b. 15/01/1885 Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. d. 24/01/1918 Palestine.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 24/01/1918 Palestine.
James was the son of James and Johanna McCarthy (nee Hennessy) who lived in Stephen Street, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. His father was a former soldier. James enlisted with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment and was posted to France on 19th December 1914. He was unmarried at th time of his death. The AM was presented to his mother at Clonmel on 25th May 1918 by Major General Doran CB, Command South District, as she was too poor to travel to London for an investiture with the King.
AM CITATION:
On the 24th January, 1918, in Palestine, Corporal McCarthy was cleaning grenades in his quarters, when the fuse of one became ignited. He carried it out to throw it into a safe place, but, finding a number of men standing around, he realised that he could not throw it anywhere without injuring his comrades. He clasped the grenade in both hands and held it close to his side. The grenade exploded, killing Corporal McCarthy, who by his devoted courage saved his comrades from serious injury.
BURIAL LOCATION: JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY, JERUSALEM, ISRAEL.
PLOT F, GRAVE 37.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, LONDON.
Acknowledgement:
Thomas Stewart – Image of the Medal Group