Circular bronze medal with scroll and laterally-pierced ball for ribbon suspension; the face with a full-length classically-dressed female figure representative of Ireland, a sword in her right hand, the point resting at her feet, an Irish wolfhound standing behind her, its leash in her left hand, circumscribed ‘Ré na Práinne’ (Emergency Period) in Old Gaelic script, signed ‘LAWRENCE CAMPBELL. R.H.A’; the reverse with a laurel branch centrally, the dates ‘1939’ and 1946’ to left and right respectively, circumscribed ‘Ranna Cabair Deontaca Cumann Croise Deirge na h-Éireann’ (Volunteer Aid Division, Irish Red Cross) in Old Gaelic script; on original ribbon with bronze top bar inscribed ‘Seirbís Náisiúnta’ (National Service) in Old Gaelic script, the reverse with pin for wear, with maker’s mark ‘PQ & C’ (for P. Quinn Ltd. of Dublin).
The medal was instituted on 6 October 1944 to reward service during World War II, referred to in Ireland as the ‘Emergency Period’, Ireland remaining neutral but vigilant.
The medal had eleven variations of the reverse for different service units. This example is for the Volunteer Aid Division of the Irish Red Cross whose main duties lay in supporting the armed forces and was awarded for a minimum of two years’ service.
In practice, it was not until 1947 that the medal was manufactured and distributed.
This version of the medal is comparatively rare.
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