Republic of Ireland 50th Aniversary of the F.C.A. recently sold on Ebay.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents

very recently this item was placed under the virtual hammer:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=022

Sellers Description:

In excellent condition, struck to mark the 50th anniversary of An F?rsa Cosanta Aitiuil, the reserve force of the Irish Defence Forces. The medal is full size and comes with ribbon bar.

I did think that this medal was only a commemorative issue but at the Special Olympics held in Dublin in 2002 and at the 2004 Spring Show in the RDS I saw several FCA NCO?s wearing the medal with service medals.

End of Seller Blurb.

The medal sold for GB115.51p

Its is an unofficial Commemorative item, designed and paid for by a Mr. Frank Lane.

Some basic research revealed the following:

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE MEDAL Foras Cosanta Aituil (F.C.A.) 1946-1996

The Golden Jubilee of the Foras Cosanta Aituil {army reserves} took place in 1996 and the Government celebrated the

occasion by presenting each F.C.A. sub unit in the country with a plaque (which in most instances was dumped, but in some

units, including the H.Q. of the 9th Field Artillery Regiment, Columb Barracks, Mullingar, it is mounted on the wall of the

conference room.

A lot of pressure was put on Mr. Seamus Barrett, Minister for Defence to recognise this occasion with a medal,

as usual the Minister and the Government choose the easy way and maybe the cheapest way out.

Mr. Frank Lane former N.C.O. of the 7th Infantry Battalion {F.C..A} and now an N.C.O. in An Slua Muiri (The Naval Reserve)

in one of the Dublin Companies, produced this Medal privately for former F.C.A. members & S.M. members who are now

members of the Organisation of National Ex-service men, (O.N.E.)

Obverse:

A barrack scene is in the back ground with two F.C.A. soldiers in the foreground .

The Soldier on the left carries a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and dressed in a short blouse type uniform.

The soldier on the right carries an F.N. 7.62 rifle and is dressed in the present No 1 uniform.

The date of the foundation of the F.C.A. which is recorded in history is on the left, 1946 and,

on the right is the date 1996, the 50th Anniversary of the F.C.A.

Reverse:

The Inscription ?An Foras Cosanta Aituil? in slightly raised letters with a raised rim and centre circle with space for the

recipient?s name.

Ribbon: Green to represent Ireland its volunteer's and the colour of the uniform worn by the F.C.A.

Suspension: An plain straight bar is fixed to the medal with the ribbon threaded through

Designer: Mr. Frank Lane.

Manufactures: M.M.I. Ltd Ireland.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited March 1, 2008 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

The Naval Reserve (An Slua Muire) version of the 50th Anniversary of the F.C.A. Medal.

Only the reverse is different from the Army Reserve Medal.

Obverse:

A barrack scene is in the back ground with two F.C.A. soldiers in the foreground .

The Soldier on the left carries a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and dressed in a short blouse type uniform.

The soldier on the right carries an F.N. 7.62 rifle and is dressed in the present No 1 uniform.

The date of the foundation of the F.C.A. which is recorded in history is on the left, 1946 and,

on the right is the date 1996, the 50th Anniversary of the F.C.A.

Reverse:

The Inscription ?An Slua Muire? in slightly raised letters with a raised rim and centre circle with space for the recipient?s name.

Ribbon: Green to represent Ireland its volunteer and the colour of the uniform worn by the F.C.A.

Suspension: An plain straight bar is fixed to the medal with the ribbon threaded through.

Designer: Mr. Frank Lane.

Manufactures: M.M.I. Ltd Ireland.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited March 1, 2008 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

With regards the two medals in this thread,

they are NOT allowed to be worn on the military uniform

of serving members of the Reserve Defence Force or Slua Muire

(the F.C.A being officially stood down.)

They were of private manufacture and solely for the use on the Blazer's of

retired members of the F.C.A. / S.M. / R.D.F.

Kevin in Deva.