James Duffy : Short Biography

James Duffy was born at Thor, Crolly, Gweedore on 17th November 1889 to Peter and Kate Duffy and as a young baby was brought to live in Bonagee, Letterkenny.

After the Great War broke out, James joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Glasgow in December 1914. In 1917 for his heroic actions in Palestine that he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Pte James Duffy won his VictoriaCross during the Defence of Jerusalem on 27th December 1917. He was an unarmed stretcher bearer, who went through heavy fire carrying the wounded one by one over his shoulder. Afterwards he noticed that his own uniform has bullet holes in it. His citation appeared in the London Gazette 4th supplement on 27th February 1918; 

Private James Duffy Reg. No. 6/17978 with the 6th Batt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (10th Division) was cited –  

‛For most conspicuous bravery at Kereina Peak, Palestine on 27th December 1917, displayed whilst his company was holding a very exposed position. Private Duffy, a stretcher bearer and another stretcher-bearer went out under heavy fire to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the stretcher-bearer was wounded, James returned again to get another man. Both men went forward into the line of fire and the relief stretcher bearer was killed. Private Duffy then went forward alone, and under heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men’s lives, and throughout he showed an utter disregard of danger under heavy fire'. 

He died on 7th April 1969 at his home in Drumany and is buried in the Conwal Cemetery, Letterkenny. His VC is in the collection of the Inniskillings Museum at Enniskillen Castle, Co. Fermanagh.