Fundraiser launched for bust of first Irish soldier to receive Military Medal for Gallantry
The idonate.ie fundraiser has been created by the Irish United Nations Veterans Association with the aim of commemorating the brave actions of Anthony Browne, as well as other members of the ill-fated Congo Niemba Ambush patrol.
The event saw nine Irish soldiers lose their lives, with Trooper Browne helping many of his squad escape before being killed himself, earning him the honour of the Military Medal for Gallantry (MMG) which is the equivalent of the British Victoria Cross — the first soldier of the Irish Defence Forces to receive such an honour. Anthony Browne. Pic: Supplied
In 1960, Dubliner Browne was deployed to the Belgium Congo as a UN Peacekeeper aged just 19, and his heroic actions have led the UN vets to try and create a bust of Anthony in Dublin, using it as a place to visit, and talk about the brave Irish soldiers that have represented the country.
Michael Buggy, who created the idonate.ie page, shared more of the Rialto native's story: 'On November 8, 1960 he was a member of an 11 strong reconnaissance patrol commanded by Lt Kevin Gleeson a Carlow man. During this patrol they were ambushed by Baluba Tribesmen over 100 strong. The 1962 funeral in Dublin of trooper Anthony Browne, one of the victims of the Niemba ambush. Pic: Supplied
'Nine members of the patrol lost their lives in the ambush, two members miraculously survived, eight bodies were recovered from the ambush scene and the two survivors were removed for medical care.
'Trooper Browne's body was not recovered until two years later from an unmarked grave in the bush, on information received from locals. The scene at the bridge shortly before the first bodies were recovered after the Battle of Niemba in The Congo in November 1960. Pic: Supplied
'One of the survivors in his subsequent report attributed his survival to the action taken by Anthony Browne, [and hence he] was awarded posthumously, the Military Medal of Honour (With, Distinction) in recognition of his exceptional bravery during the Niemba Ambush. All nine were also awarded the Military Star posthumously.'
The group has set a target of €20,000, with Buggy adding: 'Your donation will help us fund a bust, not only to his memory, but also to all the other members of that ill-fated Congo Niemba Ambush patrol in 1960 which is still etched on the memory of all Military Personnel and the Thousands of mourners that lined O'Connell St, Dublin, on the return home of their bodies for Internment.'
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