Museum of the Manchester Regiment Object Focus

Frederick Thorley Finucane’s Medals

These are the medals earned by Fred Finucane during the First World War (1914-1918). Fred’s parents were Theodore and Emily Finucane of The Brow, Bardsley, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Fred enlisted in Ashton-under-Lyne and served with ‘B’ Company, 1/9th Battalion the Manchester Regiment. Fred was only 15 years old when he went overseas to Egypt in 1914.

The local newspaper wrote he was ‘probably the youngest in the battalion’. Fred clearly enjoyed serving with the battalion, his letters home showing him to be both cheerful and happy. In one letter he wrote about seeing the pyramids.

Fred died on 27 November 1914 of dysentery. He was 15 years old. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. For his service in the army, Fred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal. Fred’s medals can be seen in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.