Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

A 1940 Military C.B.E. group of nine to Reverend J. Coghlan, Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the British Expeditionary Force 1939-40

Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge, gilt and enamel, in Garrard, London case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Rev., A.C.D.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Rev.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf; Belgium, Croix de Guerre, ‘L’ cypher, with gilt ‘L’ palm on ribbon, mounted as worn; Dunkirk Commemorative Medal, medals contained in case, good very fine and better (9) £400-500

C.B.E. London Gazette 3.9.1940 ‘The Right Reverend John Coghlan, B.A., Chaplain to the Forces, First Class, Royal Army Chaplains’ Department’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4.1.1917 and 26.10.1945

The Right Reverend Monsignor John Coghlan was born on 6.7.1887 at Castlepollard, Westmeath, Ireland and educated at St. Finian’s College, Navan; Maynooth College, Royal University of Ireland. Entering the Roman Catholic Priesthood, he was a priest of the diocese of Meath in 1913. Upon the outbreak of war, he entered the Army as a Chaplain 4th Class and served in France and Flanders, 1915-17, and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was wounded in the left arm and shoulder on 1.4.1917. After several months recuperation he was transferred to Egypt and Mesopotamia where he served until 1919. Between the Wars he served with the Rhine Army during 1922-25 and was Senior Roman Catholic Chaplain, for Malta in 1926, the Shanghai Defence Force during 1927-28, Eastern Command during 1929-30, Malta during 1930-32, being promoted Chaplain 3rd Class in 1931 and 2nd class the following year. He continued as Senior Roman Catholic Chaplain in Egypt during 1932-35 and Northern Command during 1935-38. Promoted Chaplain 1st Class in 1938, he was Senior Roman Catholic Chaplain at Aldershot during 1938-39. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he was the Assistant Deputy Chaplain-General and Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the B.E.F. 1939-40. For his services in the campaign ending at Dunkirk, he was awarded the C.B.E. Appointed Vicar-General in the British Army in1940, he was the Principal Roman Catholic Army Chaplain. Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1945, he retired the same year and died on 15.4.1963.

Sold with original certificate for the recipient’s Dunkirk Medal and copied research details.