Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Boesinghe’ M.M. awarded to Company Sergeant Major F. McCusker, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1910 Sjt: F. McCusker. 1/Ir:Gds:) suspension claw re-pinned, now slack, nearly very fine £280-£320

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

Frank McCusker enlisted in the Irish Guards in November 1903. He served during the Great War with the Irish Guards in the French theatre of war from 13 August 1914 (entitled to Silver War Badge). Rudyard Kipling’s History of the Irish Guards in the Great War gives:

‘On 27th August [1917] medal ribbons were presented by the General of the 1st Brigade to those who had won honour in the Boesinghe battle, either by their cool-headedness in dealing with “surprise situations” or sheer valour in the face of death or self-devotion to a comrade; for there was every form of bravery to choose from. Lieutenant E. Budd received the bar to his Military Cross, and Sergeant (A/C.S.M.) P. Donohoe (No. 3056), No. 1910 Sergeant (A/C.S.M.) F. McCusker.... Military Medal....’

Sergeant McCusker was discharged in February 1919.