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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 333

(x) Four: Private J. Drummy, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, later Royal Tank Corps, who was serving in Dublin during the Easter Rising 1916

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (5934 Pte. J. Drummy. 5th Lancers); 1914 Star, with clasp (5934 Pte. J. Drummy. 5/Lrs); British War and Victory Medals (5L-5934 Pte. J. Drummy. 5-Lrs.), good very fine (4)

John Drummy was born at Collomly, County Sligo, Ireland in 1883, the son of Annie Drummy of Church Hill, Collomly. Attesting for the 5th Lancers at Belfast on 8 January 1901, being posted to South Africa on 18 April 1902. Returning to Britain in September he remained with the unit, extending his service in January 1909. Posted to Ireland the 5th Lancers formed part of Gough's Brigade during the Curragh Incident, in which 59 of the 71 Officer's in the Brigade resigned.

Retreat from Mons

Upon the outbreak of the Great War he was still serving as a Private and entered the war in France on 15 August 1914. Here the Lancers had the distinction of being the last British unit to leave the field at Mons. Present at Le Cateau as part of 2 Cavalry Brigade which suffered heavy losses at Audregnies. Two Squadrons severed as a rearguard for the Brigade as they withdrew via St. Quentin and the unit suffered further losses during an ambush at Morsain.

Return to Ireland and the Rising

As the mobile war ended and trench warfare began Drummy was withdrawn from the front and returned to Britain. Arriving on 15 April 1916 he joined the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment that same day. This unit was based in Dublin and this may explain the move for Drummy, his children are all listed as born in the city, suggesting his wife was living there. The 6th Reserve Cavalry was one of those Regiments called upon to responded on the outbreak of the Easter Rising on 24 April 1916.

It was a troop from that Regiment, advancing near Nelson's Pillar, which was the first to come under Rebel fire. Three men were killed in the ambush, Private Herbert Cordwell, Serjeant H. Shepherd and Shoeing Smith Charles O'Gorman, (whose Bronze Death Plaque was sold in these rooms on 20 July 2023), whilst Lance Corporal Austin Walton was mortally wounded. The rest of the troops mobilised from Marlborough Barracks soon joined the efforts to suppress the Rising. Over several days of fighting they eventually succeeded and Pádraig Pearse issued a surrender on 29 April. Drummy remained in the city after the end of the Rising and into the next year.

Epilogue

Posted to the 12nd Lancers in France on 18 March 1917, he remained there until the end of the War, being appointed Sergeant in February 1919. Posted back to Britain in September Drummy joined the Royal Tank Corps, being discharged for good on 7 February 1922. He stated his intention to return to his home town of Collomly, County Sligo.

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

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£170