The medals board is actually happening because the Minister finally agreed to hear us out even after all this time. I am sitting here shaking a little bit because I honestly thought this might drag on forever but Billy is finally getting the recognition he deserves for everything he did …
June 17, 2023
Final supporters
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The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.
___________________________________________
Gallantry and Bravery
This petition is to ensure the memory of Billy kedian 1st Infantry battalion Galway and 85th Infantry Battalion S. Lebanon who sacrificed himself in the service of his comrades and country is properly honoured and decorated for his actions on that night.
Many men live today because of Billys actions.
On 31 May 1999, Pte William (Billy) Kedian (21), C Coy, 85 Inf Bn was killed by shrapnel when an 81 mm mortar round exploded in post 6-42 Brashit. Two mortar rounds had been fired from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and De Facto Forces (DFF) Compound W144. Two other members of the Post were wounded, Pte Ronnie Rushe (23) and Pte Darren Clarke (19).
Without any doubt Billy put his comrades lives before his own, he could have been the first one into the bunker but NO he made sure he got as many to safety as he could. Billy Kedian is a Hero and even though 24 years have passed he is regularly spoken about by his comrades in the First Battalion in Galway and also the whole Defence Forces.
He was on his second tour of duty with UNIFIL and his home unit was 1 Cn Cois at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway.
His body was flown home on Friday 4 Jun and it was brought to Knock Airport by Air Corps Casa aircraft.
On Saturday 5 Jun 1999, he was buried with full military honours at Ballyhaunis Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church.
Ronnie Rushe pulled through but is still affected by his injuries.
Darren Clarke made a full recovery.
Many troops in 6-42 and also troops in C Company have suffered from PTSD following this incident.
Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí dó.
The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
June 8, 2023
June 7, 2023
I find myself checking the count constantly because seeing that number climb toward five hundred makes the prospect of the Minister taking this seriously feel so much more real. If everyone who sees this just reached out to a handful of people right now we would blast past that milestone before the day is out and force them to pay attention to Billy properly.
Reached 100 supporters
June 5, 2023
349 Comments
Isn't it amazing that an outgoing Chief of Staff gets a DSM for sitting in his office, yet the backbone of our Defence Forces can give everything they have - their lives - in acts of bravery and get no recognition whatsoever. "If you dont win a Republic, the only thing you change is the flag and the accent of the oppressors"
Served with Billy in the 1st battalion.he was a quite young lad ,and a good soilder,he died trying to make sure.everyone was going to ground hog .the Irish government should hang the heads in shame if this medal is not Aawarded .he died making sure we lived
It’s time to recognise the sacrifice and bravery of Billy and all other Irishman who gave their lives while serving their country. This should not be the remit of politicians or civil servants as they cannot comprehend the importance of the gesture as they have never served.
Simply put, Billy died in the service of peace while directly acting to protect his comrades - that is heroism. As a nation and as an organisation the DF need to honour such acts of bravery and reform whatever rule, regulation or other obstacle that prevents us from honouring him and the ideals he lived and ultimately died upholding.
I had the privilege to take part in his guard of honour in Shamrock as his body was taken from the small Hospital and placed in an ambulance to start the first leg of the journey home to Ireland. It's a disgrace that his sacrifice has not been honoured to this day.
Good luck
Handing out DSM's to retiring senior Offrs like candy, but wont honour a true hero.. Shame on the MOD.
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The medals board is actually happening because the Minister finally agreed to hear us out even after all this time. I am sitting here shaking a little bit because I honestly thought this might drag on forever but Billy is finally getting the recognition he deserves for everything he did …
June 17, 2023
Final supporters
How to help
No monetary fee or contribution required .
Ignore platform request for voluntary contribution and sign.
Sign and share
The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.
___________________________________________
Gallantry and Bravery
This petition is to ensure the memory of Billy kedian 1st Infantry battalion Galway and 85th Infantry Battalion S. Lebanon who sacrificed himself in the service of his comrades and country is properly honoured and decorated for his actions on that night.
Many men live today because of Billys actions.
On 31 May 1999, Pte William (Billy) Kedian (21), C Coy, 85 Inf Bn was killed by shrapnel when an 81 mm mortar round exploded in post 6-42 Brashit. Two mortar rounds had been fired from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and De Facto Forces (DFF) Compound W144. Two other members of the Post were wounded, Pte Ronnie Rushe (23) and Pte Darren Clarke (19).
Without any doubt Billy put his comrades lives before his own, he could have been the first one into the bunker but NO he made sure he got as many to safety as he could. Billy Kedian is a Hero and even though 24 years have passed he is regularly spoken about by his comrades in the First Battalion in Galway and also the whole Defence Forces.
He was on his second tour of duty with UNIFIL and his home unit was 1 Cn Cois at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway.
His body was flown home on Friday 4 Jun and it was brought to Knock Airport by Air Corps Casa aircraft.
On Saturday 5 Jun 1999, he was buried with full military honours at Ballyhaunis Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church.
Ronnie Rushe pulled through but is still affected by his injuries.
Darren Clarke made a full recovery.
Many troops in 6-42 and also troops in C Company have suffered from PTSD following this incident.
Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí dó.
The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
June 8, 2023
June 7, 2023
I find myself checking the count constantly because seeing that number climb toward five hundred makes the prospect of the Minister taking this seriously feel so much more real. If everyone who sees this just reached out to a handful of people right now we would blast past that milestone before the day is out and force them to pay attention to Billy properly.
Reached 100 supporters
June 5, 2023
349 Comments
As an Irish-American veteran of the US Armed Forces, I am proud to sign this petition, and to be a part of this noble cause. RIP Pte William Kedian, Irish hero.
Isn't it amazing that an outgoing Chief of Staff gets a DSM for sitting in his office, yet the backbone of our Defence Forces can give everything they have - their lives - in acts of bravery and get no recognition whatsoever. "If you dont win a Republic, the only thing you change is the flag and the accent of the oppressors"
Served with Billy in the 1st battalion.he was a quite young lad ,and a good soilder,he died trying to make sure.everyone was going to ground hog .the Irish government should hang the heads in shame if this medal is not Aawarded .he died making sure we lived
It’s time to recognise the sacrifice and bravery of Billy and all other Irishman who gave their lives while serving their country. This should not be the remit of politicians or civil servants as they cannot comprehend the importance of the gesture as they have never served.
Simply put, Billy died in the service of peace while directly acting to protect his comrades - that is heroism. As a nation and as an organisation the DF need to honour such acts of bravery and reform whatever rule, regulation or other obstacle that prevents us from honouring him and the ideals he lived and ultimately died upholding.
I had the privilege to take part in his guard of honour in Shamrock as his body was taken from the small Hospital and placed in an ambulance to start the first leg of the journey home to Ireland. It's a disgrace that his sacrifice has not been honoured to this day.
Good luck
Handing out DSM's to retiring senior Offrs like candy, but wont honour a true hero.. Shame on the MOD.
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As an Irish-American veteran of the US Armed Forces, I am proud to sign this petition, and to be a part of this noble cause. RIP Pte William Kedian, Irish hero.