The D'Olyly Carte Opera Company was in Dublin in 1916 and due to open at the Gaiety Theatre on the Bank Holiday Monday, 24th April 1916. A programme at the National Library of Ireland indicates that they were due to perform The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, The Mikado The Pirates of Penzance, Patience and the Yeomen of the Guard.
Amongst the group was Sir Henry Lytton and some of his experiences during the Rising appears in an online book.
Lytton was to later receive an award for his services by former Prime Minister Lloyd George (who interfered so much in Ireland).
Lytton's last performance with the D'Oyly Carte was in 1934, ironically at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Dublin after the Six Days' Insurrection
A small publication of photographs that appeared after the Easter Rising was entitled "Dublin after the Six Days' Insurrection'. The 31 photographs from the publication can be viewed online via Villanova University.
The photographer/author of this booklet was Mr T W Murphy, editor/sub-editor of The Motor News publication.
A couple of the photographs contain images of "Loyal Dublin Volunteers". These are members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps (IAVTC). Thomas William Murphy was himself a member of this civilian organisation and was the organiser/Honorary Secretary of the Dublin Motorcyclists' VTC with an address at 34, Lower Abbey St, Dublin. The Commander of the Motorcyclists VTC is given as Pack-Beresford but I've yet to find out his forename (possibly Hugh Pack Beresford as an H Pack-Beresford was mentioned in some VTC items in the newspapers in 1915)
The photographer/author of this booklet was Mr T W Murphy, editor/sub-editor of The Motor News publication.
A couple of the photographs contain images of "Loyal Dublin Volunteers". These are members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps (IAVTC). Thomas William Murphy was himself a member of this civilian organisation and was the organiser/Honorary Secretary of the Dublin Motorcyclists' VTC with an address at 34, Lower Abbey St, Dublin. The Commander of the Motorcyclists VTC is given as Pack-Beresford but I've yet to find out his forename (possibly Hugh Pack Beresford as an H Pack-Beresford was mentioned in some VTC items in the newspapers in 1915)
Murphy made a claim for property lost during the Easter Rising at 34 Lower Abbey Street.
In a couple of Easter Rising photos, members of the VTC are wearing a Police duty band on the sleeve of their left arm. This type of band can be seen more clearly in the following photograph of DMP constables. The VTC had been sworn in as Special Constables by Sir Horace Plunkett at Beggar's Bush Barracks. The VTC were stood down on May 12th 1916 (based on a letter appearing in the Irish Times addressed to R A Anderson, Hon Secretary of the IAVTC, by Colonel Edgeworth-Johnson, DMP Commissioner).
In the 1901 census and the 1911 census T W Murphy is recorded as a journalist.
Worth noting that while both Liberty Hall and Northumberland House next door are damaged, neither caught fire as a result of the shelling.
In a couple of Easter Rising photos, members of the VTC are wearing a Police duty band on the sleeve of their left arm. This type of band can be seen more clearly in the following photograph of DMP constables. The VTC had been sworn in as Special Constables by Sir Horace Plunkett at Beggar's Bush Barracks. The VTC were stood down on May 12th 1916 (based on a letter appearing in the Irish Times addressed to R A Anderson, Hon Secretary of the IAVTC, by Colonel Edgeworth-Johnson, DMP Commissioner).
2nd June 2020
@irelandincolour has a good Tweet re the colourisation of one of the images from the booklet, showing the impact of shelling from the HMY Helga and the 18pounder artillery
@irelandincolour has a good Tweet re the colourisation of one of the images from the booklet, showing the impact of shelling from the HMY Helga and the 18pounder artillery
Worth noting that while both Liberty Hall and Northumberland House next door are damaged, neither caught fire as a result of the shelling.
George Parker and 10 Rutland Square, Dublin 1916
In looking for information re Pte T Parker, 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment, and his activities during the Easter Rising, fellow Easter Rising researcher Robus from boards.ie flagged up the arrest of George Parker from 10 Rutland Square.
The address is of interest personally as my Gt Gt Grandmother gave this as her address when she married in 1877.
10 Rutland Square, also called Fowlers Hall, was a base for various Orange Lodges in the Dublin area and from approximately 1913 onwards was the HQ for an Ulster Volunteer Force spin off group called the Loyal Dublin Volunteers. In the 1930's an arms cache was found in the basement of 10 Rutland Square that has been attributed to the Loyal Dublin Volunteers.
In August 1915, 200 members of the Loyal Dublin Volunteers enrolled in the Volunteer Training Corps (a civilian, non-political organisation formed for home defence and support work who were to have a role in the Easter Rising).
It would be interesting to understand under what circumstances George Parker was arrested and how he fared being interned with Irish Volunteers.
George and family were at 10 Rutland Square in the 1901 and 1911 census.
Rutland Square gets a mention in the witness statement of Sean McLoughlin and in the difficult to read diary of J R Clark.
The address is of interest personally as my Gt Gt Grandmother gave this as her address when she married in 1877.
10 Rutland Square, also called Fowlers Hall, was a base for various Orange Lodges in the Dublin area and from approximately 1913 onwards was the HQ for an Ulster Volunteer Force spin off group called the Loyal Dublin Volunteers. In the 1930's an arms cache was found in the basement of 10 Rutland Square that has been attributed to the Loyal Dublin Volunteers.
In August 1915, 200 members of the Loyal Dublin Volunteers enrolled in the Volunteer Training Corps (a civilian, non-political organisation formed for home defence and support work who were to have a role in the Easter Rising).
It would be interesting to understand under what circumstances George Parker was arrested and how he fared being interned with Irish Volunteers.
George and family were at 10 Rutland Square in the 1901 and 1911 census.
Rutland Square gets a mention in the witness statement of Sean McLoughlin and in the difficult to read diary of J R Clark.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Conscripted Irish Volunteers
Following the Easter Rising and the imprisonment of Irish Volunteers in Fron Goch and prisons around the UK (Wakefield, Stafford, Dartmoor), attempts were made by the authorities to find out who was eligible for conscription into the Army.
In his witness statement, Seamus Ua Caomhanaigh mentions the Nunan brothers being conscripted along with Pat and George King and Hughie Thornton. Mention is made of them being treated as Conscientious Objectors.
The Conscientious Objector label gets a mention in Ernest Nunans' army file (number 11/6151, 9th Battn London Regiment) but not in the file of his brother John/Sean (number 6256/323184, 6th Battn London Regt). Both appear to have refused to sign attestation papers or to have had medicals; both sentenced to terms in military prisons for refusing to obey lawful orders. Both released 1917. Ernest was charged at Marylebone Police Court under Section 15 of the Reserve Forces Act.
Hugh Thornton (number 32285, 65th Training Battalion) received a military prison sentence for refusing to obey a lawful order. He refused to sign forms and also refused to wear khaki uniform. Conscripted 13/9/1916; discharged 21/12/1916. Thornton gave his home address as that of the Kimmage Garrison while his fathers address was Edgehill. Liverpool. He became Vice O/C 3rd Cork Brigade and was killed in the Civil War. His brother Frank served with Michael Collin's Squad.
In his witness statement, Seamus Ua Caomhanaigh mentions the Nunan brothers being conscripted along with Pat and George King and Hughie Thornton. Mention is made of them being treated as Conscientious Objectors.
The Conscientious Objector label gets a mention in Ernest Nunans' army file (number 11/6151, 9th Battn London Regiment) but not in the file of his brother John/Sean (number 6256/323184, 6th Battn London Regt). Both appear to have refused to sign attestation papers or to have had medicals; both sentenced to terms in military prisons for refusing to obey lawful orders. Both released 1917. Ernest was charged at Marylebone Police Court under Section 15 of the Reserve Forces Act.
Hugh Thornton (number 32285, 65th Training Battalion) received a military prison sentence for refusing to obey a lawful order. He refused to sign forms and also refused to wear khaki uniform. Conscripted 13/9/1916; discharged 21/12/1916. Thornton gave his home address as that of the Kimmage Garrison while his fathers address was Edgehill. Liverpool. He became Vice O/C 3rd Cork Brigade and was killed in the Civil War. His brother Frank served with Michael Collin's Squad.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
German PoWs in Ireland 1914-1915
Templemore
Richmond Barracks in Templemore, Co Tipperary seems to have been used to hold about 2300 German (and possibly Austrian) prisoners of war from the early days of WW1 through to about March 1915. The prisoners were then moved to Lancashire, England on the pre-text that there were problems with the sanitation at the barracks. It subsequently appears that the authorities were concerned with attempts by local Irish Volunteers to make contact with the prisoners.
There isn't a lot of information about the PoWs time at Richmond.
The UK National Archives mentions that :
Berthold Hilscher, Adjutant in the Reserve Regiment 211, interned in Templemore, Ireland: notification of promotion to rank of lieutenant; transfer to officers' camp.
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0116.pdf#page=5
http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/col_yr_bk_english.pdf
Oldcastle, Co Meath
Oldcastle appears to have been used as an internment centre for German and Austrian civilians though there is some mention of German soldiers being there. Again, information is hard to come by.
