Albert Medal in Gold, awarded to Corporal James McCarthy, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, on 24 January 1918

Gold, oval medal with the monogram, 'VA', on an enamelled red ground, within a garter bearing the inscription, 'For Gallantry in Saving Life on Land', surmounted by crown; suspended from a red and white ribbon.

Corporal James Francis McCarthy was serving in Palestine during World War One (1914-1918). He was in a bivouac when a grenade that was being cleaned by a young and inexperienced soldier was activated. McCarthy had a few brief moments in which to decide his course of action.

Captain Blanckenzee, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, reported that 'In the few seconds between the detonator's crack and the explosion of the grenade McCarthy realised that wherever he threw it there would be severe casualties among his comrades. He placed their lives before his own.'.

McCarthy chose to use his body to shield the other men from the explosion, sacrificing his life to save his comrades from certain death. Only the fact that this incident did not take place in the face of the enemy prevented him from being recommended for the Victoria Cross. The Albert Medal, named in memory of Prince Albert, was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1866 to reward heroic actions for saving life. Only 15 gold medals have been awarded in the Army. The Albert Medal has now been replaced by the George Cross.

From a medal group awarded to Corporal James McCarthy, Royal Irish Regiment, World War One, Egypt and Palestine (1914-1918)..