Ireland's Military Story

Category: British Army

  • Celbridge’s Lost Son – Private Robert Beveridge

    Celbridge’s Lost Son – Private Robert Beveridge

    Celbridge’s Lost Son – Private Robert Beveridge

    Over the past year and half we have been researching for our first project – Celbridge’s Military Story. This project has led us down history trails we never envisaged. A project by the History Squad in Scoil Na Mainistreach on Celbridge’s casualties of the Great War led us to Major William Dease – son of Sir Col. Gerald Dease – who in turn had recruited local men into the Remounts in 1914. By pure chance we came across a casualty of the Great War not on the Celbridge war dead list: Private Robert Beveridge 28th Remount Squadron who is buried in Naas, County Kildare. Robert died on 25 January 1919 in the Curragh Military Hospital. The Kildare Observer confirmed he had been given a military funeral with honours paid by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Robert’s military records have not survived and no birth cert exists. Last year we inconclusively connected Robert to Celbridge through census records: the census listed a Robert Beverage, foster child with the Lennon family in Celbridge and later a labourer. Digging up several conundrums we came to multiple dead ends to conclusively prove the two Roberts were one of the same.

    Not wanting to leave it at that we endeavoured to find out more. With the help of historians Drs Ann Mathews and Brendan O’Shea, local historians Jim Tancred and George Bagnall, Graham Hughes and Martin Whyte of St. Corban’s cemetery, and David Grant (www.cairogang.com) the story of Robert began to come together piece by piece. Through documents such as Robert’s Soldier’s Effects we were able to link the Private Beveridge buried in Naas to Celbridge and the Lennon family. As it turns out the Lennon family are still in the area and proudly remember Robert. We met the Lennon family – who still poses Robert’s medals and his photograph – and paid tribute at his grave. The History Squad had the key all along. 100 years ago, the Lennon family were the stuart’s of the Dease estate in Celbridge Abbey and Kilmacredock.

    We will be bringing you Robert’s full story in the coming months.

    Nora and Eoghan Lennon at the grave of Private Robert Beveridge in Naas. (Photograph by Wesley Bourke)

    This project is sponsored by Kildare County Council Heritage Office.

  • Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Photographs by John O’Byrne and Niall Keating

    The Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying took place today at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge. Due to Covid 19, restrictions were in place and a smaller ceremony was held in the Rose Garden.The event was arranged and led by the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland District with the co-operation and assistance of the OPW – Office of Public Works. The ceremony corresponds with the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and commemorates those who lost their lives in the two World Wars, in particular the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the Ireland who served and died in those conflicts.

    Representation from all parts and traditions of the Island of Ireland is a key feature.The ceremony commenced at 12.30 pm. Unfortunately, due to restrictions there was no colourful parade of standards this year. An ecumenical service of remembrance, recitals and music and the laying of official wreaths by members of the government and civic leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service and veterans’ representatives.Music was provided by Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces and the Royal Irish Regiment.

    The event was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance, Jack Chambers TD, DCOS Support Major General Seán Clancy, British Ambassador to Ireland HE Mr. Robin Barnett CMG.German, Ambassador to Ireland HE Ambassador Deike Potzel, New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland HE Brad Burgess, French Ambassador to Ireland HE Mr Stéphane Crouzat, First Secretary Embassy of Australia Mr Rober Owen-Jones, The President The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland, Lt. Col. Ken Martin,The President, The Royal British Legion, Northern Ireland, Major Philip J. Morrison MBE BEM.

    The service was given by the Church of Ireland Rector of Kindle Rev Peter Rutherford.

  • Centenary of Connaught Rangers Indian Mutiny

    Centenary of Connaught Rangers Indian Mutiny

    Centenary of Connaught Rangers Indian Mutiny

    The Connaught Rangers ‘The Devils Own’ was a Irish regiment in the British Army, serving as Line Infantry from 1793 to 1922. It was formed after the amalgamation in 1881 of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) and the 94th Regiment of Foot. Its 2 Regular Battalions and the Reserve Battalions had their home depot at Renmore Barracks, Galway. It was disbanded upon the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922.

