James Duffy (VC)
Encyclopedia
James Duffy was a British Army
soldier during the First World War, and an Irish
recipient of the Victoria Cross
.
Duffy was born on 17 November 1889 in Gweedore
(Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal
, Ireland
.
He was 28 years old, and a private
in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army
during the First World War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27 December 1917 at Kereina Peak, Palestine
, whilst the company was holding a very exposed position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get another man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went forward alone and, under very heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives.
, Letterkenny
on 8 April 1969 and was buried in Conwal Cemetery, Letterkenny, County Donegal
. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Inniskilling Museum in Enniskillen Castle
, Northern Ireland
.
A stone bench was unveiled in Letterkenny Town Park
on 10 July 2007 to honour the war veteran. His daughter Nelly was present when former Letterkenny
Mayor Ciaran Brogan unveiled the bench in one of his final duties.
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
soldier during the First World War, and an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Duffy was born on 17 November 1889 in Gweedore
Gweedore
Gweedore is an Irish-speaking district located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. Gweedore stretches some 16 miles from Meenaclady in the north to Crolly in the south and around 9 miles from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher in the west, and...
(Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
He was 28 years old, and a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27 December 1917 at Kereina Peak, Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
, whilst the company was holding a very exposed position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get another man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went forward alone and, under very heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives.
Death and legacy
He died in Drumany, Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
on 8 April 1969 and was buried in Conwal Cemetery, Letterkenny, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Inniskilling Museum in Enniskillen Castle
Enniskillen Castle
Enniskillen Castle is situated in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It was originally built in the 16th century and now houses the Fermanagh County Museum and the regimental museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.-History:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
A stone bench was unveiled in Letterkenny Town Park
Letterkenny Town Park
Letterkenny Town Park or Bernard McGlinchey Town Park, as it is officially known as, is a public park located in Letterkenny, County Donegal. It is located at Hospital Roundabout in the town. The Park is adjacent to St...
on 10 July 2007 to honour the war veteran. His daughter Nelly was present when former Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
Mayor Ciaran Brogan unveiled the bench in one of his final duties.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Donegal, Ireland)