How many Victoria crosses were awarded to Southern Irish soldiers in World War 2?

Answer:

Answer

Some might expect that since the Irish Free State was NEUTRAL during WW2, NONE were awarded.

However, 4 Irish from independent Ireland won the award in the second World War.

1 from Northern Ireland won also, a Catholic from the Falls Road, West Belfast.

It's worth mentioning that a large percentage of the small Irish Army actually deserted to go over and fight in the UK forces. In fact, larger numbers from the Irish Free State served in UK forces than from Northern Ireland.

It should also be noted that most Irish V.C. awards date from the 19th century*. After that, for political reasons including nationalist agitation against recruitment, many Irish were much less inclined to join up. This is on top of a trend that can be seen as a steady decline in their percentage of the British Army from the 1830's, when they were the largest nationality in the army, to the beginning of the Boer War when they made up 12% of the army and 11% of the population. This trend reflected both a decrease in percentage of the UK population as well as emigration of young men and increasing nationalism and feelings of injustice resulting from the policies of the UK. During World War 1 Ireland, partly because of the lack of conscription there as opposed to other parts of the UK, had a slightly lower percentage of its population in uniform than England, though slightly more than Sotland and signifigantly more than Wales.

• (Between the founding of the award, during the Crimean War, until the start of the Boer War the Irish percentage declined from around 1/3 to the above mentioned 12% yet for most categories of other ranks, such as privates, lance corporals and corporals, various sergeants, musicians, etc. the Irish held the highest number of V.C.'s. during the period)