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0161.pdf#page=12
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0215.pdf#page=7
http://newsandsport.ie/leads/read/items/oldcastles-wartime-role-to-be-explored
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Oldcastle/
Mountjoy Prison
It would appear that a number of Germans were held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for some reason. Possibly to do with contact with Irish Volunteers (this is pure speculation on my part at this stage and needs further investigation) :
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0942.pdf#page=2
Easter Rising - Pte T Parker
One of the names that appears in the list of those arrested after the Easter Rising and imprisoned is Parker T, 12 Hollaf Row, Dublin (Pte 2nd Leinster Regiment).
I think Hollaf Row is Holles Row and that this is possibly the 1911 census entry for Pte T(homas) Parker and family.
No other information forthcoming at the moment.
There is a story that a soldier in Enniscorthy joined the rising there. The only reference I can find so far is the name Miley Wilde in a witness statement. So far, no more details on this chap.
I think Hollaf Row is Holles Row and that this is possibly the 1911 census entry for Pte T(homas) Parker and family.
No other information forthcoming at the moment.
There is a story that a soldier in Enniscorthy joined the rising there. The only reference I can find so far is the name Miley Wilde in a witness statement. So far, no more details on this chap.
Mount St Bridge 1916
The following photo is prompted by a discussion on Flickr re a similar photo held by the National Library of Ireland.
The photo comes from the excellent book "The Easter Rebellion" by Max Caulfield :
A Royal Munster Fusilier
Prompted by a post on Facebook by the Munster Fusiliers group linking to a postcard from a member of the regiment on ebay circa 1916, who appears to be writing from the guardroom, I thought I'd take a quick look to see if he could be identified.
It looks like his number is 1673 rather than 1678 and he is Private Samuel Hughes, a dock worker from Newport, Monmouthshire in Wales. On the 1911 census he is aged 23 with a wife and 1 child living on Marion St.
Pte Hughes appears to have been killed in action in the closing days of WW1, 4th November 1918.
His death notices can be found online as can a photograph.
Pte Hughes can be found in Ireland's Memorial Records and Soldiers Died in the Great War.
No service record found online. His medal index card shows he was entitled to the 1915 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medal.
It looks like his number is 1673 rather than 1678 and he is Private Samuel Hughes, a dock worker from Newport, Monmouthshire in Wales. On the 1911 census he is aged 23 with a wife and 1 child living on Marion St.
Pte Hughes appears to have been killed in action in the closing days of WW1, 4th November 1918.
His death notices can be found online as can a photograph.
Pte Hughes can be found in Ireland's Memorial Records and Soldiers Died in the Great War.
No service record found online. His medal index card shows he was entitled to the 1915 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
2 German WW1 PoWs Died in Ireland
In graves 32 and 33 at the German Cemetery in Glencree, Co Wicklow are the graves of two German soldiers who died while prisoners of war at Richmond Barracks, Templemore, Co Tipperary.
Private M Anton Gierzewski died on the 20th November 1914. His cause of death was given as diabetes. (Grave 33 @ Glencree)
Private Ludwig Spellerberg of the 212th Infantry Regiment died on the 21st January 1915. His cause of death was given as food poisoning. (Grave 32 @ Glencree). His headstone can still be seen at the cemetery in Templemore.
Richmond Barracks housed about 2300 German and Austrian prisoners from the start of WW1 through to March 1915. While the decision to move them to England was given as sanitary arrangements it is believed that there were attempts being made by Irish Volunteers to contact the prisoners and to include them in plans for the Easter Rising.
Private M Anton Gierzewski died on the 20th November 1914. His cause of death was given as diabetes. (Grave 33 @ Glencree)
Private Ludwig Spellerberg of the 212th Infantry Regiment died on the 21st January 1915. His cause of death was given as food poisoning. (Grave 32 @ Glencree). His headstone can still be seen at the cemetery in Templemore.
Richmond Barracks housed about 2300 German and Austrian prisoners from the start of WW1 through to March 1915. While the decision to move them to England was given as sanitary arrangements it is believed that there were attempts being made by Irish Volunteers to contact the prisoners and to include them in plans for the Easter Rising.
Monday, 21 January 2013
Irish Soldiers WW1
The following is a write up of some info I put on the boards.ie WW1 forum re looking for information about Irish soldiers in the British Army in WW1. This is an evolving entry.
Last update : 27th April 2024
Video Presentation
Sources of Advice
Great War Forum
Boards.ie WW1 sub forum
Dublin Western Front Association
Long, Long Trail
Last update : 27th April 2024
Video Presentation
A very good presentation re Irish soldiers by Chris Baker (@191418research on Twitter) can be found here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtLaR8_6V8Q
Thanks to Shane Wilson (@Shanew147 on Twitter) for the heads up re this.
Soldiers who died or were killed
A soldier who died during the period 1914-1921 should have an entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) database, an entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW), Ireland's Memorial Records (IMR) if an Irish soldier (or in an Irish Regiment or of Irish parents), or De Ruvigny's database/book (mainly early in the war).
Some soldiers have been omitted from the CWGC list and there is a project to bring these soldiers In From the Cold.
A soldier should also have a Medal Index Card (MIC) if he served in a theatre of war. A Medal Index Card outlines the medals a soldier was awarded. The UK National Archives website has a good explaination of the Medal Index Cards and the WW1 Campaign Medals and awards.
A soldier should have a service record but most of these were destroyed in the bombing of London in World War 2. You may hear of some of the surviving records referred to as "the burnt records" - many pages show fire and water damage. A service record will not generally record the battles a soldier may have taken part in- if you find a service record you may need to cross reference with a unit war diary (if available).
A good online resource is the wills of approximately 9000 Irish soldiers. These are free to view but the chances of finding a soldier is slim given the limited number available.. The UK Government has a similar site for WW1 soldiers wills but charges for access should you find a match for the soldier you are seeking.
Some Irish soldiers may have signed the Ulster Covenant and you may find a copy of their signature on the Ulster Covenant database. Slim if your soldier was Roman Catholic but a few RCs did sign the Covenant.
You may find an entry on Irish War Memorials website or www.Findagrave.com.
A soldier who didn't serve in a theatre of war but was killed during the Easter Rising, for example, or died from disease or as a result of an accident in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland won't have a medal index card (MIC) but should have an entry on CWGC.
In general, there is often more data available about a soldier who died than there is about a soldier who survived.
Members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps
Members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps (IAVTC) who were killed during the Easter Rising do appear in Ireland Memorial Records (IMR) but because they were not members of the armed forces, they do not appear in SDGW nor do they have an entry on the CWGC database or a CWGC grave. They do not have a medal index card. The IAVTC men killed were not British Army reservists nor were they members of the Ulster Volunteer Force affiliated Loyal Dublin Volunteers.
Soldiers wounded and discharged
A soldier wounded and discharged should have a medal index card (MIC), may have a service record, possibly a Silver War Badge (SWB) entry and possibly a pension record.
The US based site fold3.com is a subscription service that has digitized some of the British Army post WW1 pension cards. It often has free access offers that are useful for giving the service a try before deciding to buy. From my own family tree, this was very useful for finding the American Civil War pension of my Gt Gt Grandfather Hugh Niland).
Soldiers who served in a War Theatre and Survived
A soldier who served in a theatre of war and survived should have a Medal Index Card (MIC) and may have a service record.
Soldiers who didn't serve in a War Theatre and Survived
A soldier who didn't serve overseas and survived may have a service record but won't have a Medal Index Card (MIC).
Irish Guards
The service records of soldiers who served in the Irish Guards are still held by the regiment and can be obtained by writing to them at :
Records Officer
RHQ Irish Guards
Wellington Barracks
Birdcage Walk
London
SW1E 6HQ
Other Guards regiments (Scots. Welsh, Grenadier, Coldstream) also have their records stored and available at the above address - just change the regiment name after RHQ.
Other Family Members in the Armed Forces
In some instances, if the soldier had a brother who served, you may find the brother has a service or pension record that mentions the soldier you're looking for.
War Diaries
Each battalion was required to keep a war diary but ordinary soldiers rarely get a mention by name. As mentioned above,they could be read in conjunction with a soldiers service record to find out where he might have served/fought.
London Gazette
Soldiers awarded medals for bravery (Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal etc) can be found in the London Gazette database. This can be a challenge to use at times.
Other Sources
Other sources can be a bit hit and miss. Local newspapers carry some info about enlistment, being sent to the front, being wounded, on home leave or killed/missing/taken prisoner.
Rolls of Honour
Some employers, schools and colleges have produced lists of people who served as well as those who died e.g Guinness, Trinity College, Bank of Ireland. In some cases, researchers such as Tom Burnell have produced books (Wexford War Dead, Waterford War Dead, Carlow War Dead etc) which have gathered together CWGC, SDGW, IMR and newspaper data. The Dublin City archive at Pearse Street has a roll of honour for those from Dublin who died. There is a also an officers Roll of Honour at Pearse Street and records from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association.
