Orders, Decorations and Medals

An excessively rare Malabar D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private G. Ryan, Leinster Regiment

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (7178031 Pte., 1-Leins. R.); 1914-15 STAR TRIO (9280 Pte., Leins. R.) the war medal an erased replacement, INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (7178031 Pte., Leins. R.) together with small silver sporting medallion 'Garrison Sports, Birr, 4/8/19', and large bronze sporting medallion 'Irish Command Sports Association 1919', these both named, softi with an original portrait photograph dated India, 1920, severe bruise to the first and all with edge knocks, contact marks andpolished, therefore good fine and rare (7)

D.C.M., London Gazette, 2 June 1923; 'For distinguished service rendered in connection with military operationsin Malabar, 1921-22, ' - 7178031 Pte. G. Ryan, 1st Bn. Leins. R.[E] (Clonmel).

This Gazette contained the awards of one D.S.O., one Bar to the D.S.O., one M.C., and two D.C.M's including that to Ryan. The Moplah rebellion in Malabar broke out in the hot weather of 1921. At Calicut was a garrison of two platoons of 'C' Company, 1st Bn. Leinster Regiment, strengthened about this time by the remainder of the company plus two platoons of 'B' Company, the whole under the command of Captain P. McEnroy, D.S.O., M.C., an Irish Guardsman who had won promotion in the war. With about 100 men Captain McEnroy proceeded to Tirur Augadi with the Collector to effect certain arrests. This precipitated matters and the Collector was obliged to hand over charge to Captain McEnroy. The party got back safely to Calicut, but after a trying march during which it was constantly engaged. The whole countryside was soon in rebellion and Captain McEnroy now sent two platoons and some special police to Malappuram to deal with any trouble there.That garrison was quickly in a perilous situation and Captain McEnroy therefore took the soldierly course of going straight for Malappuram with every available man, some 100 in all, hoping to meet the rebels on the way. This he did about 20 miles out and there a mob of 1,000 rebels attacked him for four or five hours. These fanatics attacked from all sides and shot at the Leinster soldiers from trees and on many occasions the rebels got up to the very bayonets of the troops. The onrush, however was beaten off, Captain McEnroy getting 30 Moplahs with his own rifle and the garrison at Malappuram was successfully relieved. For his sterling services Captain McEnroy received the thanks of the Government of India and a well merited bar to his D.S.O. Privates Cahill and Ryan were at the same time rewarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal.