=========================================

This article is about the class of US cargo ship. For ships named "Liberty",

 

WAR Ships; Emergency Shipbuilding Program. Although British in concept,[3] the design was adopted by the United States for its simple, low-cost construction. Mass-produced on an unprecedented scale, the Liberty ship came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output.[4]

 

 

 

The class was developed to meet British orders for transports to replace ships that had been lost. Eighteen American shipyards built 2,710 Liberty ships between 1941 and 1945 (an average of three ships every two days),[5] easily the largest number of ships ever produced to a single design.

 

 

 

Their production mirrored (albeit on a much larger scale) the manufacture of "Hog Islander" and similar standardized ship types during World War I. The immensity of the effort, the number of ships built, the role of female workers in their construction, and the survival of some far longer than their original five-year design life combine to make them the subject of much continued interest.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_ship

 

 

 

=================================

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, in 1933 there were 4,108 Jews living in Dortmund, which had a total population of 540,000. The city, in Germany’s Ruhr region, was known for its coal and steel industry and was heavily bombed during World War II. Today’s Jewish community in Dortmund numbers about 2,600, according to the latest statistics from the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

 

 

 

Hirsch was born in 1868, and he studied medicine and economics before launching his political career with the Social Democratic Party in Berlin. He climbed the ladder, serving as prime minister of the state of Prussia (an area now in Poland and Russia) from 1918-1920. Hirsch became known as the political architect of “Greater Berlin,” a conglomeration of the city’s many districts that formalized city boundaries. He was later wooed to do the same in Dortmund, achieving what was reportedly the second largest municipal regional transformation in Germany since Berlin.

 

https://www.jta.org/2023/12/28/global/dortmunds-only-jewish-mayor-died-in-poverty-after-a-successful-career-the-city-is-reviving-his-story?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_Sunday_Features&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-66600-35794

 

 

 

Library

 

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/dortmund

 

==============================

The Jewish family moved to Prague when Geoffrey was a child, and became Czechoslovakian citizens in 1930, when support for the Nazi Party in Germany was growing as unemployment rose to over two million. Like thousands of other Jews, the family fled Prague following the annexation of Czechoslovakia and arrived in the UK in 1939. All four became British subjects after the Second World War and remained in the UK for the rest of their lives.

 

A completed form/card for refugees arriving in the UK written in pen. Dated to 7 October 1947.

 

British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia card for Geoffrey Elton, records his arrival in UK on 14 February 1939 to his naturalisation as a British subject on 17 October 1947. Catalogue reference: HO 294/557/6087B

 

 

 

Not all of the refugees settled in the UK after the war. Some were repatriated to Czechoslovakia and others left the UK to other destinations, such as the newly created Israel.

 

 

 

Geoffrey’s naturalisation file, HO 405/12269, reveals that he arrived as a student at Rydal School, Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire. After leaving school, he enlisted in the British Army and became a sergeant at 31 Field Security Section, in the Intelligence Corps, serving in Italy.

 

https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records-of-czechoslovakian-refugees-to-the-uk-from-1939-to-1975/

 

========================================

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli Govt. update on IDF soldiers killed, more hostages dead | LiveNOW from FOX

 

https://youtu.be/kx0_wqwnl1I?si=TVpLsucP_75bxxmQ

 

 

 

======================

 

Reflect

 

OUR Lady of Walsingham

 

At the end of the fourteenth century, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Arundel, wrote of the Blessed Virgin that “we English, being ... her own Dowry, as we are commonly called, ought to surpass others in the fervour of our praises and devotions.” In the early 15th century, the title Dos Mariae (Mary’s Dowry) was being applied to England in Latin texts and, on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, English priests prayed for the intercession of “the Virgin, protrectress of her dower.”

 

 

 

All was well until the monster, Henry VIII, destroyed the shrine in 1538, publicly burning the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham that so many generations had come to venerate. The distress that this caused the people of England was expressed in an anonymous poem, “The Ballad of Walsingham,” which depicts the ruins of the shrine several decades after its destruction:

 

 

 

    Bitter, bitter oh to behold

 

    The grass to grow

 

    Where the walls of Walsingham

 

    So stately did show.

 

 

 

    Such were the worth of Walsingham

 

    While she did stand,

 

    Such are the wrackes as now do show

 

    Of that so holy land.