    Following the First World War the regiment was reduced to a peacetime strength of two battalions. On the outbreak of hostilities in Ireland, Irish regiments were stationed abroad. The two battalions of the Connaught Rangers were no different; the 1st Battalion was garrisoned in India and the 2nd Battalion in Dover. The news of the conflict back home in Ireland was reported around the world. On 28 June 1920 five men garrisoned at Wellington Barracks, Jallandhar, Punjab, protested against martial law in Ireland and refused to carry out military duties. The mutiny soon spread. The protest was peaceful with the men locking themselves in and demanding British troops leave Ireland, but under military law refusal to carry out military duties is considered mutiny.

    Members of the 1st Battalion in India. James Daly is bottom right. (Image: King House Museum, Boyle)

    Thirty men were locked in the guardroom. The next morning Colonel Digan pleaded with the men to return to duty and praised the work of the regiment; he failed in his efforts. A committee of seven were appointed to take charge. The Union Jack was taken down and replaced with a tricolour.  

    On 30 June, Frank Geraghty and Patrick Kelly, travelled to Solon barracks where C Company were stationed and spread the protests to there. Led by Private James Daly mutineers took over the Solon garrison. The only casualties took place on the evening of 1 July when the mutineers attempted to arm themselves. In a rush on the armoury at Solon, Privates Patrick Smythe and Peter Sears were shot dead; Private Sears was not involved and on his way to his billet and caught in the crossfire. The incident effectively ended the mutiny and the men placed under armed guard.

    Private James Daly, 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers. (Image: King House Museum, Boyle)

    88 mutineers from both companies were tried by General Court-Martial on 20 August 1920 in Dagshai: 19 men were sentenced to death; 18 later had their sentences changed to life imprisonment; 59 were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment; and ten men were acquitted. Private James Daly was executed by firing squad on 2 November 1920 in Dagshai Prison, becoming the last member of the British Armed Forces to be executed for mutiny. Private John Miranda from Liverpool, one of the English mutineers, died later of enteric fever at Dagshai.

    On the establishment of the Irish Free Sate in 1922, those serving life were released. On 1 November 1970, James Daly was reinterred in Tyrellspass, Co. Westmeath.

    You can watch footage from RTÉ Archives of recordings of survivors interviewed for ‘Seven Days’ broadcast on 3 November 1970. Click here

    To mark the Centenary of the Connaught Rangers mutiny, Sligo Library recorded a conversation, to tell the story of the Connaught Rangers Mutiny and its aftermath. This conversation is a chance to remind ourselves of the significance of Ireland and Sligo’s forgotten heroes.

  • On the History Trail in the Glen of Imaal

    On the History Trail in the Glen of Imaal

    On the History Trail in the Glen of Imaal

    Photographs by Wesley Bourke

    Anyone who has served in the Irish Defence Forces will be very familiar with the Glen of Imaal in the heart of Wicklow. In typical military fashion every training exercise or time on the range in this area is marked with either cold lashing rain or relentless attacks by midges; meaning you don’t exactly get a chance to take in the magnificent beauty or the historical landmarks. We took a visit to the Glen this week to research a project. The Glen of Imaal is a military training area and range since the turn of the 20th century, however, a military presence date back further. We were specifically looking for the old boundary stones and what we could find of Leitrim Barracks.

    Military Boundary Stones

    Military boundary stones and trenches can be found in many – but not all – former British military sites; primarily training areas and ranges that originally had no boundary wall or fence. Most are gone or have been reclaimed by nature; others, like in the Glen of Imaal, you walk past without taking notice. Their primary purpose was to delineate boundaries of a military site. The stones are marked with distinct letters and symbols which can help date them. For example: the broad arrow or crows foot denoting the Board of Ordnance have been in use since 1699. In 1805 this symbol was used on all ordnance stores in use by His Majesty’s Service. Admiralty boundary stones are adorned with the fouled anchor. Stones marked with the letters BO denotes the Boundary of the (Board of) Ordnance. The Board of Ordnance was disbanded in 1855 and became the War Department and from this date stones are marked WD. Each stone is given a number which denotes their location on a map. In the Glen of Imaal there are several stones clearly visible between Table and Lobawn mountains along a boundary trench with the markings WD and the arrow.

