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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 768

The General Service Medal to Michael O'Shea, West Limerick Brigade, Irish Republican Army, Mortally Wounded By A British Patrol Whilst Escorting A British Soldier to An I.R.A. Execution, March 1921
General Service Medal 1917-21, combatant's version with Comrac Bar, reverse officially named '536 Michael O'Shea.', with integral top riband bar, good very fine

Michael O'Shea, served as a Second Lieutenant in 'H' (Granagh) Company, 4th Battalion, West Limerick Brigade, Irish Republican Army. In March 1921 an ex-British soldier was tried as a suspected spy by an I.R.A. court near Ballinaleena. He was found guilty and O'Shea's section was given the responsibility of escorting him to the place of execution. While on the way to the place of execution the prisoner and escort party were challenged by a British patrol on the Ballinaleena to Bruree road. The British challenged the I.R.A. party to halt, but the latter, believing the challenge to come from another I.R.A. group, kept approaching. The British opened fire and Michael O'Shea, who was leading the escort, and Volunteer Patrick Benson were both wounded. The prisoner managed to escape to the safety of the British patrol and both wounded I.R.A. men were captured. They were taken by truck to Charleville, where O'Shea died shortly afterwards. His remains were handed over to his family and conveyed to Granagh church where an I.R.A. guard of honour kept watch on the coffin. He was given an I.R.A. funeral the following day at Shanovogha, Co. Limerick.

Sold for
$3,500