Medal of honour for Coolbawn war veteran

Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society congratulates Mr James Moore, Coolbawn, on the occasion of him being awarded the rank of Knight (Chevalier) of 'The Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur' by the French Minister Jean-Marc Todeschini.

James was honoured at a ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on Sunday November 14th last. The Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur is the highest French order for military and civil merits, established by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802. It was awarded to James in recognition and to honour his significant personal contribution in the defence of the freedom of France during World War II.

Members of Terryglass Historical Society were proud to attend the event and it was a privilege to be to be present with his family and to witness James receiving this award. Afterwards, when we congratulated James, his reply was: “It’s for all the others who are gone.” Well James Moore, you made all of us very proud and we are sure those who are gone were standing to attention and would have been very proud of you too.

 

It is very significant that the day James received the Légion d’Honneur was on the occasion of the Dedication of the French-Ireland memorial at Glasnevin by the French Government. It is a gift to the Irish people who helped to defend France in 1870-1871, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

 

James represented all of those men and women, but he also represented all the families from the Lower Ormond area and beyond that had family members in those wars and did so, so very well. Thank you, James.