Moving between battalions and regiments
It's not uncommon to find soldiers moving between battalions within a regiment or from one regiment to another. In some instances this would involve moving from a training battalion to a front line battalion within the same regiment or to another regiment if it had suffered large casualties.
Later in the war, some battalions who suffered casualties were disbanded and their remaining men were sent to other battalions/regiments. In some instances men were compulsorily transferred to meet the needs of the army e.g. cavalrymen weren't needed and could be transferred en masse or it might be that a man had a civilian skill that might be better used elsewhere e.g. a driver to the Army Service Corps, a miner to a Tunnelling Company etc. Without the service record for your man it would be hard to say why he has moved between regiments.
A soldier's number was issued by his regiment (or battalion). If he moved to another regiment he would be issued a new number.
Disbanded Irish Regiments 1922
Some soldiers who served in WW1 stayed on after the war in the Irish regiments that were to find themselves disbanded in 1922. The National Army Museum has a searchable database of the names and numbers of soldiers serving at the point of the disbandment of these regiments e.g. members of the Connaught Rangers involved in the Mutiny in India
James Daly
John Miranda
Joseph Woods
https://www.nam.ac.uk/soldiers-records/persons
Bureau of Military History Witness Statements
A number of soldiers completed Witness Statements (WS) for the Irish Bureau of Military History (BMH) or are mentioned by members of the old IRA. Always worth a search but it would be a long shot e.g.
Thanks to Shane Wilson (@Shanew147 on Twitter) for the heads up re this.
Soldiers who died or were killed
A soldier who died during the period 1914-1921 should have an entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) database, an entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW), Ireland's Memorial Records (IMR) if an Irish soldier (or in an Irish Regiment or of Irish parents), or De Ruvigny's database/book (mainly early in the war).
Some soldiers have been omitted from the CWGC list and there is a project to bring these soldiers In From the Cold.
A soldier should also have a Medal Index Card (MIC) if he served in a theatre of war. A Medal Index Card outlines the medals a soldier was awarded. The UK National Archives website has a good explaination of the Medal Index Cards and the WW1 Campaign Medals and awards.
A soldier should have a service record but most of these were destroyed in the bombing of London in World War 2. You may hear of some of the surviving records referred to as "the burnt records" - many pages show fire and water damage. A service record will not generally record the battles a soldier may have taken part in- if you find a service record you may need to cross reference with a unit war diary (if available).
A good online resource is the wills of approximately 9000 Irish soldiers. These are free to view but the chances of finding a soldier is slim given the limited number available.. The UK Government has a similar site for WW1 soldiers wills but charges for access should you find a match for the soldier you are seeking.
Some Irish soldiers may have signed the Ulster Covenant and you may find a copy of their signature on the Ulster Covenant database. Slim if your soldier was Roman Catholic but a few RCs did sign the Covenant.
You may find an entry on Irish War Memorials website or www.Findagrave.com.
A soldier who didn't serve in a theatre of war but was killed during the Easter Rising, for example, or died from disease or as a result of an accident in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland won't have a medal index card (MIC) but should have an entry on CWGC.
In general, there is often more data available about a soldier who died than there is about a soldier who survived.
Members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps
Members of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps (IAVTC) who were killed during the Easter Rising do appear in Ireland Memorial Records (IMR) but because they were not members of the armed forces, they do not appear in SDGW nor do they have an entry on the CWGC database or a CWGC grave. They do not have a medal index card. The IAVTC men killed were not British Army reservists nor were they members of the Ulster Volunteer Force affiliated Loyal Dublin Volunteers.
Soldiers wounded and discharged
A soldier wounded and discharged should have a medal index card (MIC), may have a service record, possibly a Silver War Badge (SWB) entry and possibly a pension record.
The US based site fold3.com is a subscription service that has digitized some of the British Army post WW1 pension cards. It often has free access offers that are useful for giving the service a try before deciding to buy. From my own family tree, this was very useful for finding the American Civil War pension of my Gt Gt Grandfather Hugh Niland).
Soldiers who served in a War Theatre and Survived
A soldier who served in a theatre of war and survived should have a Medal Index Card (MIC) and may have a service record.
Soldiers who didn't serve in a War Theatre and Survived
A soldier who didn't serve overseas and survived may have a service record but won't have a Medal Index Card (MIC).
Irish Guards
The service records of soldiers who served in the Irish Guards are still held by the regiment and can be obtained by writing to them at :
Records Officer
RHQ Irish Guards
Wellington Barracks
Birdcage Walk
London
SW1E 6HQ
Other Guards regiments (Scots. Welsh, Grenadier, Coldstream) also have their records stored and available at the above address - just change the regiment name after RHQ.
Other Family Members in the Armed Forces
In some instances, if the soldier had a brother who served, you may find the brother has a service or pension record that mentions the soldier you're looking for.
War Diaries
Each battalion was required to keep a war diary but ordinary soldiers rarely get a mention by name. As mentioned above,they could be read in conjunction with a soldiers service record to find out where he might have served/fought.
London Gazette
Soldiers awarded medals for bravery (Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal etc) can be found in the London Gazette database. This can be a challenge to use at times.
Other Sources
Other sources can be a bit hit and miss. Local newspapers carry some info about enlistment, being sent to the front, being wounded, on home leave or killed/missing/taken prisoner.
Rolls of Honour
Some employers, schools and colleges have produced lists of people who served as well as those who died e.g Guinness, Trinity College, Bank of Ireland. In some cases, researchers such as Tom Burnell have produced books (Wexford War Dead, Waterford War Dead, Carlow War Dead etc) which have gathered together CWGC, SDGW, IMR and newspaper data. The Dublin City archive at Pearse Street has a roll of honour for those from Dublin who died. There is a also an officers Roll of Honour at Pearse Street and records from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association.
Moving between battalions and regiments
It's not uncommon to find soldiers moving between battalions within a regiment or from one regiment to another. In some instances this would involve moving from a training battalion to a front line battalion within the same regiment or to another regiment if it had suffered large casualties.
Later in the war, some battalions who suffered casualties were disbanded and their remaining men were sent to other battalions/regiments. In some instances men were compulsorily transferred to meet the needs of the army e.g. cavalrymen weren't needed and could be transferred en masse or it might be that a man had a civilian skill that might be better used elsewhere e.g. a driver to the Army Service Corps, a miner to a Tunnelling Company etc. Without the service record for your man it would be hard to say why he has moved between regiments.
A soldier's number was issued by his regiment (or battalion). If he moved to another regiment he would be issued a new number.
Disbanded Irish Regiments 1922
Some soldiers who served in WW1 stayed on after the war in the Irish regiments that were to find themselves disbanded in 1922. The National Army Museum has a searchable database of the names and numbers of soldiers serving at the point of the disbandment of these regiments e.g. members of the Connaught Rangers involved in the Mutiny in India
James Daly
John Miranda
Joseph Woods
https://www.nam.ac.uk/soldiers-records/persons
Bureau of Military History Witness Statements
A number of soldiers completed Witness Statements (WS) for the Irish Bureau of Military History (BMH) or are mentioned by members of the old IRA. Always worth a search but it would be a long shot e.g.
Robert Barton, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Sources of Advice
Great War Forum
Boards.ie WW1 sub forum
Dublin Western Front Association
Long, Long Trail
FourteenEighteen
My Soldiers and Sailors
Sapper John Henry Elvin Shepley from Wheelock, Royal Engineers (died 1943 of wounds received November 1918)
Private James Shepley from Wheelock, Grenadier Guards (DoW 1915)
Private Joseph Clarke from Macclesfield, 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (Bantams) (KIA October 1918)
Private James Wildblood, 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Died 1917)
Lance Corporal Roy Cooke from Sandbach, Grenadier Guards (KIA Italy 1944).
Chief Gunner John David Sumner, HMTB 96, died 1st November 1915. From Portaferry, Co Down.
Sapper Joseph Niland from Dublin, 179th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers (KIA March 1917).
Private George Sweeney from Dublin, Royal Munster Fusiliers (KIA 1917).
Michael (Mickey) Sweeney from Dublin, 4th ASU Dublin Brigade, fought in the Easter Rising and Irish War of Independence; killed April 1922.
William Patrick O'Brien, Queenstown Company, Irish Volunteers, died November 1916 after release from Frongoch (Sigerson Cup winner with UCC 1911)
KIA = Killed in Action
DoW = Died of Wounds
I have a basic document created re Joseph Niland and his service online at :
Sapper Joseph Niland
Also fought/served :
Fred Shepley, Wheelock, Royal Flying Corps
Harold Shepley, Wheelock, Cheshire Regiment
Grace Shepley, Sandbach, Voluntary Aid Detachment, Egypt
John Newton, Wheelock, Cheshire Regiment
James Alexander McCullen, Portaferry, Merchant Marine
Charles Skilbeck Smith, Salop, RNAS
Richard Skilbeck Smith MC, Salop, Middlesex Regiment and Indian Army
Abram Jones, St Asaph, Welsh Guards
Thomas Williams, St Asaph, Royal Engineers
Irish War of Independence
John Joe O'Brien, Irish Volunteers, Galbally Company, IRB, IRA, Free State Army
Ned O'Brien, Irish Volunteers, Galbally Company, IRB, IRA
WW2
Josef Ciupak, Free Polish Army
Cyril Humphrey, Crewe, Royal Air Force
Ida Humphrey/Shepley, ENSA
My Soldiers and Sailors
Sapper John Henry Elvin Shepley from Wheelock, Royal Engineers (died 1943 of wounds received November 1918)
Private James Shepley from Wheelock, Grenadier Guards (DoW 1915)
Private Joseph Clarke from Macclesfield, 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (Bantams) (KIA October 1918)
Private James Wildblood, 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Died 1917)
Lance Corporal Roy Cooke from Sandbach, Grenadier Guards (KIA Italy 1944).