 

 

 

    Level, level with the ground

 

    The Towers do lie

 

    Which with their golden, glitt’ring tops

 

    Pierced out to the sky.

 

 

 

    Where were gates no gates are now,

 

    The ways unknown,

 

    Where the press of friars did pass

 

    While far her fame was known.

 

 

 

    Owls do scrike where the sweetest hymns

 

    Lately were sung,

 

    Toads and serpents hold their dens

 

    Where the palmers did throng.

 

 

 

    Weep, weep, O Walsingham,

 

    Whose days are nights,

 

    Blessings turned to blasphemies,

 

    Holy deeds to dispites.

 

 

 

    Sin is where our Lady sat,

 

    Heaven turned to hell;

 

    Satan sits where our Lord did sway,

 

    Walsingham, oh, farewell!

 

 

 

This plaintive cry was taken up by a later English saint, John Henry Newman, in his poem about England’s “Pilgrim Queen”:

 

 

 

    “Here I sit desolate,”

 

    sweetly said she,

 

 

 

    “Though I’m a queen,

 

    and my name is Marie:

 

 

 

    Robbers have rifled

 

    my garden and store,

 

 

 

    Foes they have stolen

 

    my heir from my bower.

 

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/joseph-pearce-her-immaculate-majesty?utm_campaign=NCR&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=286532336&utm_content=286532336&utm_source=hs_email

 

=============================

 

Reflect

 

 

 

Action Lesotho is an Irish NGO whose aim is to bring much needed humanitarian and development aid from Ireland to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Our work is carried out in the spirit of service to others, by which we mean that all the work in Ireland, from board members to our committed volunteers, is carried out without payment or any financial reward. Nobody in Ireland draws a wage. This ensures the vast majority of your donations go to our projects on the ground in Lesotho and towards supporting our fully Basotho staff there.

 

https://www.actionlesotho.ie/

 

-------------------------------------

 

Forgiveness the Light of Life

 

Forgiveness isn’t easy, it’s a struggle. It is sometimes said, ‘I can forgive, but I

 

cannot forget.’ But that can be another way of saying, ‘I am really struggling to

 

forgive and let go.’ The gift of forgiveness heals our memory so that we can of

 

course remember the event or incident, or the word spoken, but the wounded

 

memory is healed, it is no longer raw or painful. Healing takes time, there is no

 

quick fix. But with the help of God, we can take the first steps on the pathway to

 

forgiveness and full healing of our hurts and wounds.

 

When we take hold of how much God has forgiven us, how lavish his mercy and

 

generous his grace, we in turn can begin to reach out and forgive others. Knowing

 

we are forgiven, and having received mercy, fills our heart with gratitude and

 

thanks to God, the Father of mercy. ‘It is the light of life’.

 

Catholics celebrate the ‘Light of Life’ in the sacrament of Confession. In the

 

sacrament we experience at first hand, the lavish mercy of God, which in turn will

 

help transform our pain, our hurts, our brokenness. As we make our final

 

preparations for Christmas, we encourage you to open your life to the

 

‘Light of God’s love’, in Confession. It could be a moment of transformation for

 

you, don’t miss the opportunity.

 

We invite you to a celebration of Confession and reconciliation on Monday next,

 

18th December at 7.00pm. Preparation for the celebration of reconciliation will

 

take place during the 7.00pm Mass. A number of priests will be available

 

afterwards for the celebration of the Sacrament. Everyone is welcome.

 

Bambinelli Sunday (Christmas Eve at 12noon)

 

Bambinelli Sunday is an Italian tradition where children and parents bring the

 

figure of the infant Jesus from the family crib to Mass, so that the little figure of

 

the baby Jesus can be blessed and then brought home after Mass and placed in the

 

crib at home. All families in the parish are invited to come to the 12noon Mass

 

next Sunday 24th (Christmas Eve) for this special blessing

 

==================================

Michael Warsaw Publisher's Note

 

November 9, 2023

 

 

 

It has been four weeks since Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel. Now, Israel is engaged in a long and bloody ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, the territory controlled by Hamas. The horror and ugliness of war has been brought regularly to our eyes in recent days, and such images likely will continue for many more weeks, even months, and, with them, growing calls for an immediate cease-fire to halt the Israeli advance.

 

 

 

This is a good time to remember why this brutal war is happening in the first place: because Hamas, a terrorist organization, invaded Israel across internationally recognized borders to murder, rape and kidnap innocent people. No matter what happens in the future, it is vital that we never lose sight of the fact that the current bloodshed was initiated by an act of depravity where Hamas militants killed more Jews than in any single day since the Holocaust.

