Section Fourteen: Medals & Recipients
1916 ARMBAND
At commemorations and marches, the men and women who took part in the Rising wore a green and orange armband with â1916â and the star-and-flame âFFâ badge of Ăglaigh na hĂireann in gold lettering. The âFFâ stands for Fianna FĂĄil, the Soldiers of Destiny. This term predated the foundation of the political party. These armbands were presented in a commemorative ceremony in the Rotunda Rink on the nineteenth anniversary of the Rising in 1935. They were made by Bergins, and are of âreal Irish poplinâ.
1916 MEDAL
On 24 January 1941 it was decided by the government that a medal would be a more appropriate way to recognise those who fought in the Rising. Its design is based upon the Irish Army crest and depicts the dying figure of CĂșchulainn. It is 38 millimetres in diameter, bronze, and is made up of a circle of flames beneath an eight-pointed star. On the reverse it reads âSeachtain na CĂĄsca 1916â (âEaster Week 1916â). The poplin ribbon is green and orange, in two vertical panels, and the bronze suspension bar has a Celtic interlaced design.
SERVICE MEDAL (1917â21)
On 26 May 1942 a decision was made by the government to issue a medal to those who had fought during the conflict after 1916. The design is a circular bronze of 39 millimetres bearing the arms of the four provinces of Ireland around the word âĂireâ. A Volunteer stands erect above the words âCogadh na Saoirseâ (âThe Fight for Freedomâ). The poplin ribbon is of two vertical stripes of black and tan-brown. The suspension bar is a Celtic interlaced design.
A smaller number of medals were issued to those who were in receipt of a Military Pension or who satisfied the Minister for Defence that they were on active service â these have a second bar and the inscription âCĂłmhracâ (âCombatâ). The medals without the bar were for members of the IRA, Na Fianna, Cumann na mBan or the ICA for the three months ending 11 July 1921.
1916 SURVIVORSâ MEDAL
This medal was awarded in 1966, the 50th anniversary of the Rising, to surviving participants. The face is the same as the 1916 medal, but it is a bright-silver gilt 38 millimetres in diameter. The reverse bears the inscription â1916 CĂĄisc 1966â (âCĂĄiscâ means Easter). The ribbon is green with orange borders, and a thin white strip runs down the centre. The suspension bar is of a Celtic interlaced design.
TRUCE COMMEMORATION MEDAL
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Truce of 11 July 1921, a new medal was struck. It was awarded to veterans of the 1919â21 war who had received the Service Medal and were still alive in 1971. The medal is similar to the Service Medal, but is smaller at 32 millimetres and is of brighter bronze colour. The reverse has the palm leaf design and is inscribed â1921â1971â. The ribbon has green borders followed by two strips of tan with a black stripe running down the centre. The suspension bar is of the usual Celtic interlace.
FAKE MEDALS
There are many fake medals for sale on the Internet. Caution should be exercised when buying a 1916 or Service Medal, especially online.
RECORD OF MEDALS ISSUED UP TO 31 JANUARY 1988
| Issued to Pensioners | | Issued to others | | |
| | | Total |
1916 Medals | 2,390 | | 87 | | 2,477 |
Service (1917â21) w. bar | 13,067 | | 2,119 | | 15,186 |
Service (1917â21) no bar | | | 51,233 | | 51,233 |
1916 Survivors (approx.) | | | | | c.1,000 |
Truce Commemoration | 7,120 | | 15,312 | | 22,432 |
VERIFICATION PROCESS
The decision to award medals was not taken lightly, and verification of entitlement involved a rigorous process: âEach applicant for a medal was required to complete a form stating the names of his former Brigade Commander, Battalion Commander and Company Commander. If these officers were then deceased, emigrated or not willing to cooperate, the forms were sent to not less than two officers or members of the Unit/sub-Unit named for supporting testimony/signatures. These persons were usually in receipt of service pensions. Initially, applications for the medal without bar were investigated by a Committee of two members of the Military Service Registration Board, and one Interviewing Officer, who had acted for the Referee under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.â1 Almost 13,500 applications for medals were refused or abandoned by the applicants.
Note: The list of medal recipients on the following pages was released by the Military Archives in 2015. Up until 1988, 2,477 medals were awarded to participants of the Rising; over the next few years, 81 more medals were issued. This gives us a total in this list of 2,558 medal recipients.
(D = Dublin)
Adams, John: 13 Gray St., D.
Adams, John Francis: 109 Cork St., D.
Adrien, Mary: Garden View, Oldtown, D.
Agnew, Arthur Patrick: 72 Seatown, Swo...