Chief Gunner John David Sumner, HMTB 96, died 1st November 1915. From Portaferry, Co Down.
Sapper Joseph Niland from Dublin, 179th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers (KIA March 1917).
Private George Sweeney from Dublin, Royal Munster Fusiliers (KIA 1917).
Michael (Mickey) Sweeney from Dublin, 4th ASU Dublin Brigade, fought in the Easter Rising and Irish War of Independence; killed April 1922.
William Patrick O'Brien, Queenstown Company, Irish Volunteers, died November 1916 after release from Frongoch (Sigerson Cup winner with UCC 1911)
KIA = Killed in Action
DoW = Died of Wounds
I have a basic document created re Joseph Niland and his service online at :
Sapper Joseph Niland
Also fought/served :
Fred Shepley, Wheelock, Royal Flying Corps
Harold Shepley, Wheelock, Cheshire Regiment
Grace Shepley, Sandbach, Voluntary Aid Detachment, Egypt
John Newton, Wheelock, Cheshire Regiment
James Alexander McCullen, Portaferry, Merchant Marine
Charles Skilbeck Smith, Salop, RNAS
Richard Skilbeck Smith MC, Salop, Middlesex Regiment and Indian Army
Abram Jones, St Asaph, Welsh Guards
Thomas Williams, St Asaph, Royal Engineers
Irish War of Independence
John Joe O'Brien, Irish Volunteers, Galbally Company, IRB, IRA, Free State Army
Ned O'Brien, Irish Volunteers, Galbally Company, IRB, IRA
WW2
Josef Ciupak, Free Polish Army
Cyril Humphrey, Crewe, Royal Air Force
Ida Humphrey/Shepley, ENSA
Len Clarke, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Others
John Doyle, Enniscorthy. Free State Army, 1930s
Daniel Doyle, Dublin, Royal Air Force 1950-1979
Others
John Doyle, Enniscorthy. Free State Army, 1930s
Daniel Doyle, Dublin, Royal Air Force 1950-1979
Jean Doyle, Macclesfield, WRAF 1958-1962
Ben Oliver, Macclesfield, Royal Marines
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Ben Oliver, Macclesfield, Royal Marines
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Sunday, 20 January 2013
John Byrne - Dublin 1913
4th September 1913, a labourer named John Byrne died at his home at 4, Lower Gloucester Place from injuries received during rioting on Saturday night, 30th August 1913. He had been released from Jervis Street Hospital after receiving treatment for his wounds.
7th September 1913, the jury at the inquest into the death of John Byrne ruled that the cause of death was a fracture of the skull although they could not determine how the injury was caused.
The report into the Dublin Disturbances can be viewed online.
Lower Gloucester Place was the home of Sean Heuston who was in charge of the Volunteers at the Mendicity during the Easter Rising.
James Nolan - Dublin 1913
30th August 1913, James Nolan, caught in a street riot, died from injuries received from the police.
1st September 1913, Dublin Corporation demanded a public inquiry into police conduct and allegations of police brutality. The inquest into the death of James Nolan began.
3rd September 1913, James Nolan was buried.
5th September 1913, the jury at the inquest into the death of James Nolan decided that he died from fracture of the skull caused by a blow from a police baton, but that the evidence was not sufficient to say who dealt it.
A 33 year old James Nolan who died in 1913 is recorded as buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. Currently, not sure if this is the burial of James Nolan who was killed on the 30th August 1913.
Alice Brady - Dublin 1913/1914
A while back I was under the impression that a 15year girl called Alice Brady had been killed during the Bachelors Walk incident.
I'm grateful to Brendan Lee who runs the irishmedals.org website for putting me on the right track re her death as a result of the Dublin Lockout.
I've not got any books on the Dublin Lockout so have been using Google to glean what information I can re the death of Alice Brady.
Saturday, January 3, 1914
FATAL RESULT OF A REVOLVER SHOT.
In the Southern Police Court, before Mr. Drury yesterday, Patrick Traynor, described as a free labourer, living in West Essex street, was charged with the wilful murder of Alice Brady, 16 years, by shooting her in the left hand with a revolver at Mark Street on the afternoon of the 18th December. It appeared that the prisoner was delivering coal on the occasion when a riotous scene occurred and the accused was alleged to have discharged a revolver, a bullet from which struck the girl.
Mr. Robertson, solicitor, prosecuted; and Mr. Edward Burne [Messrs. Gerald Byrne and Co.) appeared for the defence.
Inspector Barrett deposed that the girl Alice Brady died on Thursday in Sir Patrick Dun's hospital. Witness made the charge of murder against the prisoner, and the latter said--"I did not fire the shot at the girl at all; I did not see the girl; it was the cause of the belt I got in the arm that the shot went off."
Dr. Charles O'Reilly, house surgeon at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital, stated that the girl was admitted to hospital on the 18th December. She had a wound on the left hand which was treated, and was allowed to go home, but attended afterwards as an extern patient. On the 19th the bullet was extracted by Dr. Benson. On the 28th she was admitted as an indoor patient, and on Thursday she died from lock-jaw caused by the wound.
Replying to Mr. Burne, witness admitted that lock-jaw might come from a mere scratch.
The prisoner was remanded till two o'clock on Monday. Traynor was then put forward, together with his brother, Michael Traynor, in connection with the charge of larceny of a bag of coal.
Mr. Robertson said, in view of the more serious charge being made against Patrick Traynor, and the fact that Michael Traynor would be an important witness, he would apply to have both men discharged so far as the larceny charge was concerned. This course was adopted.
Mr. Burne then addressing his worship, said that Messrs. Robinson, who were the employers of this man, did not sanction the carrying of firearms at all, but in defending the accused he (Mr. Byrne) hoped to be able to justify it to a certain extent.
CORONER'S INQUEST. VERDICT OF THE JURY.
Yesterday afternoon the City Coroner (Dr. L. A. Byrne) held an inquest touching the death of Alice Brady, aged 16, a factory worker, who resided with her mother in Luke street, with the causing of whose death Patrick Traynor was yesterday charged in the Police Court. The girl was injured on December 18th in the left hand by a bullet fired under circumstances detailed below, and she died on Thursday in Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital from the effects of lockjaw.
Mr. Edward Byrne (Messrs. Gerald Byrne and Co.) appeared for Messrs. W. N. Robinson and Co., the employers of Traynor.
Mr. Smyth (Messrs. W. Smyth and Son) appeared for the next -of-kin of the deceased.
Police Constable John Allen, who was on duty with an array of eight coal carts which were delivering coal at St. Mark's Church, said that when the horses were stopped the first horse was struck by one of the crowd of 100.
That horse ran away, and witness caught it and brought it back. A second horse was also sent on the run, and witness caught that one also. There was at first a hostile crowd of about 100 men, which afterwards increased to 300. He heard two shots fired, and he afterwards found that Alice Brady had been hit by a bullet on the left hand. In reply to Mr. Byrne, the witness said the crowd was very hostile, and, having two horses in charge, his position was very difficult. The carters, the horses, and he were shut in b a hostile crowd at both ends. The demeanour of the crowd was such that he considered the lives of the carters and his own in danger. Some of the coal had been scattered about the roadway. That district of the city had been so disturbed for several months past that special police precautions were applied.
To Inspector Barrett the witness said that the attitude of the crowd was so threatening that the police protecting another convoy of coal who saw the thing in passing stopped and came to his assistance.
Kate Nolan, a young girl, said she took the injured girl into her house, 6 Mark street, and dressed the wound on her hand. When she went to her door to see what was going on there were only a few women and children in the street. There were no men there.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, she said the district had been very peaceful during the past four months. She did not see Constable Allen there at all.
Dr. O'Reilly gave evidence as to the cause of death. He thought it probable that it ws a ricochet shot that hit the girl. He was of opinion that the wound might have been infected with the germ of tetanus before she reached the hospital. The bullet was flattened, showing that it had come in contact with the ground or something hard.
Alexander Kennedy, Gordon street, Ringsend, having been sworn, said he had to protest against the suppression of his evidence in the police court that day fortnight.
The Coroner said he had nothing to do with the police court.
