John Moyney

John Moyney VC (8 January 1895 – 10 November 1980) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

John Moyney

VC
Born8 January 1895
Rathdowney, County Laois
Died10 November 1980(1980-11-10) (aged 85)
Roscrea, County Tipperary
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankSergeant
Unit2nd Battalion, Irish Guards
Battles/warsWorld War I
Awards Victoria Cross

Military career

John Moyney was born in Rathdowney, Queen's County, Ireland. He was 22 years old, and a lance-sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12/13 September 1917 north of Broenbeek, Belgium, Lance-Sergeant Moyney was in command of 15 men forming two advanced posts. Surrounded by the enemy he held his post for 96 hours, having no water and very little food. On the fifth day, on the enemy advancing to dislodge him, he attacked them with bombs, while also using his Lewis gun with great effect. Finding himself surrounded, he led his men in a charge through the enemy and reached a stream, where he and a private (Thomas Woodcock) covered his party while they crossed unscathed, before crossing themselves under a shower of bullets.[1]

Gravestone of Jack Moyney V.C. in St. Cronan's Cemetery in Roscrea

Moyney later achieved the rank of sergeant. He died in Roscrea, County Tipperary on 10 November 1980. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Guards Regimental Headquarters (Irish Guards RHQ), Wellington Barracks, London.

Memorial to John Moyney, V.C., at Mill Road, Rathdowney, Co. Laois.
Upper plaque on the memorial to John Moyney, V.C, on Mill Road, Rathdowney, co. Laois.
Facing plaque on the memorial to John Moyney, V.C, on Mill Road, Rathdowney, co. Laois.

On 12 September 2017 a memorial was unveiled on Mill Road, Rathdowney.

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References
  1. "No. 30338". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917. p. 10678.

Listed in order of publication year

  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
  • Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
  • Ireland's VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
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