Three: Private W. J. Molloy, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, who died from wounds received in action at Rue Tilleloy near Laventie on 17 November 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (9147 Pte. W. J. Molloy. 1/R. Ir.: Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (9147 Pte. W. J. Molloy. R.I. Rif.); Memorial Plaque (William John Molloy) BWM dark toned, good very fine or better (4) £220-£260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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William John Molloy was born in Shankhill, Belfast and attested for the Royal Irish Rifles at Lisburn, Country Antrim in 1908. He served with “A” Company in the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914 and died of wounds at No. 6 Clearing Hospital on 17 November 1914. The war diary records that 1 man was killed and 1 man mortally wounded (possibly Molloy) as the battalion took over trenches for the first time at Rue Tilleloy near Laventie on 15 November 1914. The battalion was relieved by the 2nd Lincolnshires on 22 November having suffered casualties of 10 killed, 29 wounded and 2 missing.

Molloy was 25 years of age and the son of Thomas and Sarah Molloy of 2 Alexander Street, Belfast. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France.