www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
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actions that day in single-handedly retrieving two
wounded comrades while under heavy fire, led to his
award of the Victoria Cross.
His medal citation, published in the London Gazette
on 27th February 1918, read:
"For most conspicuous bravery displayed whilst his
company was holding a very exposed position. Private
Duffy and another stretcher bearer went out to bring in
a seriously wounded comrade; when the other stretcher
bearer was wounded he returned to get another man;
when again going forward the relief stretcher bearer
was killed. Private Duffy then went forward alone and
under heavy fire succeeded in bringing both wounded
men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gal-
lantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives."
King George V presented him with his medal on
25th July 1918 at Buckingham Palace. He was also
awarded the 1914 Star, the British War medal, the
British Victory medal and the 1937 King George VI
Coronation medal.
When the war was over Private Duffy returned
to Letterkenny where he married Maggie Hegarty
in 1919 and raised a family of eight children. James Duffy
died on 7th April 1969 and was buried with full military
honours, organised by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers As-
sociation, in Conwal cemetery, Letterkenny.
In 2004, a new €22 million accommodation block
named after James Duffy VC was opened in Catterick
Infantry Training Grounds, Yorkshire,
England. His daughter, Nellie O'Donnell,
and granddaughter, Evelyn Gallagher,
attended the opening. Letterkenny Town
Council also acknowledged their native
son's achievement by erecting a stone
bench in his memory in July 2007 in Let-
terkenny Town Park.
Pte James Duffy's family,
with Comdt John Anderson
(right), 28 Inf Bn.
Pte James Duffy's medals
on display in Donegal
County Museum.
British troops on parade at Jaffa Gate during
the capture and occupation of Palestine,
December 1917. Photo: © Library of Congress
Prints & Photographs Division Washington
DC, USA
