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.

Front || A publication about the life of John Hanningan