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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 51

A family collection to brothers;

The Australian Light Horse, wounded at Gallipoli, 1914-15 Star awarded to J. Cusack, 10th Australian Light Force

1914-15 Star (717 Pte. J. Cusack. 10/L.H.Rgt. A.I.F.), very fine

A rare British and Irish Republican service group of four to Private J. Cusack, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, later Irish Republican Forces

British War and Victory Medals (8732 Pte. J. Cusack. R.Ir. Regt.); Ireland, General Service Medal 1917-21 (2) one with top suspension, both unnamed; Ireland, Emergency Service Medal for 1939-1946, Army issue, 1 clasp, 1939-1946, very fine or better (5)

Jack Cusack was born on 15 October 1880 at Birr, Ireland. Working first as Farrier he then joined the 9th Lancers, serving with them for 10 and a half years followed by 5 years with the 5th Lancers (No. 4995). Seeing service in the Second Boer War during this time (Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps Belfast, Cape Colony and Orange Free State and a King's South Africa Medal with two clasps). The medal entry notes deserted on 7 December 1908, with entries including returned to Woolwich 7 April 1914.

Despite this being noted in his Australian service papers they seem to have been happy for him to enlist in the A.I.F. on the 31 October 1914, with the 10th Light Horse. Cusack embarked for Gallipoli from Alexandria on 21 July 1915 and was wounded by shrapnel in the head, hands, chest, abdomen and legs on 7 August 1815. He was invalided back to Alexandria on the 23 August 1915 on the Guildford Castle and treated at the 21st General Hospital before being sent to West Mudros for further rest. Absent for three days between 16-18 November 1915 he was consequently docked 3 days pay.

Returning to duty on 22 January 1916 with the 10th Light Horse at Yeliopolis. Cusack was taken on Strength to the 3rd Light Horse on 6 March 1916 and then taken on strength to the 3rd Double Squadron at Serapeum on 6 July 1916. While still in Mesopotamia he was diagnosed with Glossitis on the 31 July 1916, resulting in his return to Australia and eventual discharge at Perth on 2 December 1916. He was granted a Pension of 15 Shillings fortnightly from 3 December 1916.

Further entitled to a British War and Victory Medals.

James Cusack entered the war in France on 3 February 1916 with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. He suffered a scalp wound the next month being treated first at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station and later No. 10 General Hospital. Completing a signalling course in 1917 he finally returned to Britain on 8 April 1919, being demobilised on 7 May 1919. After the war he returned to Ireland, joining the Republican forces and received several service medals.

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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£1300