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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 268

(x) Three: Captain A. D. M. O'Morchoe, Leinster Regiment, Chief of O'Morchoe, later Commissioner of Police, Gold Coast, who was wounded in action in July 1915

1914-15 Star (Lieut. A. D. MacM. O'Morchoe. Leins. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. D. MacM. O'Morchoe.), mounted as worn, very fine (3)

Perhaps the best biography of Arthur Donel MacMurrough O'Morchoe is offered by the National Portrait Gallery:

'The O'Morchoe was born on 3 June 1892. He was the son of Reverend Thomas Arthur MacMurrough Murphy O'Morchoe, The O'Morchoe and Anne Gibbon. He was given the name of Arthur Donel MacMurrogh Murphy at birth. He was educated at St. Andrew's College, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin University, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. He gained the rank of officer in 1914 in the Leinster Regiment (Royal Meaths). He fought in the First World War. He was Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Hon. Edward Montagu-Stuart-Wortley between 1917 and 1919. He was with the Provost Marshal's Department between 1918 and 1922. He was with the Civil Service between 1924 and 1943. He was Aide-de-Camp to British Resident of Zanzibar between 1930-31. He was Commissioner of Police, Gold Coast in 1934. He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal (C.P.M.) in 1941.

He married, firstly, Isabel Hester Louise Carden, daughter of Richard George Carden and Isabel Frances Elizabeth Toler, on 10 November 1926. He married, secondly, Eva Augusta Elizabeth Ellis, daughter of Ernest Francis Leslie Ellis, on 26 July 1948. He lived at St. Austins, Inch, County Wexford, Ireland from 1948 until his death on 29 August 1966.'

Besides these details, he was also wounded by gunshot to the fingers with the 2nd Battalion at Ypres in July 1915. He served with that unit from 15-27 July, having joined from the 3rd Battalion, as recalled by Captain Hitchcock in "Stand To" - A Diary of the Trenches 1915-1918. Two days after he arrived the unit faced horrific weather which flooded their positions and left '...duck boards floating.' On 19 July the Officers were taking dinner when the Hooge mine was blown, when '...we were all thrown on the ground by a colossal vibration.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£950

Starting price
£270