 

https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/israel-hamas-war-what-is-it-about?utm_campaign=NCR&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=282067703&utm_content=282067703&utm_source=hs_email

 

-

WAR:

 

 

 

by Jessica Easthope

 

 

 

Bob Abate’s Yonkers home is the only place you’ll find a piece of history that’s been lost to time.

 

For the past 25 years Abate has been pressing “record” over and over as the Greatest Generation tells the graphic details of their service.

 

Voices that have screamed out from muddy foxholes, eyes that have seen the horrors of war, faces that have braved the enemy of freedom.

 

Some stories were violent, some were shameful to tell, but if you ask Abate, every story is heroic.

 

“It’s gruesome and people don’t realize what war is like,” Abate said. “To me, there’s no such thing as Memorial Day one day a year, Veterans Day, one day a year, we enjoy their sacrifices every single day.”

 

Abate’s interviews of 200 World War II combat veterans live here and are burned into his memory.

 

“In one way it was almost like going to confession because they could get it out and they wouldn’t have to deal with me ever again,” Abate said. “They are the finest young men this country has ever produced, and so that’s why I feel the obligation to tell the stories. I owe it to them.”

 

Abate, a Navy veteran who never saw combat, started his interviews when he retired.

 

He’s spoken with servicemen and women from every branch of the military.

 

“They went through horrors,” Abate said. “The one thing they all kind of share is survivor’s guilt. It’s a kind of thing they could never shake. They all have varying degrees of PTSD. There’s no way you could not have it.”

 

There are 300 hours of tapes and Abate transcribed them all by hand.

 

“This is more than a hobby,” Abate said. “It’s something that I really treasure and respect.”

 

All 200 of his interview subjects have died. For many of them, Abate is the only person to ever hear their story.

 

The youngest WWII veteran would be about 96 years old today.

 

Not many are willing or able to share their stories, but if there’s one veteran who is, Abate and his tape recorder are ready to go.

 

I'm aware that my information is being collected for marketing purposes. More info

 

If you are human, leave this field blank.

 

donate. Sponsor.

 

 

 

https://netny.tv/episodes/currents/wwii-history-preserved-combat-veterans-interviews-recorded-on-tape/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=282003646&utm_content=282003646&utm_source=hs_email

 

==================================

-----------------------------------------

 

=============================

Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener

 

British field marshal

 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Horatio-Herbert-Kitchener-1st-Earl-Kitchener

 

Boer War

 

In terms of human life, nearly 100,000 lives were lost, including those of more than 20,000 British troops and 14,000 Boer troops. Noncombatant deaths include the more than 26,000 Boer women and children estimated to have died in the concentration camps from malnutrition and disease; the total number of African deaths in the concentration camps was not recorded, but estimates range from 13,000 to 20,000.

 

==========================

The Edmonton University reviewed the $30,000 endowment established in Yaroslav Hunka’s name following following controversy over his recognition in the House of Commons Friday.

 

 

 

The 98-year old Hunka received a standing ovation from members of parliament and visiting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky when he was introduced by Speaker of the House Anthony Rota as a “war hero” who “fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians.”

 

 

 

Hunka served in the SS’ 14th Waffen Grenadier Division during the Second World War, a unit under direct Nazi command.

 

https://tnc.news/2023/09/27/ualberta-hunka-endowment/

 

===================================

The Diabolical Things Apache Did During The Wild West

 

Copernicus’s Galaxy

 

43.3K subscribers

 

1,065,308 views  20 Nov 2022

 

The most famous warrior tribe of the North American natives that went down in history for their great capacity in combat, coming to be called "The tigers of the human species" by American generals continue fighting to this day to preserve their language, beliefs and customs within a society that for the most part, is alien to them.

 

 

 

Capable of standing up to an entire army with only a few dozen men, the Apaches were feared for their cruelty, annihilation, and their assaults on men, women and children, sometimes even taking their scalps as trophies, only to be surpassed by the arms advances of their enemies and forced to live on reservations, never again being able to be free as the wind. 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we will learn who these enigmatic warriors were and we will feel first-hand the heat of battle on the vast plain, Welcome to Copernicus's Galaxy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlLP6BBenuA

 

 

 

=============================

Ellen O'Riordan

Sun Jun 20 2021 - 18:13

 

In the early morning of June 3rd, 1944, Maureen Flavin (21) dispatched a weather report from Blacksod, Co Mayo, that would change the course of the second World War.