The witness, in his evidence, stated that about half-past two o'clock on the 18th December he saw Traynor in the middle of the street; and firing two shots--one in the direction of where the women were standing, and the other in the direction of Townsend street. He asked a man who appeared to be in charge if he knew Traynor had a revolver, and the man replied that Traynor was justified in using it. Witness said to Traynor, "You fool, why did you fire?" and Traynor replied, "I did it in accordance with instructions."
Mr. Smyth--You heard the constable swear that there was a crowd of 100 persons there, and that when the shots were fired that crowd increased to 300? Yes; and it is not true. It is a deliberate concoction. It is ridiculous to suggest that the hostility of the crowd was such as to make it necessary for the coalman or the policeman to draw a revolver to defend themselves.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, the witness said he was a fire brigade man, employed by the Corporation at the
Pigeonhouse. There was no stone-throwing; but he saw one woman throw a piece of coal "in a roundabout way." He saw some coal on the road, but he did not know how it came there.
A man named Ennis, residing in Queen's square, gave similar evidence.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, he said that the women and children got excited when the shots were fired, and they then showed hostility. Police Constable Sherry, who arrested Traynor, said that the man said that he was attacked, and that he fired two shots. There was a large crowd of men, women, and children at both ends of Mark street. He saw missiles thrown at the coalmen.
In reply to Mr. Byrne, the witness said that when Traynor heard that the girl had been shot he expressed sorrow and surprise.
Inspector Barrett, D.M.P., said that the neighbourhood of Mark street was one of the storm centres during the strike. On this day in December some merchandise was scattered in Townsend street, and it was set on fire.
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Byrne said that his clients, the Messrs. Robinson, did not know that any of their employs were armed.
The jury found that Alice Brady died from lockjaw, following a wound caused by a shot fired by Traynor. They expressed the opinion that the shot was fired to frighten a hostile crowd, with no intent to do bodily harm. They also expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.
Saturday, January 5, 1914
FUNERAL OF MISS ALICE BRADY.
There was a large attendance of men and women on strike and locked out yesterday at the funeral of Miss Alice Brady, the young girl who died on 1st inst. in Jervis street Hospital, as the result of a bullet wound sustained in the hand at Mark street on 18th December last on the occasion of a street riot. The procession formed outside 21a Luke Street, where Miss Brady had lived, and proceeded via Great Brunswick Street, City quay, and Beresford Place to Glasnevin Cemetery. The attendance included some 500 members of the Irishwomen Workers' Union, and the procession was headed by two bands. Immediately after the hearse, the parents of the deceased girl walked, and others prominent in the cortege were Mr. James Larkin, Mr. James Connolly, Mr. Partridge, T.C.; Miss Delia Larkin, and the Countess Markievicz.
After the interment, Mr. James Larkin delivered a short address. He said it had pleased the all-wise Providence that their sister should be sacrificed on the altar of sweating misery and degradation. Though, she was only a young girl she had shown great strength of character, and if she had been spared, she would, he believed, have been a great woman. He expressed respectful sympathy with the parents of the deceased girl and the women workers on the loss they had sustained. The strike was now in progress over 17 weeks, and nothing could surpass the loyalty of the women workers. They would go from that grave more determined than ever to carry out their work on the lines already laid down until Ireland was free from slavery and serfdom.
Mr. James Connolly said that every "scab" and every employer of "scab" labour in Dublin was morally responsible for the death of the young girl they had just buried.
The Dublin Lockout finished on 18th January 1914. It had led to the formation of a fledgling Irish Citizen Army.
I'm grateful to Brendan Lee who runs the irishmedals.org website for putting me on the right track re her death as a result of the Dublin Lockout.
I've not got any books on the Dublin Lockout so have been using Google to glean what information I can re the death of Alice Brady.
Saturday, January 3, 1914
FATAL RESULT OF A REVOLVER SHOT.
In the Southern Police Court, before Mr. Drury yesterday, Patrick Traynor, described as a free labourer, living in West Essex street, was charged with the wilful murder of Alice Brady, 16 years, by shooting her in the left hand with a revolver at Mark Street on the afternoon of the 18th December. It appeared that the prisoner was delivering coal on the occasion when a riotous scene occurred and the accused was alleged to have discharged a revolver, a bullet from which struck the girl.
Mr. Robertson, solicitor, prosecuted; and Mr. Edward Burne [Messrs. Gerald Byrne and Co.) appeared for the defence.
Inspector Barrett deposed that the girl Alice Brady died on Thursday in Sir Patrick Dun's hospital. Witness made the charge of murder against the prisoner, and the latter said--"I did not fire the shot at the girl at all; I did not see the girl; it was the cause of the belt I got in the arm that the shot went off."
Dr. Charles O'Reilly, house surgeon at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital, stated that the girl was admitted to hospital on the 18th December. She had a wound on the left hand which was treated, and was allowed to go home, but attended afterwards as an extern patient. On the 19th the bullet was extracted by Dr. Benson. On the 28th she was admitted as an indoor patient, and on Thursday she died from lock-jaw caused by the wound.
Replying to Mr. Burne, witness admitted that lock-jaw might come from a mere scratch.
The prisoner was remanded till two o'clock on Monday. Traynor was then put forward, together with his brother, Michael Traynor, in connection with the charge of larceny of a bag of coal.
Mr. Robertson said, in view of the more serious charge being made against Patrick Traynor, and the fact that Michael Traynor would be an important witness, he would apply to have both men discharged so far as the larceny charge was concerned. This course was adopted.
Mr. Burne then addressing his worship, said that Messrs. Robinson, who were the employers of this man, did not sanction the carrying of firearms at all, but in defending the accused he (Mr. Byrne) hoped to be able to justify it to a certain extent.
CORONER'S INQUEST. VERDICT OF THE JURY.
Yesterday afternoon the City Coroner (Dr. L. A. Byrne) held an inquest touching the death of Alice Brady, aged 16, a factory worker, who resided with her mother in Luke street, with the causing of whose death Patrick Traynor was yesterday charged in the Police Court. The girl was injured on December 18th in the left hand by a bullet fired under circumstances detailed below, and she died on Thursday in Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital from the effects of lockjaw.
Mr. Edward Byrne (Messrs. Gerald Byrne and Co.) appeared for Messrs. W. N. Robinson and Co., the employers of Traynor.
Mr. Smyth (Messrs. W. Smyth and Son) appeared for the next -of-kin of the deceased.
Police Constable John Allen, who was on duty with an array of eight coal carts which were delivering coal at St. Mark's Church, said that when the horses were stopped the first horse was struck by one of the crowd of 100.
That horse ran away, and witness caught it and brought it back. A second horse was also sent on the run, and witness caught that one also. There was at first a hostile crowd of about 100 men, which afterwards increased to 300. He heard two shots fired, and he afterwards found that Alice Brady had been hit by a bullet on the left hand. In reply to Mr. Byrne, the witness said the crowd was very hostile, and, having two horses in charge, his position was very difficult. The carters, the horses, and he were shut in b a hostile crowd at both ends. The demeanour of the crowd was such that he considered the lives of the carters and his own in danger. Some of the coal had been scattered about the roadway. That district of the city had been so disturbed for several months past that special police precautions were applied.
To Inspector Barrett the witness said that the attitude of the crowd was so threatening that the police protecting another convoy of coal who saw the thing in passing stopped and came to his assistance.
Kate Nolan, a young girl, said she took the injured girl into her house, 6 Mark street, and dressed the wound on her hand. When she went to her door to see what was going on there were only a few women and children in the street. There were no men there.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, she said the district had been very peaceful during the past four months. She did not see Constable Allen there at all.
Dr. O'Reilly gave evidence as to the cause of death. He thought it probable that it ws a ricochet shot that hit the girl. He was of opinion that the wound might have been infected with the germ of tetanus before she reached the hospital. The bullet was flattened, showing that it had come in contact with the ground or something hard.
Alexander Kennedy, Gordon street, Ringsend, having been sworn, said he had to protest against the suppression of his evidence in the police court that day fortnight.
The Coroner said he had nothing to do with the police court.
The witness, in his evidence, stated that about half-past two o'clock on the 18th December he saw Traynor in the middle of the street; and firing two shots--one in the direction of where the women were standing, and the other in the direction of Townsend street. He asked a man who appeared to be in charge if he knew Traynor had a revolver, and the man replied that Traynor was justified in using it. Witness said to Traynor, "You fool, why did you fire?" and Traynor replied, "I did it in accordance with instructions."
Mr. Smyth--You heard the constable swear that there was a crowd of 100 persons there, and that when the shots were fired that crowd increased to 300? Yes; and it is not true. It is a deliberate concoction. It is ridiculous to suggest that the hostility of the crowd was such as to make it necessary for the coalman or the policeman to draw a revolver to defend themselves.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, the witness said he was a fire brigade man, employed by the Corporation at the
Pigeonhouse. There was no stone-throwing; but he saw one woman throw a piece of coal "in a roundabout way." He saw some coal on the road, but he did not know how it came there.
A man named Ennis, residing in Queen's square, gave similar evidence.
