MULVANEY Michael John

29966, Corporal, 1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 18 February 1919, p2423

Citation 10 January 1920, p482

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 8th October 1918, near Crevecoeur.  On reaching the final objective it was found that the enemy,

about fifty strong, was holding a strongly wired fence with three machine guns.  He was immediately singled out by an enemy machine gun, but with his

second burst of fire he killed the Nos. 1 and 2: a moment later he disposed of a second machine gun in the same way

Military Medal

Gazetted 17 June 1919, p7700, Rec No 3222

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Le Quesnoy on 4th November 1918.  During the attack on this date Corporal MULVANEY was in

charge of a Lewis Gun section.  On coming to the railway line he encountered an enemy machine gun which was holding up the advance of the

Company on his right.  Ordering his number 1 to engage the gun, he himself worked round to a flank and alone rushed the post capturing the

machine gun and four of the enemy.  By his prompt action and disregard of danger he undoubtedly saved his Battalion a great many casualties. 

Throughout the action he led his section with dash and set a fine example to his men.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 23 May 1893, Mahitahi, New Zealand

Drowned 26 November 1921, in Mikonui River, South Westland, New Zealand

BIOGRAPHICAL

29966 Corporal Michael (Mick) John Mulvaney who was in charge of a Lewis gun section in the NZ Rifle Brigade. Mick served in Western Europe where in contrast to Jimmy, his younger brother, he wasn't shot, nor gassed. His injury was an infected knee. Mick received the D.C.M. Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 8/1/1918, near Crevecoeur.    He was awarded the MM for gallant duty near Le Quesnoy on 4/11/1918 where he saved his Battalion a great many casualties when throughout his swift action he led his section with dash and set a fine example to his men.

Post WW1, in 1921 with his cousin Matt Nolan of Ross they were in a partnership in a gold claim up the Mikonui river gorge. They were travelling down the river from their claim riding two horses. Matt was on 'Fowl' and Mick was on 'Roanie'; there was a section of the gorge where Matt opted for the longer route thinking it was safer as the river was quite flush after all the rain. Mick on the other hand decided to take the shortcut straight down the rapids when he and his horse plunged into the ferocious rapids. Roanie fought to go back but the current was too strong and both horse and Mick were washed down the river to their deaths.

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT