1916 medal to go under the hammer
International interested expected when Easter Rising medal is sold at auction. By Ciaran Farrell - 07/02/08
A MEDAL awarded to an Irish soldier who took part in the Easter Rising in Dublin in 1916 is set to go under the auctioneer’s hammer.
The medal was awarded to William Patrick Partridge and has been passed down through his family to his grandson, Sid McAuley who lives in Thornbury in Devon.
He is now putting the medal up for auction at Plymouth Auctions Rooms. The sale takes place on February 16 ands is likely to attract widespread interest from all around the world, especially the USA.
Mr McAuley, who works as an instructor at the Ministry of Defence establishment at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, described the medal as being a "significant" piece of Irish history. He said he was "proud" of all that his grandfather achieved.
"I am, and will continue to be, very proud of my grandfather and everything he did," he said.
"I used to talk to my mother a great deal about him. He was a straightforward man really, who fought for people's rights.
"He was very proud and brave and ultimately wanted better living and working conditions for the people. He had more respect than most politicians."
William Patrick Partridge was an active trade unionist, early Sinn Feiner and trusted friend of James Connolly and Jim Larkin.
He formed the ITGWU and was directly involved in the 1913 Dublin Lockout.
Around this time he was also president of the ASE, a Dublin Labour councillor, and founder member of the Irish Labour Party.
During the Easter Rising he was a Captain of the Irish Citizen Army, working alongside the Volunteers.
He fought alongside Countess Markievicz at the College of Surgeons during the battle.
He was captured and sentenced to 15 years for taking part in an armed rebellion and also for anti-recruitment speeches.
He was shipped to Dartmoor Prison, but was later released due to illness. He died of Brights Disease at his home in 1917, aged 43.
Mr McAuley, 58, said he decided to sell the medal after consulting his family.
For the remainder of this article, see this week's Irish World
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