medal / Aud, 1931

One of the medals presented to members of the crew of the 'Aud', the German ship used in an attempt to land arms on the Kerry coast for the 1916 Rising. The presentation was made by Mr. John T. Ryan in the Mecca Temple, New York City, Easter Sunday, 5 April 1931 on behalf of the Irish Republican Organisation in America. Obverse: A bust of Captain Karl Spindler in naval commander's uniform; laurels and inscription: 'Kapitan Karl Spindler Kommandant S.M.S. Libau' Around: 'Blockade Durchbrugh S.M. Hilfskreuzer Ligau (Aud) Nach Irland' 8-22 April 1916. Reverse: inscription in Irish. A similar medal in gold was on the same occasion presented to Captain Spindler. The medal he received was struck from five sovereigns which formed a portion of sums of money given by Mr. Manfred de Cordonel Findlay British Minister in Norway, to Adler Christenson for the purpose of inducing him to betray his employer Sir Roger Casement. Name of Medallist 'Godet & Co. Charlotten Str. 55. Berlin W.8.' The details of the design were planned by Mr. J.T. Ryan.;