G’day from Gary Gray AUSTRALIA’S AMBASSADOR IN IRELAND Stay up to date with what’s happening in the Australian Embassy, Ireland by following:
@ausembire
Australian Embassy, Ireland
@AusEmbIre
IRISH AUSTRALIAN MARTIN O’MEARA, VC:
“Don’t ever think yourself above taking mother’s advice.” In July 2020, I visited the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia at Fremantle. A terrific facility holding a great deal of WA military history.
officer salutes VC recipients even if the recipient is a Private. There have been (depending on criteria) 195 Irish recipients of the VC.
It holds machines, materials, medals and awards including the Victoria Cross (VC) awarded to Irishborn ANZAC Sergeant Martin O’Meara, currently on loan to the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks, Dublin.
Martin O’Meara was a Tipperary native, born on a farm in Lissernane in the parish of Lorrha and Dorrha, usually just called ‘Lorrha’, Ireland. His father, Michael O’Meara, was a Roman Catholic tenant farmer. Martin worked as a farm labourer and wood worker before working his passage on a steamer to South Australia in 1911, arriving at Port Augusta. He worked on the Transcontinental Railway before again boarding a steamer and making his way to Perth in 1914.
The VC is a unique recognition introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856. All ranks are eligible for the award which was given for conspicuous valour in the presence of the enemy. As a mark of respect for the award, which is never referred to as a “medal”, every 42 | THE IRISH SCENE
