The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 46, November 12, 2006, Article 17

LORD ASHCROFT BUYS THE JAMES MAGENNIS VICTORIA CROSS

According for a November 11 article in the Belfast Telegraph,
"The owner of the only Victoria Cross awarded to an Ulsterman in
WW2 has paid tribute to the hero to whom it was awarded.

The rare medal of courage was awarded to Leading Seaman James
Magennis for bravery in a submarine mission towards the end of
the WW2.

Conservative Party deputy chairman Lord Michael Ashcroft bought
the medal as the first part of his coveted collection of honours.
In the past 20 years, he has collected 145 of the rare medals."

"It is understood the medal was sold by Magennis to Belfast
dealer Joe Kavanagh for £75 in the 1950s when needed the cash.

It was later returned to him but, years later, the family put
it up for auction."

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Lord Ashcroft ... said:
"It started as a lifelong fascination. I was in awe of people who
had performed heroic acts in the face of terrifying threats. What
motivated them? Was most people's bravery premeditated or a spur
of the moment response to the heat of battle? Then I discovered
that VCs sometimes come up for sale."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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