The 1917 to 1921 Service Medal (Black and Tan) With Comrac Bar

This medal was awarded to those who were deemed to have taken part in the Irish War of Independence. There were two types of medal with Comrac bar issued, named and un-named. Named medals were issued to those Killed in Action or who had died between the end of the war and the issuing of the medals in 1941. There is no difference in design between named and un-named medals. COMRAC is Gaelic for Struggle.

The official Department of Defence description of those entitled to a Service Medal with Comrac Bar is Service (1917-1921) Medals were awarded to persons who were in possession of a Military Service Certificate entitling them to a pension under the Military Service Pensions Acts in respect of the period which ended with the Truce of 11th of July 1921. I have covered the application for Military Service Pensions in more detail in Researching Irish Medals section.

The recipient of this medal, Captain Hugh Thornton, was killed by Anti-Treaty troops on Sunday the 27th of August 1922 while travelling through Clonakilty County Cork. He was travelling in a Lancia car when ambushed. His body was returned to Dublin in the Steamship Minerva leaving Cork at 6pm on Wednesday the 30th of August arriving in Dublin about 11am on Thursday the 31st. The body was removed to Portobello Barracks and subsequently to Rathmines Roman Catholic Church. Captain Thornton was buried in the Irish Army plot at Glasnevin cemetery on Friday the 1st September. It is also possible to get medals named and numbered privately by the recipient, styles of naming differ from the professionally engraved to those scratched on with a sharp instrument.

The number of Service Medals with Comrac Bar issued has become a source of debate among collectors, I would say the number issued would be in the region of 20,000, this includes original issue and replacement issue. Another topic of debate among the collecting community is the numbering system used when issuing posthumous medals. Personally I think there was no system and medals were numbered as the application for the medal was received, also, if there was a system used I think there would be little chance of working it out because of the amount of personally numbered medals and medals falsely numbered by those seeking to increase the value of the medal.

The 1917-1921 Miniature Service Medal
	As with all other miniature medals the miniature service medal was not awarded with the full size medal but had to be purchased by the recipient. Medals with pin bars are as common as those without and the makers name is usually stamped on the back of the COMRAC bar rather than the pin bar.

The miniature medals were supposed to be purchased from a Ministry of Defence approved jeweller, QUINN being one of those approved jewellers, but in some cases where unapproved miniatures were purchased no makers mark will appear on the medal.

The makers name on this miniature is QUINN the same maker as the full size medal.

The 1917 to 1921 Service Medal (Black and Tan) Without Comrac Bar

The official description of recipients of this medal is Medal, without bar to persons whose service is not deemed to be active military service, but who were members of Oglaigh na hEireann (Irish Republican Army), Fianna Eireann, Cumann na mBan or the Irish Citizen Army for the three months ended on the 11th of July 1921.

The design of the medal is described as A circular medal approximately one and three fifth inches in diameter bearing on the obverse the Arm of the Four Provinces of Ireland. In the centre appears a standing figure, facing front, depicting a Volunteer, a member of a guerrilla force – termed “Flying Column” – of the period 1917 – 1922 in typical dress (trench coat and cap with rifle, revolver and bandoleer). The word “EIRE” (meaning Ireland) appears horizontally across the centre of the medal in large letters (two either side of the figure). The words “Cogadh na Saoirse” which are translated “The Fight For Freedom” appear below.

The official description of the reverse (Back) of the medal is The reverse shows a Palm Leaf symbolic of victory.

The ribbon should show the black to the left when looking at the medal being worn. The reason the medal is know as the Black and Tan medal and the official reason for these particular colours being chosen are The combination of the colours black and tan was adapted by reason of its association with the terms “Black and Tan” which had a particular significance in relation to the strength for independence during the years 1917 – 1921. The term Black and Tan was applied to individual members of a body of auxiliary or quasi-military police employed by the British Government in Ireland during the latter part of the struggle for Independence. The term “Black and Tan War” came to be applied to the struggle during that period because in the initial stages of organisation, they wore a black tunic and tan trousers owing to the shortage of the complete uniform.

1971 Survivors Medal
	In 1971 this commemorative medal was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the War of Independence. The medal was awarded to all those who had taken part in the War of Independence who was still alive in 1971 and is known as the Survivors medal.

The design was the same as the 1917 – 1921 Service Medal apart from the Palm leaf had 1917-21 in raised letters beside it and a different colour for the ribbon. This same medal was issued to Survivors who had originally received the Service Medal with or without Comrac bar.