Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Gallipoli Operations D.S.M. group of five awarded to Signalman Thomas McDonagh, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (239006 T. McDonagh, Sign. Gallipoli Ops. 1915-6); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (239006 T. McDonagh, Sig. H.M.S. Dartmouth); 1914-15 Star (239006 T. McDonagh, L.Sig. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (239006 T. McDonagh, Sig. R.N.) heavily polished, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore fine (5) £700-900

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 May 1916: ‘For services rendered by Petty Officers and Men of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron between the time of the landing in the Gallipoli Peninsula in April 1915, and the evacuation in December 1915-January 1916.’

Thomas McDonagh was born in Galway on 4 December 1890, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 29 January 1907. He qualified as Ordinary Signalman in December 1908, becoming Signalman in May 1910 and Leading Signalman in October 1914. Various misdemeanours throughout his service precluded his qualifying for a L.S. & G.C. medal and resulted in his being reduced to Signalman, in which rate he was finally discharged in September 1928. Sold with copied service papers.