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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 738

A 1916 'Casualty' Medal to Peter Macken, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers, Who Served During the 1916 Easter Rising with the Boland's Mills Garrison, and Was Shot Dead by One of His Own Crazed Sentries, Suffering Under the Strain of Waiting to be Attacked, 26.4.1916
1916 Medal, reverse officially named '42 Peter Macken.', with integral top riband bar, extremely fine

Peter Macken was born in Dublin and founded the St. Patrick's Branch of the Gaelic League. Elected to the Dublin Corporation as Alderman for the North Dock ward on a labour ticket, he was noted for being an effective public speaker and a good writer. He served during the 1916 Easter Rising with the 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers, at Boland's Mills. The strain of waiting to be attacked took its toll on the nerves of a number of Volunteers. On Wednesday 26th April one of the Volunteers guarding a gate at the bakery started to act strangely and G.A. Lyons asked him to take a rest. He refused, and when Lyons went elsewhere Macken was left in charge. He again asked the man to take a rest. Upon this the sentry went crazy and shot Macken through the heart. Macken is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.

Estimate
$15,000 to $20,000