A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties

Family Group:

Four: Lance-Corporal H. McMullan, Royal Irish Rifles, who was awarded the Italian Al Valore Militare for his gallantry at Thiepval on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, and was killed in action on the Western Front on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, 21 March 1918
1914-15 Star (12-19118 Pte. H. Mc.Mullan. R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (19118 Pte. H. McMullan. R. Ir. Rif.); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, bronze, unnamed as issued, in named case of issue; Memorial Plaque (Hugh McMullan) in card envelope, extremely fine

Three: Lance-Corporal G. McMullan, Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 8 March 1917
1914-15 Star (12-19119 Pte. G. Mc.Mullan. R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (19119 Pte. G. McMullan. R. Ir. Rif.); Memorial Plaque (George McMullan) in card envelope, nearly extremely fine (9) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.

Hugh McMullan was born in Brocklemount, co. Antrim, and attested for the Royal Irish Rifles at Ballymena, co. Antrim. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1915, and distinguished himself during the heavy fighting at Thiepval on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916:
‘Rifleman McMullan, being the only man left of his team of Lewis Gunners, entered the German line with the gun and two magazines and fired from his shoulder at the Germans in the second line. He retired with the Company, and brought the gun with him.’ (Regimental account refers).

For his gallantry on the Somme McMullan was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for Valour (Al Valore Militare) (London Gazette 26 May 1917). He was killed in action on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, 21 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

Sold with named Record Office enclosures; postcard photograph of the recipient; and copied research.

George McMullan, the brother of the above, was born in Brocklemount, co. Antrim, and, judging from their Regimental numbers, attested for the Royal Irish Rifles alongside his brother at Ballymena, co. Antrim. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1915, and was killed in action on 8 March 1917. The acting Regimental Chaplain, Robert Kelso, wrote to the recipient’s mother thus:
‘It was my sad duty to bury your son, George McMullan, who was killed in action on 8 March. His brother, Hugh McMullan, was present at the funeral. So far as I can gather he was taken away suddenly, so that he was spared the pain and agony of a long suffering. You have every fight to feel proud of the fact that two of your lads have proved themselves brave and loyal men, and I sincerely hope that your lad still in the 12th may be preserved in safety to return to his home.’

Sold with named Record Office enclosures; photographs of the recipient’s original grave; and copied research.