In answer to Mr. Byrne, he said that the women and children got excited when the shots were fired, and they then showed hostility. Police Constable Sherry, who arrested Traynor, said that the man said that he was attacked, and that he fired two shots. There was a large crowd of men, women, and children at both ends of Mark street. He saw missiles thrown at the coalmen.
In reply to Mr. Byrne, the witness said that when Traynor heard that the girl had been shot he expressed sorrow and surprise.
Inspector Barrett, D.M.P., said that the neighbourhood of Mark street was one of the storm centres during the strike. On this day in December some merchandise was scattered in Townsend street, and it was set on fire.
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Byrne said that his clients, the Messrs. Robinson, did not know that any of their employs were armed.
The jury found that Alice Brady died from lockjaw, following a wound caused by a shot fired by Traynor. They expressed the opinion that the shot was fired to frighten a hostile crowd, with no intent to do bodily harm. They also expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.
Saturday, January 5, 1914
FUNERAL OF MISS ALICE BRADY.
There was a large attendance of men and women on strike and locked out yesterday at the funeral of Miss Alice Brady, the young girl who died on 1st inst. in Jervis street Hospital, as the result of a bullet wound sustained in the hand at Mark street on 18th December last on the occasion of a street riot. The procession formed outside 21a Luke Street, where Miss Brady had lived, and proceeded via Great Brunswick Street, City quay, and Beresford Place to Glasnevin Cemetery. The attendance included some 500 members of the Irishwomen Workers' Union, and the procession was headed by two bands. Immediately after the hearse, the parents of the deceased girl walked, and others prominent in the cortege were Mr. James Larkin, Mr. James Connolly, Mr. Partridge, T.C.; Miss Delia Larkin, and the Countess Markievicz.
After the interment, Mr. James Larkin delivered a short address. He said it had pleased the all-wise Providence that their sister should be sacrificed on the altar of sweating misery and degradation. Though, she was only a young girl she had shown great strength of character, and if she had been spared, she would, he believed, have been a great woman. He expressed respectful sympathy with the parents of the deceased girl and the women workers on the loss they had sustained. The strike was now in progress over 17 weeks, and nothing could surpass the loyalty of the women workers. They would go from that grave more determined than ever to carry out their work on the lines already laid down until Ireland was free from slavery and serfdom.
Mr. James Connolly said that every "scab" and every employer of "scab" labour in Dublin was morally responsible for the death of the young girl they had just buried.
The Dublin Lockout finished on 18th January 1914. It had led to the formation of a fledgling Irish Citizen Army.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Bachelors Walk - Mary Duffy
Examination of Frank M. Byrne, House Surgeon of Jervis Street Hospital, City of Dublin, taken before me, Louis A. Byrne, Coroner for the County of the City of Dublin, this 28th day of July, 1914, who, being duly sworn upon Oath, said deceased, Mary Duffy, was brought to Jervis Street Hospital on Sunday evening, Julv 26th.
On examining her I found life extinct. By order of the City Coroner I made a post-mortem examination. Externally I found a small punctured wound in the abdomen on the left side, slightly to inner side of the anterior superior spine; I also found a large laoitated(?) wound about 2 inches square in left sacral region behind. On external examination I found the external iliac artery had been severed and also that there was a fracture of the sacrum. All other organs were healthy. In my opinion death was due to shock following haemorrhage. The wounds I have described could have been caused by a bullet; I could not form any opinion as to the distance of deceased from rifles.
Frank M. Byrne,
House Surgeon,
Jervis Street Hospital.
Bachelors Walk - Patrick Quinn
Examination of Frank M. Byrne, House Surgeon of Jervis Street Hospital, City of Dublin, taken before me, Louis A. Byrne, Coroner for the County of theCity of Dublin, this 28th day of July, 1914, who, being duly sworn upon Oath, said :—
Deceased, Patrick Quinn, 1 Gardiner's Lane, was brought to Jervis Street Hospital about 7 o'clock on Sunday evening, the 26th inst. On examining him I found life extinct. By order of the City Coroner, I made a post-mortem examination. Externally I found a small inverted punctured wound at the back of and slightly above the middle of the right thigh, which wound communicated with another punctured wound of larger size in front of thigh. Internally I found the femoral artery had been severed. The other organs were healthy. The wounds could have been caused by a bullet. In my opinion only one bullet entered the leg.
Frank M. Byrne,
House Surgeon,
Jervis Street Hospital.
Victory Parade Dublin 1919
Following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles bringing WW1 to an end officially, a number of Victory or Peace Parades were organised by the allies in a number of towns and cities e.g. London, Paris, Toronto, New York to name a few.
The parade in Dublin took place on the 19th July 1919. According to "Ireland, the Great War and the Geography of Remembrance" by Nuala Johnson, the parade gathered in the yard at Dublin Castle between 9:30am and 10:30am. The order of march was sorted with a view to departing at 11:30am. Johnson suggests that there were 20,000 in the parade including 5000 demobbed soldiers and sailors.
Order of march :
Mounted Troops, DMP
Irish Guards Pipe Band
Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers
General Pagan, GOC, and Staff
P Battery and R Battery, Royal Horse Artillery - Lt Col Foreman
888nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Major Fletcher RFA
Detachment Royal Engineers, Capt Bleiben
3rd Battn, King's Own Lancashire Regiment, Lt Col B Evann
3rd Battn, Yorkshire Regt, Lt Col C R White DSO
5th Battn, Worcester Regt, Lt Col B R Roche OBE
3rd Battn, South Lancs Regt, Lt Col H G Roberts
3rd Battn, Royal Berks Regt, Lt Col North DSO
3rd Battn, Wiltshire Regt, Lt Col L W Spiller
3rd Battn, Gordon Highlanders, Colonel T L G Burnett CMG DSO
Detachment (Depot) Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Detachment GHQI Science School
11th Reserve Battn, Machine Gun Corps, Lt Col Plimpson DSO
Trench Mortar Battery
866 (HT) Royal Army Service Corps
Detachment Royal Army Medical Corps
Detachment Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Detachment Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Detachment Royal Air Force
Royal College of Surgeons' OTC
Trinity College OTC, Major Tate
St Andrew's College OTC
1st Cadet Battn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Detachment Women's Legion and WAAC
Detachment Women's Royal Air Force
Red Cross VAD
Armoured Cars
Tanks Corps
Armoured Lorries
Light Tanks
Heavy Tanks
The tail end being the 17th (Armoured Car) Battalion Tank Corps (possibly with elements of the 6th Battalion Tank Corps).
The route passed the Bank of Ireland building where the salute was taken. There were large crowds around Trinity College, Colllege Green etc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53095570@N05/4904413958/
Johnson's book carries a map with the route leading to St Stephen's Green and notes that it did not pass along Sackville (O'Connell) Street, scene of the Easter Rising (and later route of Easter parades). Possibly a political statement, possibly a reflection that Sackville Street and surrounds were still not rebuilt (the GPO only finally restored in the late 1920's).
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Bachelors Walk - James Brennan
Evidence of James Lanigan, House Surgeon, of Jervis Street Hospital, City of Dublin following Bachelors Walk :
The deceased, James Brennan, 7 Lower Buckingham Street, was brought to Jervis Street Hospital about 7.30 p.m., 26th July, 1914. He was suffering from a clean cut punctured wound in front and to inner side of right thigh, about 5 inches above knee, also a superficial wound one inch long below right gluteal region, and an incised wound six inches long on back of right thigh. He was in a state of collapse, and died in hospital about 8.30 p.m. on same evening.
By order of the City Coroner I made a post-mortem examination.
Externally I found wounds above described, and the wound in front of thigh communicated with the centre of 6-inch incised wound on back of thigh. On internal examination I found femoral artery was severed. All the other organs were healthy.
In my opinion death was due to shock following haemorrhage from the above injuries. The communicating wounds could be caused by a bullet, the incised wounds by a bayonet. In my opinion bullet wound was caused whilst man was standing up. It would be possible to stand up after receiving incised wounds, but not after receiving bullet wound. He could not run very far after receiving those wounds.
The deceased, James Brennan, 7 Lower Buckingham Street, was brought to Jervis Street Hospital about 7.30 p.m., 26th July, 1914. He was suffering from a clean cut punctured wound in front and to inner side of right thigh, about 5 inches above knee, also a superficial wound one inch long below right gluteal region, and an incised wound six inches long on back of right thigh. He was in a state of collapse, and died in hospital about 8.30 p.m. on same evening.
By order of the City Coroner I made a post-mortem examination.
Externally I found wounds above described, and the wound in front of thigh communicated with the centre of 6-inch incised wound on back of thigh. On internal examination I found femoral artery was severed. All the other organs were healthy.
In my opinion death was due to shock following haemorrhage from the above injuries. The communicating wounds could be caused by a bullet, the incised wounds by a bayonet. In my opinion bullet wound was caused whilst man was standing up. It would be possible to stand up after receiving incised wounds, but not after receiving bullet wound. He could not run very far after receiving those wounds.
KOSB Soldiers from Bachelors Walk
Some of the soldiers from the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers involved in Bachelors Walk.