    Another visible set of boundary stones and boundary trench can be found on the hills surrounding Kilbride Military Camp in Northwest Wicklow.

    War Department Markers on Table and Lobawn Mountains.

    Leitrim Barracks

    Two barracks were built in the Glen by the British military: Coolmoney Camp and Leitrim Barracks. The former is still in use by the Defence Forces, but Leitrim Barracks may not be familiar to you. Not to be confused with the county, Leitrim is a townland in the Glen of Imaal. Following the 1798 rebellion and the threat of French invasion, the authorities at the time developed a defence in depth plan for Ireland that included coastal defences and a barrack network complemented by an infrastructure that could allow for rapid deployment of units. In Wicklow a military road was sited and constructed by the War Office from 1801 to 1809. Starting at Rathfarnham the road runs to Aughavannagh, with a side route from Enniskerry to Glencree. The route from Rathfarnham to Aughavannagh covers 36 miles (58 km). Barracks were built/or sited along the way: Glencree, Liffy Head Bridge (not built), Laragh, Drumgoff in mid Glenmalure and Aughavannagh. Not on the Military Road, Leitrim Barracks in the Glen of Imaal was also built to protect the old mountain track way linking Glen of lmaal to Glendalough.


    • Leitrim Barracks pre 1914: Photographer: Robert French. Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection. (National Library of Ireland).
    • This image and to the right show the site of Leitrim Barracks today.

    Leitrim Barracks could accommodate 200 troops. The main building caught fire in 1914 and the barracks was dismantled by the National Army Salvage Corps in 1923. Still marked on the map, the barracks today is forest with very little evidence that troops ever occupied the area. One photograph of the barracks in the National Library shows the main barracks building prior to the fire.

    Glen Disaster

    While in the area we paid our respects to the 16 soldiers who lost their life in an accident on 16 September 1941. The incident, known as the Glen of Imaal Disaster, occurred during a training exercise involving 27 officers and men from the army’s anti-aircraft battalion, artillery school, and corps of engineers. An antitank mine unexpectedly exploded immediately killing 15 while 1 later succumbed to wounds. Three other men were blinded in the accident.

    The memorial to the men who lost their lives in an explosion in September 1941.

  • Historic Moment for the Royal Irish

    Historic Moment for The Royal Irish Regiment

    On St. Patrick’s Day, the new Regimental Flag was officially raised for the first time. It was designed with legacy and courage at its core; based on the Royal Ulster Rifles’ WWII shoulder flash. It is a symbol which is important to the entire Regimental family, just like the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, which has been embroidered on the Pipe Major’s Pipe Banner.
    For more information, please watch the video below in which these changes are explained by the Colonel of the Regiment.
    Faugh a Ballagh.

  • New Jackals for Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry

    New Jackals for Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry

    New Jackals Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry

    first published: 27 February 2020

    B Squadron under training on the Jackal. (Photograph: North Irish Horse)

    On 23 February members of B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, The Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry – who are paired with the Regular Army’s Royal Scots Dragoon Guards – marked the end of a 2-week course camp concentration were members gained training and qualifications using the GPMG, HMG, and the new Jackal platform. As the lead Squadron for gunnery in the Regiment, the GPMG and HMG courses were conducted at Magilligan Training Centre.

    The Jackal Commander and Driver courses were conducted out of both Leuchars and C (FFY/SH) Squadron. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards provided instructors and facilities: an example of the Paired Regular and Reserve working relationship. All of the Jackal Drivers gained their Cat C Licence through the Army. The new vehicles will allow Scotland and Northern Ireland’s Army Reservists to perform their reconnaissance and scouting tasks to an even higher level.

    The Jackal 2

    The Jackal 2 is a tactical support vehicle high mobility weapons platform patrol and reconnaissance vehicle produced by Supacat of Honiton – responsible for the design and programme management – and Babcock Marine subsidiary Devonport Management Ltd, which will manufacture the vehicles at its Devonport facility. The Jackal’s height-adjustable suspension system can be be lowered to give a stable platform, or raised to clear high obstacles.

