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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 848

A rare identified 'Battle of Clonmult' Bed Plate to Private A. Murhall, 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, one of five members of the Regiment who were identified as taking part in the ambush which became the I.R.A.'s bloodiest loss during the War of Independence

Bed Plate, Brass, named '5486719 A. Murhall', some contact wear but overall very fine

The Battle of Clonmult

An IRA column from their 4th Battalion, 1st Cork Brigade had taken up residence in a disused farmhouse near Clonmult with the intention of attacking a train at Cobh Junction on 22 February 1921. The British were alerted to their presence and a British patrol was detached to locate the enemy, although the first location they tried proved to be incorrect. A detachment was sent out to check a nearby farmhouse- in fact the correct location- and they soon discovered the column which numbered about twenty men.

The sentries had withdrawn from their posts allowing the patrol, under Lieutenant Koe, to advance close to the farmhouse and open fire. The IRA fought back immediately and a firefight raged, however the building had no back door and couldn't be easily exited. The commander of the Column, Jack O'Connell led an attempted breakout but the heavy fire prevented this, with only O'Connell himself escaping.

The rest were forced back inside and the arrival of British reinforcements sealed their fate. The thatch of the cottage was fired and a number of men exited with their hands raised. Different stories are told about what followed but they were either gunned down by the Black and Tans present or killed in the crossfire when men still in the house opened fire. When the dust of the ambush had settled there remained only 8 men of the column alive, 4 of whom where wounded.

Trail

Afterwards five private of the Hampshire Regiment gave evidence in the trails of the prisoners, they are the only identified members of the patrol. One was Private Murhall who gave his recollection as:

'he had been detailed to fire on the only window at the rear of the house, from where he had seen a man sniping at the soldiers. Towards dusk he heard shots and shouting from the front of the house. He saw seven civilians lined up near the shed. He remembered seeing all of the accused then present in the court - with the exception of Maurice Moore and John Harty- as being present at Colnmult.'

(The Battle of Colnmult by Tom O'Neill, refers)

While Murhall's name and number remained the same he was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment. This may well have been for his own protection as one of the officers involved in the ambush- Lieutenant Dove- was later killed by the IRA in retaliation for the execution of two of the men on trial; sold together with a copied extract from The Battle of Colnmult.

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Sold for
£80

Starting price
£80