| "Our Mickey"
Michael O’Rourke, War Hero |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Though born in Limerick, Ireland Michael James “Our Mickey” O’Rourke authored several important chapters in Canadian history during the early 20th Century. A decorated war hero, O’Rourke also made significant contributions to Canada as a miner and labour activist, yet he would die in virtual obscurity in a Veteran’s Hospital in 1957. Orphaned at a young age Mickey O’Rourke eventually made his way to Vancouver, British Columbia and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915. In 1916 O’Rourke was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery at Mon Quet Farm for his heroic defense efforts during the Battle of the Somme in September of that year. A year later during the Battle of Vimy O’Rourke displayed more courage when his work as a stretcher bearer helped save the lives of many wounded, while under heavy fire. These actions led to his being awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross at a gala ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Years later, despite having severe physical difficulties, O’Rourke led 1,000 striking dock workers in the “Battle” of Ballantyne pier in British Columbia in an effort to secure better working conditions for longshoremen. The second most decorated member of Canadian armed forces, Mickey O’Rourke died alone and in poverty at the Shaughnessey Veterans Hospital in Vancouver. His portrait hangs in the Canadian War Museum inOttawa. Source: The Canadian Committee on Labour History c.2001 The History Cooperative |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mickey O'Rourke (1879-1957)-A highly decorated war hero from the first World War | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To O'Rourke Historical Profiles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WANT MORE! BUY An Irish Odyssey- A History of the Family of O'Rourke by Stephen Vincent O'Rourke - a detailed account of the history surrounding the O'Rourke surname.
If your surname is O'Rourke or one of its' variants or if you are friends with an O'Rourke, you owe it to yourself to buy this unique book. Written, researched and edited by Irish-American Stephen Vincent O'Rourke this book is the first history of the family written by one of it's own.Higginson Books of Salem, MA is offering this title on a print-to order book as a softcover or hardcover. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WANT MORE! BUY An Irish Odyssey- A History of the Family of O'Rourke by Stephen Vincent O'Rourke - a detailed account of the history surrounding the O'Rourke surname.. If your surname is O'Rourke or one of its' variants or if you are friends with an O'Rourke, you owe it to yourself to buy this unique book. Written, researched and edited by Irish-American Stephen Vincent O'Rourke this book is the first history of the family written by one of it's own.Higginson Books of Salem, MA is offering this title on a print-to order book as a softcover or hardcover. |  |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donate to this site via Paypal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donate to the O'Rourke Historical Profiles with a donation via Paypal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
