100th Anniversary Revisiting of Lieut. George Craig's IRA Ambush M.B.E.

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Hello Gents,    Although I've discussed this particularly early Post WW1 M.B.E. Group here not all that long ago, I've finally took the initiative to dig it out & photograph the medal's Reverse & Obverse to show the naming & other details, which I never included in my intial Post. Just for the record, it's the M.B.E. as awarded to Lieutenant George Craig, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, for his actions on 03 May 1921 while leading his Lewis Gun Detachment during an IRA ambush at Tourkmeady, County Mayo on 03 May 1921. Both Lt.'s Craig & his immediate Superior Lieut. Geoffery Ibberson both recieved M.B.E.'s for their actions that day. Lieut. Ibberson, who was severely wounded during the prolonged action, & ended his career as an Major. [ Ibberson's personal papers pertaing to the event may be found amongst the I.W.M. collections. ] As I indicated earlier, I personally feel that the naming as found on its reverse was most definitely done at the behest of the recipient, probably, although not verified the engraving was done sometime around 1945 +/-. I have traced this medals provenance / 'chain of custody' back to at least April 1967, & possess the relevant documents alluding to that fact. At that particular time, the medal was in the process of being researched by an U.S. based collector / researcher, & specifically refers to the naming, & also confirms his final as that of Captain, H.M. Forces. Plus, at the time, it was owned by a very well noted U.S. collector, researcher, & prolific author of medal collecting articles. [ As may be found in 'J.O.M.S.A.', the semi-monthly publication of 'O.M.S.A.', the U.S. equivalent of the U.K.'s 'O.M.R.S.'. Soooo, based upon all the available evidence, I do honestly believe this M.B.E. to be genuine & correct, although we're all aware that it was not 'officially engraved', so to speak. 

 

This particular action has been extensively written about, & IIRC, there were 3 books published about it. My renewed interest in this particular group was sparked due to my recently coming across an online publication of the revised edition of a book detailing this event, written by the son of the original author, who has since passed away. Apparently, due to the events 100th year anniversary, the authors son decided to make his 'new' edition available to all, free of charge. Please see the following Link if interested in this most recent account of the day's events;

https://www.cltme.ie/newbook  In closing, I ask that if anyone here has ANY information, & or any comments relevant to this award, I would deeply appreciate hearing them !!  THANK YOU Gentleman !!