A number of Easter Rising books/documents touch on a British Army Cadet G F Mackay as being captured at the start of the Easter Rising and held at Boland' Mill until the end of the Rising :
Max Caulfield's The Easter Rebellion
http://archive.org/stream/irishrebelliona01joygoog/irishrebelliona01joygoog_djvu.txt
http://lenus.ie/hse/bitstream/10147/46224/1/956.pdf
There is an actors voiceover providing a recording of Cadet Mackays' experiences (based on an account in the Ampleforth Journal of 1916)
http://www.museum.ie/en/exhibition/list/audio-accountsbooklet.aspx?article=1f3ddf7c-22f6-4380-a635-74a7dc555dbd
In an educational resource pack, he appears to have written to Eamon De Valera congratulating his former captor on becoming President in Ireland; he appears to have become a Lt Colonel
http://www.ria.ie/getmedia/fe3d1c0d-d046-4543-9cdb-9c603951b3da/Documents-resource-pack-for-dev.pdf.aspx
He stated he was 18 in 1916.
The nearest name that matches is George F(rederick) Mackay in the 1901 census for Ireland
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Wexford/Courtown/Courtown_Harbour/1794027/
This chap and his brother Charles (Joseph) MacKay are at Ampleforth school in the 1911 census and are then referenced in the Ampleforth Journal re war service, both in the Leinster Regt and then RFC (G F Mackay is also referenced as RAF). In the 1911 census, George is listed as born Co Cork and Charles born in Co Westmeath.
http://www.archive.org/stream/ampleforthjourna23yorkuoft/ampleforthjourna23yorkuoft_djvu.txt
A digitised record for George Frederick MacKay from the UK National Archives gives his date of birth as 7th June 1897, Mitchelstown, Cork/Limerick. Shows addresses in Hove, Sussex and Accra, Gold Coast, West Africa.
His RFC record has not been digitised yet.
There is a WW2 war grave that mentions a Lt Col G F Mackay living in Jersey.
http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=2815537
and this appears to be George Frederick MacKay.
George Frederick MacKay died in Brighton, England in 1968 aged 71. His wife Sonia Mary MacKay died in 1978 aged 76.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Books re Naval activity in Ireland during WW1
I managed to pick up a copy of Secret Victory by Liam Nolan and John Nolan on a visit to Dublin last year. While I had a vague awareness of the role of the Helga and other ships in the Easter Rising, the sinking of the Lusitania and RMS Leinster and a passing awareness of anti submarine operations by air ships I didn't have a good grasp of naval activity in Ireland, either British or American.
The following books have now been acquired and read :
Pull Together by Admiral Lewis Bayly
Danger Zone by Edward Chatterton
My Mystery Ships by ADmiral Campbell
Liffey Ships and Shipbuilding by Pat Sweeney (the Helga claimed to have sunk a U boat off the Isle of Man on 4th April 1918)
The Sea Hound by Daire Brunicardi
RAF and US Naval Air Service in Ireland 1913-1923 by Karl Hayes
All good reads offering different insights into naval issues in Ireland during WW1 (and beyond in the case of The Sea Hound and Liffey Ships and Shipbuilding).
The following books have now been acquired and read :
Pull Together by Admiral Lewis Bayly
Danger Zone by Edward Chatterton
My Mystery Ships by ADmiral Campbell
Liffey Ships and Shipbuilding by Pat Sweeney (the Helga claimed to have sunk a U boat off the Isle of Man on 4th April 1918)
The Sea Hound by Daire Brunicardi
RAF and US Naval Air Service in Ireland 1913-1923 by Karl Hayes
All good reads offering different insights into naval issues in Ireland during WW1 (and beyond in the case of The Sea Hound and Liffey Ships and Shipbuilding).
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Kevin Barry, Dublin, 1920
Kevin Barry was just 18 when he was hung by executioner John Ellis in Dublin in November 1920.
The 3 British soldiers who died as a result of the raid on Monk's Bakery where Kevin Barry was captured were :
Private Harold Washington, aged 15 (born Salford, Lancashire on 4th October 1904). Died at the scene of the raid.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/378591/WASHINGTON,%20H
Findagrave
Private Marshall Whitehead, aged 20, born 3rd quarter (July to September) 1900. Died of wounds.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2751877/WHITEHEAD,%20MARSHALL
Findagrave
Private Thomas Humphries, aged 19. Died of wounds.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/411232/HUMPHRIES,%20T
Findagrave
A wide range of propaganda was generated re the young age of Kevin Barry. The British don't appear to have countered this propaganda very well - there doesn't appear to have been too much done to use the age of Private Washington in relation to pressure re Kevin Barry's age (Harold Washington's death registration lists him as 19).