    Jackal 2: 4×4
    Length: 5.39m
    Width: 2.00m
    Height: 197m
    Weight: 6,650Kg
    Maximum Speed on Road: 80mph (129km/h)
    Maximum Speed on Rough Terrain: 55mph (89km/h)
    Turning Circle: 17.5m
    Ground Clearance: 280mm-530mm
    Range: 800km-1,000km
    Engine: 6.7l diesel Cummins ISRe Euro 3, Allison 2500 automatic 5-speed transmission

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUQBncaCAUA

  • Passing of Major General David O’Morchoe

    Passing of Major General David O’Morchoe

    Major General David O’Morchoe at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (Photo by Patrick Hugh Lynch)

    We share the sad news of the passing of Major General David O’Morchoe, CB, CBE, KLJ.
    Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

    Living in Tara Hill Gorey Wexford for many years. General O’Morchoe was born in 1928. A prominent figure in veteran’s affairs in Ireland. He became President of the Royal British Legion Ireland in 1987. He was also known as hereditary Chief of the O’Morchoe or Murphy clan.

    General O’Morchoe joined the British Army in 1946. Graduating from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1948. He served in the Suez Canal Zone, Aqaba, Gibraltar and Germany. He served as CO of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers. Before retirement in 1979, he had the responsibility of being Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Sultan of Oman. He dedicated his later life to the care of British ex-Servicemen personnel and their dependents.
    During the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II, General O’Morchoe showed the queen around the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin.
    Service of Reception at Kiltennel Parish Church this Sunday Nov 24th at 6pm. Funeral service on Monday Nov 25th at 12 noon in Christ Church, Gorey followed by Private Cremation. House Strictly Private Please.
    Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

  • Annual Remembrance Ceremony at Granegorman

    Annual Remembrance Ceremony at Granegorman

    Photographs by Ken Mooney

    Dignitaries, members of the Irish Defence Forces, veterans, family, and members of the public turned out in the rain today at Grangegorman Military Cemetery to remember those who served and lost their lives during the Great War. The annual remembrance event is co-hosted by the OPW and Claddagh Branch Royal British Legion (RoI). The colour guard was provided by members of the Prison Service. The British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett CMG laid a wreath.

  • Celbridge’s Military Story – Private Robert Beveridge A Son of Celbridge?

    Celbridge’s Military Story – Private Robert Beveridge A Son of Celbridge?

    Private Robert Beveridge – A Son of Celbridge?

    Celbridge’s Military Story took us to Naas, County Kildare this week. For the past few weeks we’ve been researching Celbridge and the Great War. Extensive work has been done on this by Dr. Fionnuala Walsh, by the History Squad in Scoil na Mainistreach, and the students of Salesian College. Today there are now two Great War memorials in Celbridge, honouring those who lost their lives in that conflict; one in Christ Church and one in Salesian College. The History Squad that unearthed a connection with Celbridge and the Remount Service. They reported that local man, Major William Dease, had recruited Celbridge men into this branch of the Army. It was on this trail that led us to Private Robert Beveridge of the Army Remount Service, who died in the Curragh Military Hospital on 25 January 1919.

    Robert’s name popped up as a casualty of the Great War, buried in Saint Corbans Cemetery in Naas, County Kildare. He is listed as: R/066621 Private R. B. Beveridge, 28th Remount Squadron, the Royal Army Service Corps. Son of Mrs. M. Beveridge, of Limerick Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.

    Producer Wesley Bourke at the grave of Pte Robert Beveridge in Corban’s Cemetery Naas, Co. Kildare. (Photo by Michael Coyne)

    There is no mention of a connection with Celbridge. As it is an unusual name we had a look at the census. In the 1901 Census, there is a Robert Beverage, 6 year old boy, living with the Lennon family at Main Street, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. He was noted as a “boarder”. In the 1911 Census, Robert Beverage was a 17 year old Agricultural Labourer, living with the Lennon family at Kilmacredock Upper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, and still noted as a “boarder”.

