Thomas Woodley MedalsDuring July, 2004, Monica Daly presented the medals awarded to her Grandfather, Thomas Woodley, Chief Officer Coast Guard who served in the Coast Guard Station in Howth , Co. Dublin to Captain Liam Kirwan, then Director of the Irish Coast Guard.’
‘Woodleys Medals (Tayleur Fund medal, Baltic 1855 medal, New Zealand War 1860-65 medal and a Naval Long Service and Good Conduct medal) were retained by the family until the summer of 2004 when his granddaughter, Monica Daly, presented them to the Howth Coast Guard Station.’ Biographical details: Before becoming the Chief Coastguard Officer at Howth, Woodley had served for some time in the Royal Navy, seeing action during the Baltic campaign of 1855 and later in the second New Zealand war when he served aboard HMS Pelorus as the Captain Mizzen Top (a petty officer rank). When Woodley later retired from the Coastguard service, c. 1893, the presentation then given to him was recorded as follows by the local newspaper: On Sunday evening Mr Thomas Woodley, lately Chief Officer of Howth Coastguard Station, was the recipient of a Testimonial from the people of Howth, the occasion being marked by a supper in the St Lawrence Hotel, given by some residents. The Testimonial took the shape of a valuable gold watch, on which the following was engraved Presented by a number of his friends to Mr Thomas Woodley, Chief Officer, Coastguards, at Howth, on the occasion of his retiring from the service, 1893. Mr Woodley, during his service in the Coastguards, was instrumental in saving many lives from drowning, for which he received several medals, as also for long service, good conduct etc. He spent the last 12 years in charge of Howth Station, and now retires on full pension, having won the esteem and good wishes of all who knew him. Woodley died in 1917.more.. |