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  • The book was written by T E Toomey Late 1st Bn Royal Irish and published in 1890 by Alfred Boot & Son. It's worth between £90-100 depending on condition. I understand that there are not many of them around.
    I google because I'm not young enough to know everything.
    Nemo Mortalium Omnibus Horis Sapit

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    • Originally posted by jembo View Post
      The book was written by T E Toomey Late 1st Bn Royal Irish and published in 1890 by Alfred Boot & Son. It's worth between £90-100 depending on condition. I understand that there are not many of them around.
      I'm a printer myself and as you can see the casebound cover is stained here and there. It would not be worth a great amount. It cost 5 shillings when it was published.

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      • I would never describe what was obviously a labour of love as rubbish but I was referring to its monetary value. Do you have a copy of it yourself Jembo?

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        • Your very welcome to have my copy Jembo if you would like .

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          • No problem Jembo. Good look with your relocation. If your are downsizing you will have to do a lot of culling.

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            • Originally posted by jembo
              10 facts about James Magennis – the only Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War II

              THIS YEAR marks the thirtieth anniversary of the death of James Joseph Magennis, the only Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War II.

              The Victoria Cross is the highest possible military honour for valour in the face of the enemy, awarded to members of the British armed forces.

              After the war Magennis returned home to a divided city. Despite becoming something of a local celebrity, he was derided by republicans who saw his achievements as betrayal and overlooked by Belfast City council who were hesitant to celebrate a working class roman catholic.

              Ten facts about James Joseph Magennis

              1. He was born James McGinnes on 27 October 1919 at Majorca Street, West Belfast as a child he attended St Finian’s Primary School on the Falls Road

              2. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1935, aged just sixteen, he signed up spelling his name Magennis

              3. In December 1941, Magennis was serving on the destroyer when it struck a mine off the cost of Tripoli, Libya. The crew were evacuated and the ship was intentionally sunk to prevent its capture by the enemy

              4. In 1942, he joined the submarine branch and trained as a diver. In September 1943 he took part in Operation Source, disabling the German battleship Tirpitz

              5. In July 1945, Magennis joined Operation Struggle serving under Lieutenant Ian Fraser. They were tasked with sinking the 10,000 ton Japanese cruiser Takao. The ship was located near the coast Singapore providing anti-aircraft bombardment. The Role of Magennis was to attach limpet mines to the bottom of the cruiser, a difficult and dangerous job working with explosives, under the water

              6. Despite a myriad of problems including a leaking oxygen tank, Magennis was required to go into the water with the explosives not once, but twice. It was this nerve-wracking work that earned him his Victoria Cross

              7. In 1949, he left the Navy and returned to Belfast. The people of the city raised more than £3,000 as part of a shilling fund for him, however he fell on hard times and sold his Victoria Cross

              8. In 1955, he moved to Yorkshire where he worked as an electrician. In the last years of his life, he suffered from ongoing health problems, he eventually died on February, 11, 1986 of lung cancer

              9. Memorials to him can be found on both the inner wall of Bradford Cathedral, where his memorial service was held and on the wall of his former home on Carncaver Road, East Belfast. A blue memorial plaque bearing his name is attached to the front of the Royal Naval Association building on Great Victoria Street, Belfast

              10. Megennis’ Victoria Cross was purchased in 1986 by Lord Ashcroft for £29,000, it can now be seen in the Imperial War Museum’s Lord Ashcroft Gallery in London


              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Source
              That's what's called cutting the mustard.
              We'll sail be the tide....aarghhhh !!

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              • Bushmills is one town where you keep your head down if you are , shall we say from the Roman persuasion . A lovely place though , not far from the Giants Causeway . Good stuff Jembo , I always took for granted that Idi Amin was just humoured wearing all his medals including the Vic Cross but it didn't seem to have gone unnoticed .

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                • One for the collection https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/...vc-1915-online
                  We'll sail be the tide....aarghhhh !!

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                  • Irish recipient of VC honoured in Glasnevin .

                    vc.jpg
                    Members of the Irish Air Corps hold wreaths during the ceremony to mark the unveiling of a Victoria Cross Stone in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, dedicated to Major Edward "Mick" Mannock VC. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

                    Read more at: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/vc...evin-1-8583041