    Our link to Robert Beveridge in Naas is only speculative as the trail ends here. Recent information indicates that Robert was a foster child of James Lennon and Norah née Somers Lennon.

    We do know from the surviving medal index card of Private Robert Beveridge buried in Naas, that he was awarded the 1915 medal. Indicating he joined possibly around the start of the war.

    He died at the Military Hospital at the Curragh, from appendicitis and liver abscesses. Hopefully more information will come to light and we can confirm that Robert Beveridge buried in Naas is the same Robert Beverage from Celbridge listed in the early census.

    This project is supported by Kildare County Council.

  • Victory Day Commemorations in Dublin

    Victory Day commemorations in Dublin 100 years Ago Today

    On 11 November, 1918, the guns fell silent across frontlines spanning several continents. Some ten million military personnel and eight million civilians lost their lives. Millions of others were severally wounded, many went on to live with hidden wounds that haunted them for the rest of their lives. The war to end all wars, however, did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919 in Versailles between the Allied Powers and Germany; exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The remaining Central Powers signed separate treaties.  

    Evening News, 28 June 1919

    To celebrate the ending of the war and to pay tribute to the men and women who had fought and died during the conflict, Victory Day or Peace Day commemorations were held around the world. In Britain a Peace Committee met on 9 May 1919, and outlined a series of celebrations throughout the Great Britain and Ireland running over four days, including a Public Holiday, Victory Marches, a day of thanksgiving services, and other popular festivities. The main Victory/Peace Parades took place on 19 July, 1919. In Ireland parades were held throughout the country; the largest taking place in Dublin centred around College Green.

    The Evening Herald, Saturday, 19 July, 1919 reported:

    ‘Dublin’s Peace Day

    Huge Crowds Witness Military Pageant in the Streets

    THE IRISH REGIMENTS CHEERED

    The much-discussed military demonstration in celebration of Peace took place to-day in Dublin, and was witnessed by huge crowds who lined the streets in the vicinity of College Green. The chief centre of attraction was College Green, where a platoon was erected outside the Bank of Ireland, and was occupied Viscount French, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and other members of the Irish Government.

    It is estimated that 15,000 troops and about 5,000 demobilised soldiers (all Irish) took part in the “Victory Parade.” The remnants of the Irish regiments were heartily greeted by the assembled crowds. Irish music by many bands was a feature of the proceeding.’

    Images from Freemans Journal 21 July, 1919 and Irish Life, 25 July 1919.

    The papers noted the excitement in Dublin as people travelled to the city the previous day and took up roof top positions early that morning; crowds even trampled each other around O’Connell Bridge when they leaned the parade was not coming their way. A detachment of Irish Guards had been sent from London and it was their pipe band who took a pride of place. Amongst the guardsmen was a blinded comrade. Some of the units taken part included: the Royal Irish Regiment, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the Connaught Rangers, the Royal Munster Fusiliers, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Leinster Regiment also marched. Naturally the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which were estimated at a 1,000, were greeted with cheer after cheer. For those wounded who couldn’t march a viewing stand was erected. The bands played a variety of Irish music; St. Patrick’s Day and the Wearing of the Green most noted.

     The Irish Times noted: ‘Outside of London the whole kingdom saw no more heart-stirring celebration of the day than in Dublin. Our city’s Victory March furnished a noble answer to those who say that Ireland did not give her best to the cause of freedom.’

    Around the country other smaller parades took place in Athlone, Belfast, Cork, and Limerick, just to name a few.

    Not everyone was happy with the parades. Black flags were hung out in several areas to note those who had been killed. Between 3,000 and 5,000 nationalist veterans under Sir Henry Grattan Bellew boycotted the parade as they felt betrayed after fighting for the liberation of smaller nations and Ireland was still without Home Rule. Republicans too were not impressed and in places sneered at the troops and painted slogans such as ‘You fought for freedom where is it!’

    Victory Parade, Dublin photographed by Joseph Cashman, shows troops marching past College Green from the roof of Trinity College Dublin. The Cashman Collection is held at RTÉ Archives. Images: Courtesy of RTÉ Archives.