John Folan DCM, born in Cashel, County Galway, (DOB 1895 – ) was an Irish recipient of the DCM, the

Distinguished Conduct Medal The Distinguished Conduct Medal was a decoration established in 1854 by Queen Victoria for gallantry in the field by Other ranks (UK), other ranks of the British Army. It is the oldest British award for gallantry and was a second level military ...

, the second highest for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to

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and

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forces. He also won the

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for service on the Macedonian Front in 1917.

Details

He was a

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in the 3rd Battalion,

Connaught Rangers The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") was an Ireland, Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army formed by the amalgamation of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) (which formed the ''1st Battalion'') and the 94th Regiment of Fo ...

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during

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when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the DCM. "For conspicuous gallantry when in command of a trench. Although wounded, he held on to his position after part of the line had been rushed." The

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in June, 1915 reported Reward for Gallantry. It has caused much satisfaction in Cashel (Connemara), to learn that Private John Folan of the Connacht Rangers, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Mesopotamia. Though seriously wounded, and after his officer has been shot, he rallied his company, and held a line of trenches against the Turks. He is a son of the late Thomas Folan, pilot, Canower, County Galway.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

The following announcement appeared in June 1916 and since there was usually a gap of about 3 months before a specific event and the announcement of an award it would normally relate to something occurring in early 1916. LONDON GAZETTE 13 JUNE 1916 DCM ANNOUNCEMENT
'His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to approve of the undermentioned rewards for distinguished services in connection with Military Operations with the British Forces in Salonika:—

AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.
3/5582 Pte. J. Folan, 3rd Bn, Conn. Rang.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 13 JULY 1916
‘With reference to the dispatch published in June 1916, the following are mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of Sir Charles Munro’s command of the Mediterramean Expeditionary Force*.'
3/5582 Pte. J. Folan, 3rd Bn, Conn. Rang.

References

The London Gazette, 3 June 1916

The London Gazette, 21 June 1916

The London Gazette, 13 July 1916

The London Gazette, 21 April 1917

Irish National Archives – 1901 Census
{{DEFAULTSORT:Folan, John 1895 births British Army personnel of World War I Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal Military personnel from County Galway Irish people of World War I Year of death missing 20th-century Irish military personnel Connaught Rangers soldiers Irish soldiers in the British Army

Details

Distinguished Conduct Medal

See also

References