Ceremony pays tribute to bravery of soldier

A soldier who received a Victoria Cross for his bravery fighting an Indian insurgence in 1857 was hailed an Irish hero today as a headstone was dedicated to his memory.

Defence Minister Michael Smith said Sergeant Major Cornelius Coughlan should be remembered with the respect given to every Irish soldier who has died fighting for peace.

For 89 years he has lain in an unmarked grave at the Aughvale Cemetery in Westport, Co Mayo. But the unveiling of his headstone, complete with full military ceremony, was heralded a magnanimous gesture which represented changed attitudes between Britain and Ireland.

Sgt Maj Coughlan was awarded the Victoria Cross for bringing a severely wounded soldier to safety under fire. He led his men in attack during the siege of Delhi, resulting in victory when the Kabul Gate was taken.

A monument was later erected above the gate bearing Sgt Maj Coughlan’s name, and Queen Victoria wrote to the soldier personally, complimenting his bravery.

Mr Smith described his leadership, initiative and courage as exceptional.

“That his heroism took place some four and a half thousand miles from his country is incidental,” he said.

“Heroism is heroism, whether it takes place in one’s back garden or at the opposite end of the world.

“That he participated in a military campaign that many people may frown upon today should not overly concern us either.

“This ceremony is not a statement about 19th century politics or the rights and wrongs of the British presence in India. It is simply an acknowledgement of the bravery of a forgotten Irish soldier.”

Sgt Maj Coughlan was born in East Galway. After serving with the British army for more than 21 years, he returned to Westport, where he lived for 40 years until his death, aged 87.

Mr Smith acknowledged that for much of the past 80 years, the very idea of such a memorial ceremony would have been unthinkable.

He said there had been a tendency in Ireland to overlook many Irish men and women who had travelled abroad to fight in foreign wars, but that those days had now passed.

“Today’s dedication ceremony is another small, but significant, step in our steady progress towards becoming a more inclusive and tolerant society,” he said.

“The men who served in the various regiments of the British army came from every corner of Ireland.

“Among them were protestants, catholics, unionists and nationalists, their differences transcended by a common commitment not to any flag but to their comrades and their Regiment.”

The Minister said he hoped the goals of the Good Friday Agreement would provide peace and new partnerships to the next generation.

Among those attending the ceremony were British Ambassador Stewart Eldon and Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, former chairman of Northern Ireland’s Legal Services Commission.

Relatives of Sgt Maj Coughlan also travelled from Glasgow and Bradford for the memorial.

The Victoria Cross is the British army’s highest honour. Out of 1,354 ever awarded, Sgt Maj Coughlan’s is one of around 200 awarded to Irish men.