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Sergeant Joseph Dunne DCM born in Offaly 1918

theirishatwar

#OnThisDay 1914 Joe Dunne was born in Kilurin, Co. Offaly. Joe hoped to join the police in London but was told he’d a better chance of getting in if he had military experience. So he and some friends joined the Irish Guards in 1936. He was posted to Egypt, then served in the latter ends of the Palestinian Rebellion. During WW2 he found himself in Norway, Tunisia & at Anzio in Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for eliminating six snipers singlehandedly in the village of Carroceto. Joe lived to be over 100 years old.

Joe Dunne DCM

Sergeant Patrick Molloy, from Wexford serving with Australian Infantry KIA 1915

theirishatwar
#OnThisDay 1918 Sergeant Patrick Molloy from Wexford (although born in Stepaside, Dublin) was killed in action on the Western Front during the German Spring Offensive. Molloy was serving with the 24th Battalion Australian Infantry & had departed from Melbourne in 1915. Initially landed in Egypt, then fought in the Gallipoli Campaign before the 24th were sent to the Western Front. Molloy was awarded the Military Medal and promoted to Sergeant on 9th April 1918. He was 23 years old. 
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