Our Great Grand uncle John Lucas had been one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross for his efforts in the New Zealand Wars

My Great Grand Uncle Michael McGrath was born in the townland of Croanwalsh near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary in late 1890. He emigrated to Western Australia early in the 20th century. in January 1916 he joined the Australian Army where he was posted to the Artillery. He was assigned to the Divisional Artillery Column of the Australian 3rd Division. Michael left Australia in May 1916 for the UK where after further training the Division left for Franch in November of that year. His records show that apart from occasional illness he served without indicent until the end of the war and never rose beyond the rank of gunner. In April 1919 he left the AIF while still in the UK and returned to Ireland. As he chose to leave the Australian Army in the UK he was required to sign a waiver acknowledging that the Australian Government were no longer obliged to transport him back to Australia at their expense. He eventually became involved in the Irish war of Independence and was killed while serving as an officer in the Anti-Treaty IRA in the closing stages of the Civil War in May 1923.

Two medals. One a Victory medal, 1914 - 1918 belonging to James Charles Miller. Second a silver medal depicting a man on a very early motorcycle. || My grand uncle James Charles Miller was from Bennett's Bridge, Kilkenny, 22nd December, 1889. Not sure when he signed up. He was Corporal in Royal Engineers - 30247 - they have recored (from the internet) of his qualifying date for medal as 07/01/1915 aged 23. Division 14.J.I. But this is not definitie because his medal record says he qualified on 02/01/1915. I heard he had to lie about his age to join army as he was too young, but this doesn't tally with the date he qualified when he was 23. He may have joined up earlier in 1907 but not sure. Not aware that he had any other medals. The newspaper (Probably Wexford People) report of his brother', George's death (who also died in a car crash in 1919) says James Charles died in a Motobike crash with a lorry, but we are not sure. There is another story - word of mouth in the family - that he was killed during friendly fire. He was a corporal in the Motorcycle Division. He is buried in Le Harve. His name is spelt incorrectly on his medal card and on the medal itself Millar and not Miller. In census the same spelling occurs. Know very little about his experience in the war. He died in Le Harve, where there were a lot of military hospitals. Not sure if he was brought there, injured. Some mention of France/Flanders online so may have been moved from there. Second medal looks too new to be connected and looks as though it came from a time after he died. It is possibly his medal but not sure. Silver medal came from my mother. Victory medal also came from his mother. || || Medals of my granduncle, James Charles Miller || Medal