A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Captain G. A. O’Callaghan, Royal Irish Regiment, mortally wounded at Bellewarde Ridge, Ypres, 24 May 1915

1914-15 Star (Capt., R. Ir. Regt.) surname spelt ‘O’Gallaghan’ on this; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) initials officially corrected to last, good very fine or better (3) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Gerard Arthur O’Callaghan was born at Shoeburyness on 7 April 1880, the son of Major-General Sir Desmond O’Callaghan, K.C.V.O., Colonel Commandant, Royal Artillery, and Lady O’Callaghan. He was educated at Clifton College and then became a Queen’s Cadet at the R.M.C., Sandhurst, from which he was gazetted to the Royal Irish Regiment in January 1900, becoming Lieutenant in July 1901. He served in the South African War, and during the latter part of this campaign was attached to Damant’s Horse. (Entitled Q.S.A., 3 clasps; and K.S.A., 2 clasps). Received his Captaincy in April 1907, having previously served in India, being seconded for employment with the Egyptian Army in May 1907, serving in the Sudan for seven years.

On the outbreak of the Great War he helped to raise Lord Granard’s 5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, with which he remained for nine months; and then, as the 2nd battalion was short of officers, he was sent out to it, and killed at Ypres, a few days after his arrival on 24 May 1915. He was first ‘gassed’ and then shot through the head, and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

The following account of the action at Bellewarde Ridge is extracted from the regimental history: ‘On the 24th, at 2 a.m., the battalion stood to arms. At 2:20 the enemy, preceded by gas, attacked. A gentle breeze blowing from the north-east brought the full volume of the gas on to that part of the line occupied by the battalion. Although respirators and sprayers were used, many of all ranks were overcome by gas.’

The following passage was written by a brother officer, and is extracted from The Bond of Sacrifice, Volume II: ‘Had he been spared, his rifle would have been useful among the German wild beasts who poisoned him. As it was he accounted for three snipers on his first day in the trenches.’