Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant J. O’Flaherty, 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, later Police Constable, Liverpool City Police

Military Medal, G.V.R. (11425 Pte. J. O’Flaherty. 2/Ir: Gds:) suspension slack; British War and Victory Medals (11425 Cpl. J. O’Flaherty. Ir. Gds.); Defence Medal, mounted for display, first polished, otherwise very fine (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 29 August 1918, the recommendation states:

‘During the raid on Beaulieu Fme. on the night of April 23rd 1918 this soldier in charge of his Lewis Gun team displayed the greatest gallantry and initiative. He handled his team with the utmost skill, bringing his gun into action under heavy fire and bringing flanking fire to bear on an enemy post that was holding up the advance of our men. By his excellent leadership he was greatly responsible for the success of the operation.’

James O’Flaherty was a native of Arthurstown, County Wexford, Ireland. He enlisted in the Irish Guards in August 1916, and served with the 2nd Battalion in the French theatre of war from 23 January 1917 (wounded 31 July 1917). O’Flaherty advanced to Lance-Sergeant in April 1919, and was discharged in May of the same year. He served in the Liverpool City Police from 1920, and was still serving as a Police Constable during the Second War.