Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Moira Cup for the Defence of Trinity College Dublin 1916, awarded to Private Garnet Douglas King, 4th Regiment South African Infantry for service in the suppression of the Easter Rising, who later died of wounds in France, 17 April 1917

Moira Cup for the Defence of Trinity College, by West & Son, inscribed, ‘Defence of T.C.D. Sinn Fein Rebellion. Easter 1916’ and ‘Pte. King’, silver, hallmarks for Dublin 1916, approx. 80mm. high, 48mm. dia., very good condition, scarce £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A small collection relating to the Easter Rebellion 1916 and the Anglo-Irish War 1919-22.

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Garnet Douglas King was born in Stanger, Natal and was educated at Pietermaritzburg College. Employed as a Civil Servant in the Department of Native Affairs, he attested for the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force at Potchefstroom on 25 January 1916, aged 27 years, having previously served 5 months in the suppression of the Zulu Rebellion of 1905 and 10 months in German S.W. Africa and the associated Boer Rebellion during 1914-15. In the latter campaigns he served in the 3rd Mounted Rifles and Natal Mounted Rifles.

As a Private in the 2nd Reserve Battalion 4th South African Infantry he was posted to Dublin and was one of a number of Colonial soldiers who assisted in the defence of the Trinity College Dublin during the Easter Rising in April 1916. For their services the ‘Defenders of Trinity College’ were each awarded a small silver cup.

On Saturday 5 August 1916, in the Provost’s gardens of Trinity College, a presentation was made by the Citizens of Dublin to commemorate the gallant conduct of the Officers’ Training Corps during the Easter Rebellion. Their action, offensive and defensive preserved life and property in Grafton Street, Nassau Street, College Green, College Street, Dame Street and Westmoreland Street and included the historic buildings of Trinity College as well as those of the Bank of Ireland. As a result of a public subscription, over £700 was raised which was expended on silver plate: Two large presentation cups were presented to the Commandant of the O.T.C. and smaller silver ‘replica cups were presented to all ranks of the Corps and others who had participated in the work of the defence. ‘9208 Pte. King, South African Scottish’ is listed amongst the recipients.

Having left Dublin for Bordon, Hampshire before the presentation, King asked for his cup to be sent to his mother: Mrs A. M. King, of Cofton Lodge, Stanger, Natal’. King served in France from August 1916. On 12 April 1917 he was slightly wounded by a gunshot to the shoulder. Again in action three days later, he was dangerously wounded with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and shoulder. 9208 Private Garnet Douglas King, 4th South African Infantry died of his wounds on 17 April 1917, aged 28 years. He was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery.

With copied Great War service papers showing entitlement to the 1914-15 Star trio; a copied letter to the Trinity College O.T.C. dated 10 August 1916 re the silver cup, a copied letter to his mother from the O.T.C. dated 11 September 1916 re the cup; details of the presentation and list of recipients and other research.