The following were killed during the Great War and have links to their Commonwealth War Grave Commision entry.
Lt Hammond
Cpl/Sgt Ludlow B Company
Pte Bendelowe B Company
Pte Douglas (I keep thinking it was Pte Douglas reported as dropping 2 rounds but it was Pte Baird)
Pte Burgon B Company
Pte McCallum B Company
Pte McWhirter
L/Cpl Peter Finney was one of two soldiers injured at Howth. Consequently, he didn't arrive in France until 5/12/1914 (the rest of the unit arrived in France on the 15/8/1914). Finney appears to have moved to the 6th Battalion when he was killed in 1917.
The following appear to have got through the Great War :
Pte Charles Lightfoot, number 11555, appears to have survived. He enlisted 14/8/1913 and was discharged as a result of sickness 9/9/1918 aged 23years and 6months old. Silver War Badge number 448276.
Pte William Victor Lamb, number 11547, enlisted 4/7/1913 and was discharged as a result of wounds 30/9/1915.
Pte Hugh Victor Corrigan, number 11296, enlisted 5/3/1912 and was discharged as a result of wounds 15/5/1915.
Pte Andrew Baird, number 11615, appears to have survived the Great War. at some point transferred to 4th Labour Battalion as number 213133.
Yet to track down :
Privates :
Johanson
Boswell?
Rosewell
Galloway
Lennox
Burns
Doel?
Lee
Hyde
Green
James Porter
Downes/Daunes? (wounded at Howth)
Corporals :
Scotland
L/Cpl Evans
Sergeants :
Todd
Sullivan
Officers :
Lt Harvey
Lt Miles or Myles
Major Leigh (remained in barracks and was not directly involved)
The following were killed during the Great War and have links to their Commonwealth War Grave Commision entry.
Lt Hammond
Cpl/Sgt Ludlow B Company
Pte Bendelowe B Company
Pte Douglas (I keep thinking it was Pte Douglas reported as dropping 2 rounds but it was Pte Baird)
Pte Burgon B Company
Pte McCallum B Company
Pte McWhirter
L/Cpl Peter Finney was one of two soldiers injured at Howth. Consequently, he didn't arrive in France until 5/12/1914 (the rest of the unit arrived in France on the 15/8/1914). Finney appears to have moved to the 6th Battalion when he was killed in 1917.
The following appear to have got through the Great War :
Pte Charles Lightfoot, number 11555, appears to have survived. He enlisted 14/8/1913 and was discharged as a result of sickness 9/9/1918 aged 23years and 6months old. Silver War Badge number 448276.
Pte William Victor Lamb, number 11547, enlisted 4/7/1913 and was discharged as a result of wounds 30/9/1915.
Pte Hugh Victor Corrigan, number 11296, enlisted 5/3/1912 and was discharged as a result of wounds 15/5/1915.
Pte Andrew Baird, number 11615, appears to have survived the Great War. at some point transferred to 4th Labour Battalion as number 213133.
Yet to track down :
Privates :
Johanson
Boswell?
Rosewell
Galloway
Lennox
Burns
Doel?
Lee
Hyde
Green
James Porter
Downes/Daunes? (wounded at Howth)
Corporals :
Scotland
L/Cpl Evans
Sergeants :
Todd
Sullivan
Officers :
Lt Harvey
Lt Miles or Myles
Major Leigh (remained in barracks and was not directly involved)
KOSB Officers at Bachelors Walk July 1914
The 2nd Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) were involved in the incident at Bachelors Walk, Dublin in July 1914. They left Dublin shortly afterwards and went to France as the Great War erupted.
2 of the officers involved at Bachelors Walk soon found themselves as Prisoners of War and remained so for the duration.
Captain (later Major) Hugh Cobden and Major (later Lt Colonel) Alfred Edward Haig were placed on the "Exonerated Officers List' after their repatriation at the end of the war. This meant that neither was officially blamed for getting themselves captured and that they could claim their WW1 campaign medals.
Newspaper reports after Bachelors Walk suggested that there were 4 witnesses to Irish born Hugh Cobden shooting Mrs Duffy dead. Cobden's mother Georgina (nee Gough) was a great niece of Field Marshal Hugh Gough.
Major Haig was Mentioned in Dispatches on the 20th October 1914. His son was later to follow him into the army but died in what is now Malawi in 1941 with the 1st Battalion, Rhodesia Regiment, attached to the King's African Rifles. Major Haig's father was born in Dublin.
A third officer involved at Bachelors Walk was Dublin born Major Edward Sacheverell d'Ewes Coke. He served through the Great War and was promoted to Brevet Colonel/temporary Brigadier General, 169th Brigade. His father, Major General John Talbot Coke, has been awarded the Canada General Service Medal and promotion for his part in the Fenian Raids of Canada in 1866. He was later a Colonel in the KOSB. Two sons of Edward Coke were to die in Holland in 1944 - one serving with the KOSB and another with the Sherwood Foresters. They are buried in the same cemetery.
All 3 officers were interviewed/questioned by Henry Hanna KC in the aftermath of Bachelor's Walk. Hanna was to then be involved as the defence lawyer in the court-martials that followed the Easter Rising and the murder trial of Sgt Flood, 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers after the shooting of 2 British officers and 2 Guinness employees during the Rising. He also went on to write The Pals at Suvla, the story of D Company of the 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website lists 244 members of the 2nd Battalion KOSB who died in the first few months of WW1. A number are in Germany and I assume that they were wounded soldiers who had been captured.
2 of the officers involved at Bachelors Walk soon found themselves as Prisoners of War and remained so for the duration.
Captain (later Major) Hugh Cobden and Major (later Lt Colonel) Alfred Edward Haig were placed on the "Exonerated Officers List' after their repatriation at the end of the war. This meant that neither was officially blamed for getting themselves captured and that they could claim their WW1 campaign medals.
Newspaper reports after Bachelors Walk suggested that there were 4 witnesses to Irish born Hugh Cobden shooting Mrs Duffy dead. Cobden's mother Georgina (nee Gough) was a great niece of Field Marshal Hugh Gough.
Major Haig was Mentioned in Dispatches on the 20th October 1914. His son was later to follow him into the army but died in what is now Malawi in 1941 with the 1st Battalion, Rhodesia Regiment, attached to the King's African Rifles. Major Haig's father was born in Dublin.
A third officer involved at Bachelors Walk was Dublin born Major Edward Sacheverell d'Ewes Coke. He served through the Great War and was promoted to Brevet Colonel/temporary Brigadier General, 169th Brigade. His father, Major General John Talbot Coke, has been awarded the Canada General Service Medal and promotion for his part in the Fenian Raids of Canada in 1866. He was later a Colonel in the KOSB. Two sons of Edward Coke were to die in Holland in 1944 - one serving with the KOSB and another with the Sherwood Foresters. They are buried in the same cemetery.
All 3 officers were interviewed/questioned by Henry Hanna KC in the aftermath of Bachelor's Walk. Hanna was to then be involved as the defence lawyer in the court-martials that followed the Easter Rising and the murder trial of Sgt Flood, 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers after the shooting of 2 British officers and 2 Guinness employees during the Rising. He also went on to write The Pals at Suvla, the story of D Company of the 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website lists 244 members of the 2nd Battalion KOSB who died in the first few months of WW1. A number are in Germany and I assume that they were wounded soldiers who had been captured.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Bank of Ireland Roll of Honour
part of the Bank of Ireland Roll of Honour is now available to view online. I'm interested in trying to find out how many were members of the Dublin University OTC and to see how many might have been involved in the Easter Rising.
Las from the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation pointed out Lance Corporal William Percy Butler who had enlisted on the 16th February 1916 and as a member of the 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers was involved in the Easter Rising. No details as to his exact involvement unfortunately.
His CWGC entry indicates he was only 20 years old when he died of wounds a year to the day after the Easter Rising on the 24th April 1917.
De Ruvigny's memorial record states that he died in No 19 Casualty Clearing Station from wounds received while in charge of a Lewis Machine Gun at Gavrelle. The son of William John Butler, Assistant Librarian at Trinity College. Born Moy, Co Tyrone, 8th May 1896. Soldiers Died in the Great War says born Kingstown, Co Dublin but the 1901 census confirms Co Tyrone as his birthplace.
William Percy Butler is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Christ Chuch, Dun Laoghaire.
Las from the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation pointed out Lance Corporal William Percy Butler who had enlisted on the 16th February 1916 and as a member of the 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers was involved in the Easter Rising. No details as to his exact involvement unfortunately.
His CWGC entry indicates he was only 20 years old when he died of wounds a year to the day after the Easter Rising on the 24th April 1917.
De Ruvigny's memorial record states that he died in No 19 Casualty Clearing Station from wounds received while in charge of a Lewis Machine Gun at Gavrelle. The son of William John Butler, Assistant Librarian at Trinity College. Born Moy, Co Tyrone, 8th May 1896. Soldiers Died in the Great War says born Kingstown, Co Dublin but the 1901 census confirms Co Tyrone as his birthplace.
