Orders, Decorations and Medals

An early Great War ‘Givenchy’ M.C. attributed to Captain C. H. Carrigan, Royal Munster Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.V.R., in original case of issue; together with original documentation, comprising, Irish Brigade vellum Divisional citation, dated 12 August 1917; M.I.D. certificate, dated 31 May 1915; illuminated memorial scroll; Buckingam Palace scroll; various original newspaper cuttings, including an obituary, extremely fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Chris Murphy Collection of Medals to the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

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M.C. Edinburgh Gazette 12 March 1915. ‘For gallantry and resource at Givenchy on 25th February 1915, in handling his machine guns effectively against the advancing enemy. Being compelled to retire, he extricated his guns under heavy fire and brought them into action again 300 yards to the rear.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 June 1915.

Captain Colin Herbert Carrigan was commissioned into the Royal Munster Fusiliers from Sandhurst in August 1914, and on 22 December of this year probably performed the deed that was to gain him the award of the M.C., when he rescued Lieutenant Colonel Bent during the Battle of Festubert. He was gazetted Temporary Captain, June 1915 and Captain June 1917. Carrigan was wounded sometime in 1916 and was later killed in action 2 September 1918 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He is buried in St Martin Calvaire British Cemetery, France. Sold with detailed research, including photographs of his headstone, which states ‘M.C. and Bar.’