 

The barometer at the remote weather station showed pressure was dropping rapidly, indicating a major Atlantic storm was due to arrive and blow right across western Europe. Based on Ms Flavin’s readings, US general Dwight D Eisenhower postponed the D-Day landing by 24 hours.

 

On Saturday, the 98-year-old, now Maureen Flavin Sweeney, was awarded a special US House of Representatives honour for her part in the war. Her role was recognised at a ceremony held at Tí Aire nursing home in Belmullet, Co Mayo, where she now lives.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/us-honour-for-98-year-old-woman-whose-mayo-weather-report-changed-d-day-landing-1.4598678

====================================

============================

HOLOCAUST: In many ways, writes historian Dan Stone, “we have failed unflinchingly to face the terrible reality of the Holocaust”. His remarkable book offers both a narrative overview and an analysis of the events, challenging many common assumptions and often returning to how this terrible history remains “unfinished”.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jan/15/the-holocaust-an-unfinished-history-by-dan-stone-review-a-timely-corrective-to-a-shifting-narrative

=======================

The Heroic Final Moments of Servant of God Gino Pistoni in WWII: “Long Live Christ the King!”

 

    Articles

    Inspiring People

 

by Eleonora Vescovini - Apr 27, 2023

santiebeati.it / ChurchPOP

 

What were the last words of the Servant of God Gino Pistoni during the war? Below is the story of the young Catholic partisan from Ivrea, Italy who died in 1944 at the age of 20 helping an enemy soldier!

 

Gino initially had a very normal life. He studied at the Collegio San Giuseppe in Turin, directed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, where he became an accountant.

 

He enjoyed football, basketball, skiing, and mountaineering. He then came into contact with Catholic Action, whose mission, “Prayer, Action, Sacrifice,” he immediately identified with.

 

Gino later became an animator of youth centers. He was also entrusted with the secretariat of the diocesan center, in close contact with the diocesan assistant and the management team, under whose eyes Gino Pistoni’s incredible closeness to holiness was evident.

 

“I offer my life, I offer myself, what I am, what I have become, and what I am still becoming in God’s loving embrace,” was his favorite prayer.

The last words of the Servant of God Gino Pistons in the war? “Long Live Christ the King!”

 

In 1944, he was called to military service, which soon turned into an evangelization opportunity, as he managed to involve the dormitory in the recitation of the rosary every evening.

 

A short time later, he decided to go to the mountains with the partisans, but without taking his rifle.

 

On July 25, 1944, during an attack by the German SS on the Trovinasse mountains, while all his armed comrades fled, he remained defenseless to help a wounded enemy soldier.

 

There, he was hit by a mortar shrapnel that severed his femoral artery. He died alone and bled to death, but he had time to write with blood-soaked fingers on the cloth of the haversack: “I offer my life for Catholic Action and for Italy, Long Live Christ the King.”

 

Next to his body was found, stained with blood, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

https://www.churchpop.com/2023/04/27/the-heroic-final-moments-of-servant-of-god-gino-pistoni-in-wwii-long-live-christ-the-king/?utm_campaign=ChurchPop&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=256312595&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--oF-JqmqXjtZQDeo-2enOHSfrfvzIi4Ttir9fL8DqBueaf_LKZOAF6OQi2fnuRrJt3oWQMds6eG_DD-i2chfvGQFvVOA&utm_content=256312595&utm_source=hs_email

================----------------------------------

 

===================================

 

Ellen Houlihan

Ellen Houlihan, is Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG). Ellen is the first West Point woman graduate to be elected to a senior leadership role of the 50,000 West Point graduate members. Her service includes leadership of the overhaul of WPAOG Bylaws and governance model, unchanged since the Civil War. The overhaul provides efficient and effective operational transparency of the Board of Directors and management staff. She has led the largest and most diverse committee of the Board of Directors charged with membership, graduate awards, diversity and inclusion, and 130 alumni clubs around the world. In her role as Vice-Chair, Ellen leads the effort to identify and recruit for the skills needed for WPAOG’s continued growth and relevance to West Point and the nation. Ellen was also the first woman West Point graduate elected President of her West Point class and first woman president of a local alumni club. From the day of its founding on March 16, 1802, West Point has grown in size and stature, yet remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America's Army. Today, the Academy graduates more than 900 new officers annually, which represents approximately 25 percent of the new lieutenants required by the Army each year. The student body, or Corps of Cadets, numbers 4,200, of whom approximately 15 percent are women.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/women-veteran-leaders/ellen-houlihan

----------------------------

By Courtney Mares

 

Rome Newsroom, Apr 7, 2023 / 14:05 pm

 

The meditations and prayers for the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday this year come from the testimonies of victims of violence whom Pope Francis encountered during his international apostolic journeys over the past ten years.