                    Edward Corringham “Mick” Mannock was a member of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force during the First World War. Born on May 24 1887, the proud Cork man was a pioneer of fighter aircraft tactics in aerial warfare. Mr Mannock was the most highly decorated British fighter pilot of the First World War and was eventually credited with 73 combat victories. He died on July 26, 1918, when his aircraft was shot down over France. John Green, chairman of Glasnevin Trust said that Mannock’s personal story was an accurate insight into life before Irish independence. “If you want to get an insight into the complexity of our history, even a shallow dive into the life and times of ‘Mick’ Mannock will open your eyes. The son of a bigamist, deserter, and raised by his abandoned mother from Ballincollig, he fended for himself from an early age. “He was an Irish nationalist, a home ruler, a trade unionist and a socialist who believed the world war would finally give the ‘downtrodden’ their chance.” Adding that Mannock’s birthday, birth place and how he died all remain disputed, Mr Green said: “Mick Mannock poses more questions than he answers.” During his speech Mr Kehoe said: “As a member of government it is my great privilege to partake in events that provide an opportunity to look back on the journey we have taken with a focus on our joint history. Events such as today, bring to mind the sacrifice, courage and idealism of our forebears who laid the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy.” The British Ambassador to Ireland, Robin Barnett, said that he was honoured to be involved in the commemoration to recognise such an important officer in the RAF’s history. “The outstanding gallantry of the proud Irish nationalist Major Edward Corringham ‘Mick’ Mannock, one of the most decorated officers ever to serve in British uniform, reminds us of the contribution made by so many brave men and women from both of our islands during critical and at times complex episodes in our shared history.” During the ceremony, a historical reflection was read by Corporal Michael Whelan of the Air Corps, wreaths were laid at the Cross of Sacrifice, and a minute’s silence was followed by a piper’s lament and the Last Post and Reveille. • Edward Mannock was working in Turkey when he was interned at the outbreak of war. He returned to Britain in April 1915. Despite only qualifying as a pilot and entering the war in March 1917, by the time he was killed over France in July the following year, Mannock had been promoted to major, downed at least 61 enemy aircraft and earned a Victoria Cross which was awarded posthumously.

                    Read more at: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/vc...evin-1-8583041
                    Last edited by bojangles; 28-07-2018, 12:07 AM.

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                    • Alan Leek

                      Hello. Hope this message finds you. Earlier attempts have failed I fear. My book, 'Frederick Whirlpool VC - Australia's Hidden Victoria Cross' Big Sky Publishing, Sydney (2018) has just been released. In it, you will find that Whirlpool was born Humphrey James in Co, Carlow, Ireland on 17 July, 1831 and when a child, moved to Dundalk, Co, Louth. He is another Irish VC recipient and not English as claimed. He laid this subterfuge himself.
                      I have summarised his story in his Wikipedia entry, which you might find helpful. The book is described at www.bigskypublishing.com.au Best regards. Alan Leek .

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                      • Frederick Whirlpool VC

                        Hello Jembo. Humphrey James' parents were Humphrey James snr and Lavinia, nee Murphy, both from Carlow. Lavinia's mother was Lecky, so his Irish roots go back some way. He was raised in Dundalk and his school, now Dundalk Grammar, produced three VC's.
                        Of course the Whirlpool VC was awarded in India and I'm sorry if I have given the impression otherwise. In my book and promo's I definitely say that his VC was presented in Australia. He has never been accepted as an Australian VC, nor has he been listed as such. The problem with his VC not being included in the overall collection at the AWM is that it was originally lent to the State Library (Mitchell) in Sydney, but after Denys Croll's death, it was placed on permanent loan at the AWM, but there was no Hall of Valour at that time. It was placed in the colonial collection as that was the thinking at the time. Admittedly, it was not good enough and the errors of the past have been rectified. He is not listed amongst the 100 Australian VC recipients.
                        Denys Croll was Irish born, but came to Australia as a small child. He became a teacher in Australia and was a medal collector. His prescience saw the value of the Whirlpool VC to Australia as being the first pinned to the breast of a man in an Australian uniform, despite it being earned in India in the service of the HEIC. The cross is therefore of historical importance to Australia, where James lived for 40 of his 67 years. It is good to see him listed as an Irish recipient. Regards Alan Leek

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                        • One very brave man

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                          • Originally posted by jembo
                            https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/mar...NVAa3fEAC4friC

                            A fantastic essay from Nigel McFadzean
                            Can't see it... it's on Facebook ?
                            Everything is self-evident.

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                            • Originally posted by jembo
                              https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/i...-28312027.html
                              The Victoria Cross and the Irish
                              by Richard Doherty
                              May 2 2000

                              James Leach and George Onions won Victoria Crosses in France and later served in the Auxiliary Division of the RUC, commonly known as the Black and Tans.
                              Presume they meant the Royal Irish Constabulary - RIC.

                              The Auxies had been disbanded by the time of the creation of the RUC in 1922.
                              Everything is self-evident.

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                              • Originally posted by jembo
                                Came across this memorial plaque in Hamilton, Bermuda yesterday.

                                https://hmsjervisbay.com/Story.Fegen.php
                                Was curious about the German navy inflicting looses so far west in November 1940 - but your link informs us the ship went down off Iceland after an engagement with the heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer.

                                By all accounts Captain Fegen thoroughly deserved his posthumous VC.
                                Everything is self-evident.

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