The 3 British soldiers who died as a result of the raid on Monk's Bakery where Kevin Barry was captured were :
Private Harold Washington, aged 15 (born Salford, Lancashire on 4th October 1904). Died at the scene of the raid.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/378591/WASHINGTON,%20H
Findagrave
Private Marshall Whitehead, aged 20, born 3rd quarter (July to September) 1900. Died of wounds.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2751877/WHITEHEAD,%20MARSHALL
Findagrave
Private Thomas Humphries, aged 19. Died of wounds.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/411232/HUMPHRIES,%20T
Findagrave
A wide range of propaganda was generated re the young age of Kevin Barry. The British don't appear to have countered this propaganda very well - there doesn't appear to have been too much done to use the age of Private Washington in relation to pressure re Kevin Barry's age (Harold Washington's death registration lists him as 19).
Monday, 1 April 2013
Children killed during the Easter Rising
Links to a couple of articles by Joe Duffy at RTE re the children killed during the Easter Rising
30 children :
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/liveline/generic/2013/0215/367956-special-features/
30 children
http://www.herald.ie/news/joes-easter-rising-search-29088039.html
38 children
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/programmes/2013/0324/376691-the-history-show-sunday-24-march-2013/?clipid=1030745
There is an entry above mentioning George Playfair. George wasn't a reservist (reservists were called up in 1914 to become regulars) but he was a Civil Servant. I did an earlier blog re his father.
Missing from the list was 16year old Neville Fryday who was a member of the Canadian Army and on leave in Dublin at the time of the Rising. Neville had lied about his age when enlisting. Joe Duffy had now added Neville to his list but John Jessop has dropped off (he was older than originally thought) so the list is still at 38.
An old document listing the members of the Fianna killed during the Rising can be found here :
http://digital.ucd.ie/get/ivrla:30626/pdf
30 children :
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/liveline/generic/2013/0215/367956-special-features/
30 children
http://www.herald.ie/news/joes-easter-rising-search-29088039.html
38 children
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/programmes/2013/0324/376691-the-history-show-sunday-24-march-2013/?clipid=1030745
There is an entry above mentioning George Playfair. George wasn't a reservist (reservists were called up in 1914 to become regulars) but he was a Civil Servant. I did an earlier blog re his father.
Missing from the list was 16year old Neville Fryday who was a member of the Canadian Army and on leave in Dublin at the time of the Rising. Neville had lied about his age when enlisting. Joe Duffy had now added Neville to his list but John Jessop has dropped off (he was older than originally thought) so the list is still at 38.
An old document listing the members of the Fianna killed during the Rising can be found here :
http://digital.ucd.ie/get/ivrla:30626/pdf
Hugh Coffey Love
In October 1916 (Reverend?) Hugh Coffey Love (5th December 1871 to 31st May 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Rebellion (Victims) Committee following the Easter Rising. The address given for correspondence was 13 St Stephen's Green, Dublin.
He also gets a mention in James Joyce's book Ulysses as a priggish clergyman. He also appears to have won a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1917 for rescuing a woman who had thrown herself into the River Liffey.
1871 Born in Belfast, father John Love (1836-1887), mother Mary Jane Love, nee Coffey, (1840 - 1920)
April 1888 exam in Belfast
April 1888 Boy Clerk in the London Gazette
May 1888 Post Office appointment in te London Gazette
December 1890 exam in Belfast
1899 Baptism of his son where he is listed as a Civil Servant
January 1891 posting in the London Gazette
1901 Census for Hugh Love and family
1911 Census for Hugh Love and family
1916 National Archives Procedure of the Rebellion (Victims) Committee
1925 appointment to Ministry of Education in Northern Ireland
1948 Died in Belfast
He also gets a mention in James Joyce's book Ulysses as a priggish clergyman. He also appears to have won a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1917 for rescuing a woman who had thrown herself into the River Liffey.
1871 Born in Belfast, father John Love (1836-1887), mother Mary Jane Love, nee Coffey, (1840 - 1920)
April 1888 exam in Belfast
April 1888 Boy Clerk in the London Gazette
May 1888 Post Office appointment in te London Gazette
December 1890 exam in Belfast
1899 Baptism of his son where he is listed as a Civil Servant
January 1891 posting in the London Gazette
1901 Census for Hugh Love and family
1911 Census for Hugh Love and family
1916 National Archives Procedure of the Rebellion (Victims) Committee
1925 appointment to Ministry of Education in Northern Ireland
1948 Died in Belfast
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Irish American soldiers repatriated to Ireland
In 1922, 64 soldiers in the American Expeditionary Force killed during WW1 who originated from Ireland were repatriated to Ireland.
