#OnThisDay 1854 Charles Davis Lucas, from Armagh, was aboard HMS Hecla when a live shell landed on deck. When everyone was ordered to jump down on the deck, Lucas picked up the shell with burning fuse & threw it overboard saving many lives. For this, he was awarded the first ever Victoria Cross medal in 1857. Lucas was eventually promoted to Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy.
#Ireland #History
#OnThisDay 1798 The Battle of Vinegar Hill raged. The United Irishmen rebels were defeated by the better armed Crown forces. Around 1000 rebels were killed and while a large number of rebels escaped, this marked the beginning of the end of the Rebellion. #Ireland #History
#OnThisDay 1925 Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated soldiers in the @USArmy
was born in Texas to parents of Irish descent. Murphy was awarded every medal for valour including the Medal of Honor for singlehandedly holding off a company of Germans during #WW2
#OnThisDay 1901 Brigadier General Robert Nugent passed away in New York. Born in Kilkeel, Co. Down, Nugent was with the Irish ‘Fightin 69th’ Regiment from its beginning & organised the creation of & later commanded the Irish Brigade in the American Civil War.
#OnThisDay 1763 Theobald Wolfe Tone was born in Dublin. A Protestant, Tone was a founder of the United Irishmen, who wished to unite all Irish people regardless of religion& is known as the father of Irish Republicanism. He was the leader of the 1798 Rebellion. #Ireland #History
The Irish at War 