William Percy Butler is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Christ Chuch, Dun Laoghaire.
17th (Armoured Car) Battalion, Tank Corps
The 17th (Armoured Car) Battalion of the Tank Corps served in Marlborough Barracks, Dublin during the Tan War/War of Independence.
Prior to this they had served in France and Germany. This passage is a nice summary of the work of the 17th Battalion :
http://www.archive.o...835168_djvu.txt
It was formed, equipped, and landed in France in the short
space of six days. In six months it fought in ten separate
battles with English, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,
South African, French, and American troops, and was three
times mentioned in German dispatches. Every car was
hit and some of them many times, and yet the total losses
in killed in action throughout this period was only one officer
and four other ranks. At the cost of these five men and
seven cars totally destroyed, this battalion must have in-
flicted scores if not hundreds of casualties on the enemy.
That the British Army was not equipped with many more of
these units will be a problem which will doubtless perplex
the minds of future military historians.
Prior to this they had served in France and Germany. This passage is a nice summary of the work of the 17th Battalion :
http://www.archive.o...835168_djvu.txt
It was formed, equipped, and landed in France in the short
space of six days. In six months it fought in ten separate
battles with English, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,
South African, French, and American troops, and was three
times mentioned in German dispatches. Every car was
hit and some of them many times, and yet the total losses
in killed in action throughout this period was only one officer
and four other ranks. At the cost of these five men and
seven cars totally destroyed, this battalion must have in-
flicted scores if not hundreds of casualties on the enemy.
That the British Army was not equipped with many more of
these units will be a problem which will doubtless perplex
the minds of future military historians.
The 5 men killed were :
Pte Frank Robinson KIA 11/6/1918
Cpl William McNicoll KIA 21/8/1918
Pte Frederick Arthur Balch KIA 2/9/1918
Lt Norman Clark Wood MC KIA 2/9/1918
Pte Herbert Taylor KIA 29/9/1918
Balch, Talor and McNicoll had all been transferred from the Royal Flying Corps.
In Ireland, the battalion had Austin (and later Peerless) armoured cars as well as some Whippet medium tanks and the rhomboid Mark V and Mark V* normally associated with WW1.
A number of Whippet tanks from the 17th (AC) Battalion took park in the Victory Parade in Dublin, 19th July 1919 (Victory Parades were held in many of the Allied countries on this date, following the Treaty of Versailles) :
A230 Gofasta
A378 Golikell
A351 Fanny Adams
A289 Fanny's Sister
A340 was photographed being used in County Clare.
3 others seem to have been in Ireland in 1919 :
A242 Sadko
A308
A317
while A374 appears to have been in Dublin in 1920. (Thanks to Christina McMullen in the Early Irish Militaria 1916-1946 Facebook group for a picture showing A374 in a raid and named as "Shurrup").
A Company appears to have used Austin armoured cars
B Company appears to have used Whippets tanks
C Company appears to have used the Mark IV, V and V* tanks
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Guardian Photographer
stumbled upon an article re photographers in Ireland from an old online issue of the Guardian which mentions a photographer Walter Doughty who I'd not heard of before. Also a link to an archive of Guardian photos, some of which cover the Irish Civil War and afterwards.
The first article mentioned that a number of photographers/press came to Dublin on HMS Dove. This is the ship/sailing that brought Major General Friend across to Dublin (p39, The Sea Hound by Daire Brunicardi).
The first article mentioned that a number of photographers/press came to Dublin on HMS Dove. This is the ship/sailing that brought Major General Friend across to Dublin (p39, The Sea Hound by Daire Brunicardi).
Friday, 11 January 2013
HMS Laburnum/Singapore
HMS Laburnum was an Acacia class sloop launched in 1915. It was the ship that fired on suspected Irish Volunteers near Galway during the Easter Rising (a number of books and articles erroneously state that HMS Gloucester fired on the Volunteers).
It appears to have transferred to New Zealand after the Great War and then to Singapore. When the Japanese conquered Singapore in 1942 it appears to have been scuttled
In 1915, Singapore had itself been the scene of a rebellion, with a number of Indian troops starting a mutiny and killing a number of British soldiers and civilians. German Prisoners of War from the Emden were released by the mutineers and invited to take part in the rebellion but most appear to have declined.
With order restored by the British (aided by French, Russian and Japanese ships), a number of the Indian rebels were shot en masse by firing squad.
It appears to have transferred to New Zealand after the Great War and then to Singapore. When the Japanese conquered Singapore in 1942 it appears to have been scuttled
In 1915, Singapore had itself been the scene of a rebellion, with a number of Indian troops starting a mutiny and killing a number of British soldiers and civilians. German Prisoners of War from the Emden were released by the mutineers and invited to take part in the rebellion but most appear to have declined.
With order restored by the British (aided by French, Russian and Japanese ships), a number of the Indian rebels were shot en masse by firing squad.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Guinness Drivers
A letter to Colonel Collard, ASC, dated 16th Dec 1914 lists 16 Straker Squires, 35hp, capable of carrying 4 tons; these were the subject of an earlier request by the military (8/11/1914 and 8/12/1914) for 16 x 3 ton lorries for use in case of an emergency in Ireland only.
As at 9th May 1917, Guinness had 11 Straker Squires left (8 valued at £30 and 3 at £40) and 13 Milnes-Daimlers and appeared happy to give the military the Straker Squires but not the Milnes-Daimlers (or the steam wagons)
Guinness appeared to use a numbering system for their vehicles. A note dated 18th April 1918 has
No 2 4 ton Straker Squire valued at £20 (after recent overhaul and paint)
No 4 4 ton Straker Squires valued at £20 (after recent overhaul and paint)
No 23 4 ton Milnes Daimler valued at £87-18-11
No 28 4 ton Milnes Daimler valued at £94-13-11
3 Guinness lorries in Liverpool (no's 11, 12 and 13) had been requisitioned by the military in August 1914.
In Oct 1913, the Dublin office had a list of drivers, their numbers, date they entered service, date appointed as a driver, and wage per week. (All Straker Squires drivers I'm assuming)
8471 Ledwidge, Henry 18/10/99 14/06/09 49/-
8420 Fleming, James 1/9/99 11/10/09 37/-
7637 Dunne, John 3/9/96 8/8/10 35/-
10690 Hilton, L(onie) 10/02/04 27/12/09 32/- (served during WW1, Royal Navy)
7185 Dillon, William 23/09/95 28/7/09 33/-
7496 Prior, Daniel 8/9/98 11/10/09 33/-
Other drivers were appointed
25/04/10 x 1
13/3/11 x 2
1/11/11 x 2
24/1/12 x 2
22/3/12 x1
10/5/12 x2
13/9/12 x2
15/11/12 x 3
As at 27/1/1914 the following Milnes-Daimler drivers were working at Guinness with their join date :
F Page 8/11/13
C Frisby 8/11/13
R Moon 8/11/13
J Sassiene 12/11/13
H Francis 12/11/13
P Green 12/11/13
G Taylor 19/11/13
Guinness appears to have hired tyres from Dunlop at 1 1/4 pence per mile.
As at 9th May 1917, Guinness had 11 Straker Squires left (8 valued at £30 and 3 at £40) and 13 Milnes-Daimlers and appeared happy to give the military the Straker Squires but not the Milnes-Daimlers (or the steam wagons)
Guinness appeared to use a numbering system for their vehicles. A note dated 18th April 1918 has
No 2 4 ton Straker Squire valued at £20 (after recent overhaul and paint)
No 4 4 ton Straker Squires valued at £20 (after recent overhaul and paint)
No 23 4 ton Milnes Daimler valued at £87-18-11
No 28 4 ton Milnes Daimler valued at £94-13-11
3 Guinness lorries in Liverpool (no's 11, 12 and 13) had been requisitioned by the military in August 1914.
In Oct 1913, the Dublin office had a list of drivers, their numbers, date they entered service, date appointed as a driver, and wage per week. (All Straker Squires drivers I'm assuming)
8471 Ledwidge, Henry 18/10/99 14/06/09 49/-
8420 Fleming, James 1/9/99 11/10/09 37/-
7637 Dunne, John 3/9/96 8/8/10 35/-
10690 Hilton, L(onie) 10/02/04 27/12/09 32/- (served during WW1, Royal Navy)
7185 Dillon, William 23/09/95 28/7/09 33/-
7496 Prior, Daniel 8/9/98 11/10/09 33/-
Other drivers were appointed
25/04/10 x 1
13/3/11 x 2
1/11/11 x 2
24/1/12 x 2
22/3/12 x1
10/5/12 x2
13/9/12 x2
15/11/12 x 3
As at 27/1/1914 the following Milnes-Daimler drivers were working at Guinness with their join date :
F Page 8/11/13
C Frisby 8/11/13
R Moon 8/11/13
J Sassiene 12/11/13
H Francis 12/11/13
P Green 12/11/13
G Taylor 19/11/13
Guinness appears to have hired tyres from Dunlop at 1 1/4 pence per mile.
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