Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘1920 Irish Troubles’ Constabulary Medal (Ireland) to Constable William Dunphy, Royal Irish Constabulary

Constabulary Medal (Ireland), 2nd type, ‘Reward of Merit Royal Irish Constabulary’, reverse inscribed, ‘Constable William Dunphy, 64671, 1920’, with straight bar swivel suspension and silver brooch bar, good very fine £5000-6000

William Dunphy was born in Kilkenny on 28 June 1889. By faith a Roman Catholic and a Farmer by occupation, he joined the Royal Irish Constabulary briefly in March 1909 and then again in July 1910. Based in Co. Westmeath from January 1911 and then Co. Kerry from July 1919. He ceased to be a member when the force was disbanded in April 1922.

Constable William Dunphy was awarded the Constabulary Medal (Ireland) for his part in the defence of the police barracks at Camp, County Kerry, when it was under attack by elements of the Irish Republican Army on 19 February 1920. The defence was conducted by a Sergeant and six Constables who all received the Constabulary Medal. A total of 280 Constabulary Medals were awarded for the ‘troubles’ between 1916 and 1922; of these, 180 medals were awarded for incidents during 1920. With some copied research.