Four: Peter Brennan, Irish Mercantile Marine, late Royal Engineers and British Mercantile Marine

British War and Victory Medals (150927 Spr., R.E.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Peter Brennan); Irish Republic, Merchant Marine Medal 1939-46, 1 clasp, 1939-1946, unnamed, lacking brooch bar, mounted for wear, good very fine, last scarce (4) £600-700

Peter Brennan was born in Dublin. A Marine Fitter by occupation, formerly serving with the Mercantile Marine, he attested for the Royal Engineers (Inland Water Transport) on 24 March 1916, aged 30 years. He was demobilised and transferred to the Army Reserve on 19 February 1919.

Peter Brennan served with the Irish Mercantile, October 1941- December 1945, making a number of voyages between Ireland and Canada, always at a high risk of attack from German submarines and raiders. Serving variously as a Fireman, Trimmer or Donkeyman, aboard the Irish Beech, October 1941 July 1942; Irish Plane, August-September 1942; Irish Beech, February-July 1943; Irish Cedar, October 1943-April 1944; Irish Rose, August-November 1944 and Assaroe, July-December 1945. On 20 March 1943, the neutral flagged Irish Beech was attacked by the German submarine U-638 in the Atlantic. Mistaking her for an enemy merchant ship, the submarine made an underwater attack and fired one torpedo which fortunately missed. On surfacing, her captain took time to establish the merchant ship’s identity and the Irish Beech with Brennan on board was allowed to go on her way. Brennan was awarded the Irish Merchant Marine Medal with clasp and certificate in June 1951.

With a quantity of copied research. Approximately 122 Irish Republic Merchant Marine Medals with one clasp were awarded.