A list of the soldiers can be found at :
http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/jpquinlan/index.htm
Researcher and author Tom Burnell recently had a query on the Great War Forum re Edmond Brunick/Brunnock who died of wounds 1st October 1918. A short while ago the grave of Edmond Brunnock was rediscovered and a ceremony took place in 2012 at his grave to recognise his service in WW1.
News article can be found on the web re some of these soldiers e.g.
George Crefin
The American Legion have a couple of branches in Ireland and contribute to the upkeep the graves of US personnel buried in Ireland.
http://www.legion.org/magazine/214002/sacred-priority
A list of the soldiers can be found at :
http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/jpquinlan/index.htm
Researcher and author Tom Burnell recently had a query on the Great War Forum re Edmond Brunick/Brunnock who died of wounds 1st October 1918. A short while ago the grave of Edmond Brunnock was rediscovered and a ceremony took place in 2012 at his grave to recognise his service in WW1.
News article can be found on the web re some of these soldiers e.g.
George Crefin
The American Legion have a couple of branches in Ireland and contribute to the upkeep the graves of US personnel buried in Ireland.
http://www.legion.org/magazine/214002/sacred-priority
Monday, 11 March 2013
Major George Robert Playfair MC
George Robert Playfair was born in Hampshire (Southsea or Portsea) in 1869, the son of John and Sarah Playfair. John was born in Ireland and had served as a soldier.
George enlisted in the Garrison Artillery in 1887 and rose to the rank of SQMS. He transferred to the Ordnance Corps in 1900 with the rank of Sub-Conductor (Warrant Officer).
In the 1901 census, he is listed as a Sub-Conductor. The 3 eldest children (ages 7, 6 and 4) all listed as born in Nova Scotia; the youngest child (aged 2) is listed as born in Devonport.
George appears to have been a Conductor in 1902
http://www.rlc-condu...torPlayFile.pdf
In 1908, he moves from Conductor to Assistant Commissary of Ordnance/Lt :
http://www.london-ga...s/8544/page.pdf
In 1911, he is in Dublin, with 2 additional children (1 born England aged 9, 1 born Dublin age 1). He appears to have been the Superintendent at the Royal Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
His Medal Index Card, shows he entered a theatre of war (presume France) 13th August 1914. Ranks are listed as Hon Lt, Hon Capt, Hon Maj and then Capt. Address is shown as Room 169, War Office, London SW1
In June 1916 he appears in the London Gazette as Honorary Captain for the award of a Military Cross but no information so far about what the MC was awarded for. While George was in France, his eldest son George Alexander Playfair (aged 23) was shot during the Easter Rising and died of his wounds, 29th April 1916.
http://www.london-ga...upplements/5576
In August 1918, he is DCO (Deputy Commissary of Ordnance) and Captain; steps down from Honorary Major and role of C of O (Commissary of Ordnance?)
http://www.london-ga...upplements/9545
In May 1922, he is a C of O and Major once again
http://www.london-ga...upplements/3857
George was posted to Sierra Leone in July 1922 but appears to have died of heart failure in August 1922. He is buried in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
http://twgpp.org/inf....php?id=2109312
George enlisted in the Garrison Artillery in 1887 and rose to the rank of SQMS. He transferred to the Ordnance Corps in 1900 with the rank of Sub-Conductor (Warrant Officer).
In the 1901 census, he is listed as a Sub-Conductor. The 3 eldest children (ages 7, 6 and 4) all listed as born in Nova Scotia; the youngest child (aged 2) is listed as born in Devonport.
George appears to have been a Conductor in 1902
http://www.rlc-condu...torPlayFile.pdf
In 1908, he moves from Conductor to Assistant Commissary of Ordnance/Lt :
http://www.london-ga...s/8544/page.pdf
In 1911, he is in Dublin, with 2 additional children (1 born England aged 9, 1 born Dublin age 1). He appears to have been the Superintendent at the Royal Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
His Medal Index Card, shows he entered a theatre of war (presume France) 13th August 1914. Ranks are listed as Hon Lt, Hon Capt, Hon Maj and then Capt. Address is shown as Room 169, War Office, London SW1
In June 1916 he appears in the London Gazette as Honorary Captain for the award of a Military Cross but no information so far about what the MC was awarded for. While George was in France, his eldest son George Alexander Playfair (aged 23) was shot during the Easter Rising and died of his wounds, 29th April 1916.
http://www.london-ga...upplements/5576
In August 1918, he is DCO (Deputy Commissary of Ordnance) and Captain; steps down from Honorary Major and role of C of O (Commissary of Ordnance?)
http://www.london-ga...upplements/9545
In May 1922, he is a C of O and Major once again
http://www.london-ga...upplements/3857
George was posted to Sierra Leone in July 1922 but appears to have died of heart failure in August 1922. He is buried in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
http://twgpp.org/inf....php?id=2109312
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