "importance". However, note the French "Legion d'Honneur" medal awarded to J. F. O'Brien of Cashel, who sadly died before he could receive the V.C. (the highest award for bravery given by Britain). TheLegion d'Honneur is the highest bravery award given by France - a rare honour for someone not born a Frenchman. World War 2 medal-winners will be listed later on this page.
NAME	FROM	UNIT	MEDAL	CITATION
AHERN, J	Tipperary	Leinster Regiment	South African War Medal
ARTHUR, J. A.	Cashel	Life Guards	South African War Medal
BANKS, F	Carrick-on-Suir	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Medal
BANNON, M	Roscrea	Cheshire Regiment	Military Medal
BIANCONI, Mary	Cashel	First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Corps	Military Medal
BOLGER, J	County Tipperary	Royal Munster Fusiliers	Distinguished Conduct Medal
BURNS, W	Tipperary	The King's Liverpool Regiment ("The Liverpool Irish")	Military Medal
CAWLEY, J	County Tipperary	Irish Guards	Military Medal
CHAMBERS, A	Carrick-on-Suir	19th.Hussars	Good Conduct Medal, 1915 Star, King's South Africa Medal, Queen's South Africa Medal
CUNNINGHAM, J	Thurles	Leinster Regiment	Victoria Cross
FAHEY, (Father)	Rossmore, later of Perth, Australia	Chaplain Major to Australian troops	Distinguished Service Order for service in Gallipoli and France
FANNING, John	Knockgraffon, Cahir	Connaught Rangers, 6th. Battalion	Delhi Durbar 1911 medal for service in India, 1914 Star
HOURIGAN, W	Tipperary	18th. Hussars	Good Conduct Medal, King's South Africa Medal, Queen's South Africa Medal
IRELAND, H. R. H.	Clonmel	3rd. Leinster Regiment, attached to Royal Munster Fusiliers	Military Cross
KELLY, Edmund	Newtown, New Inn, Co. Tipperary	Military Chaplain	Military Cross
LUCAS, G	Roscrea	Royal Irish Rifles	Military Medal
Mc CARTHY, D	Carrick-on-Suir	Royal Garrison Artillery	Military Medal
Mc GRATH, J	Spittal	4th. Hussars	1914 Star
MAHER, J	Mullinahone	The Border Regiment	Military Medal
MORRISEY, P	Cashel	Royal Air Force	Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) [1944]
MOULSON, C.E.		Life Guards, 11th. Hussars, (Cavalry)	Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
MOYNEY, J	Roscrea	Irish Guards	Victoria Cross
O'BRIEN, J	Tipperary Town	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Medal
O'BRIEN, J. F.	Cashel	Royal Field Artillery	Medaille Militaire Legion d'Honneur, Was recommended for The Victoria Cross, but died at home on leave before it could be awarded.
O'MEARA, M	Terryglass	Australian Infantry	Victoria Cross
POWER, E	Clogheen	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Cross
ROUPELL, G. R. P.	County Tipperary	East Surrey Regiment	Victoria Cross, (Russian) Order of St. George
RYAN, C	Cappawhite	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Medal
RYAN, D	Drombane	Irish Guards	Military Medal
SHIELS, M	Thurles	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Medal
SOMERS. J	Cloughjordan	Inniskilling Fusiliers	Victoria Cross
TOBIN, P	Templetuohy	7th. Leinster Regiment	Military Medal
WALL, J	Cahir	Royal Field Artillery	Distinguished Conduct Medal
WALSH, W	Carrick-on-Suir	Royal Irish Regiment	Military Medal

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