Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Army L.S. & G.C. Medal awarded to Sergeant J. L. Davies, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in an I.R.A. ambush in July 1921

Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3846619 Sjt. J. L. Davies, Loyal R.), number officially corrected, good very fine
£350-400

John Lauton Davies, who was born at Tairbull, Llanspydidd, Wales about 1880, appears to have enlisted in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in the Edwardian era.

Having witnessed active service in the Great War, he was killed in an I.R.A. ambush at Castleisland, Co. Kerry on 10 July 1921, reputedly by a shotgun blast. The following report appeared in The Independent on the 12th:

‘An encounter between military and Republicans took place after curfew on Sunday in Castleisland. The engagement, our correspondent states, developed into a pitched battle, resulting in at least seven deaths, while several were wounded. The report from Dublin Castle states: “A military curfew patrol was attacked in Castleisland at 7.15 p.m. on Sunday night by a large number of rebels. Three soldiers were killed and three wounded. Four rebels are believed to have been killed.” ’

The patrol comprised about 20 men from the 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who were ambushed in Upper Main Street, near their barracks. The I.R.A. force was drawn from 1st Southern Division and Kerry No. 2 Brigade, acting under the orders of Brigade O/C. Humphrey Murphy and, having gained early success from the cover of a burnt out library, was forced into retreat owing to the appearance of a British machine-gun. The latter accounted for four I.R.A. men, including Jack Prendiville, whose brother, Denis, another participant, later wrote an account of the action (copy included, with related street map). It is said two severely wounded soldiers of the Loyals were taken into Reidy’s Pub, the proprietor afterwards suffering great animosity from the local republicans for his humanity. Lieutenant Sheridan of the Loyals was awarded the M.B.E. for ‘his great courage and skill’ during the incident.

The son of Mrs. Annie Davies, of Garth House, Pencelby, Brecon, and the late Edward Davies, John left a widow, May Davies, of 3 Upper Hamilton Road, Brighton. He was buried in Brighton City Cemetery.