A rare and historic medal awarded to a soldier for his part in the famous Easter Uprising in Dublin has sold at a Devon auction for £12,000.
The medal was awarded to William Partridge who fought against the British in the famous battle for Irish independence in 1916.
It was auctioned by the soldier's grandson who lives in Plymouth.
The medal, sold above estimate by telephone bid, was bought by a private collector and will return to Ireland.
"He wanted better living and working conditions for everyone"
More than 400 people died during the uprising and 2,500 were injured.
William Partridge, who was a Captain of the Irish Citizen Army, was captured and sentenced to 15 years in Dartmoor Prison for taking part in an armed rebellion and also for anti-recruitment speeches.
However, he was released from jail a short time later due to illness and died in 1917, aged 43.
The Easter Uprising medal was passed down through the soldier's family to his grandson, 58-year-old Sid McAuley.
"My mother Constance was born just after he died," Mr McAuley told BBC News.
"As I grew she up she used to talk to me about my granddad and what he'd done.
"He was an amazing man who stood up for the people of Ireland.
"He wanted better living and working conditions for everyone. That's what he believed in and that's what he fought for.
"I'm incredibly proud of him and the more people who know about him the better."
After learning more about his grandfather on a trip to Ireland last year, Mr McAuley said he and the family had discussed the possibility of opening a museum.
"Sadly those plans fell through, so I'm absolutely delighted the medal's been bought by a private collector and will be going back to its rightful home," he added.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~06~RS~)