 

Officials in the Roman Curia compiled testimonies from Ukraine, Russia, the Holy Land, Central Africa, the Middle East, South America, and other parts of the world to go with the 14 Stations of the Cross, titled “Voices of Peace in a World at War.”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254050/here-are-the-meditations-for-the-way-of-the-cross-at-the-colosseum-on-good-friday-2023?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=253540241&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9TfbAZOR04gAr4u4UjRCjXg4nah_XP6ll2IyaBQ7HwZ1o_cPY4Q2Le_cQgfHFYEHPigzU2L4gNFeDttQH3RiDes_s5bA&utm_content=253540241&utm_source=hs_email

=================================

(JTA) — Bulgaria’s president was on hand on Friday for a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the country’s dramatic decision to save its 48,000 Jews from the Nazis.

 

So were representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox church whose predecessors instigated the rescue, as well as a prominent Bulgarian-born Israeli historian and politician, Michael Bar Zohar, who published an early history of the episode, which was barely known until after the fall of communism.

 

Together they marched from Bulgaria’s national library — where an exhibition about Bulgaria’s World War II-era king, Tsar Boris III, is being held — to Sofia’s oldest church, where they lay flowers on a memorial to Boris and his wife, Tsarina Joanna.

https://www.jta.org/2023/03/15/global/bulgarian-jews-skipped-an-official-ceremony-marking-80-years-since-their-rescue-from-the-nazis-why?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_DB&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-55198-35794

-------------------------------------------

===================================

Here is the story from Mike Mc Grath in last week’s Corkman.

Seán O’Brien

 

One hundred years ago this week Charleville man Seán O’Brien was murdered by Crown forces at his hardware shop at Main Street Charleville in a reprisal attack. Here local historian and genealogist Evelyn O’Keeffe, who is chair of Charleville Heritage Society, researched the details and recalls the terrible event, and its aftermath.

 

‘Terrible Fate of Well-known Charleville Shopkeeper’ was the headline 100 years ago this week when Sean O’Brien, a hardware merchant was murdered.

 

Sean died from his wounds as his wife and young daughter bore witness to his terrible end.

 

‘At 8.30pm there was a knock on the door. The Tans came into the town looking for blood that night, a Volunteer attack earlier that day on an RIC patrol in Charleville had maddened the Tans.

 

‘They went to the home of Seán O’Brien. The Tans knocked at his door, and Seán, without opening the door, enquired what they wanted, and the Tans’ reply was to fire several volleys through the door and they also threw some grenades through the fanlight. It was an extremely brutal murder, for his body was ripped asunder. He died seven and a half hours later.

 

‘Seán was president of the local Gaelic League and was a committed Irish-Irelander. He was elected in June 1920 to the Urban District Council on the Sinn Féin ticket and was the unanimous choice for chairman.

Funeral of Seán O’Brien

 

O’Brien’s funeral prompted an ugly scene. During his funeral procession on 4th March 1921 ‘two military officers approached the clergy, who were in front, and asked them were they not aware of the fact that the Republican flag which covered the coffin was not permitted in accordance with official regulations. One of the priests pointed out that the ensign was wrapped around the remains and secured to the lid, and that the coffin should be opened if they insisted on having the flag removed. After some controversy the military officers decided not to interfere further’.

 

‘Seán took an active interest in all aspects of life in Charleville and the turnout at his funeral was huge, being a member of the Kilmallock Board of Guardians, Cork County Committee of Agriculture, and was always ready to volunteer his services to resolve labour disputes. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of all classes in the town, including those who did not coincide with his political views.’

 

May he rest in peace.

https://listowelconnection.com/

March 2023. Headstone in Listowel Graveyard, inside gate, Eugene Sullivan also on Headstone.

 

==========================

Germany; Eighty years ago, on February 18, 1943, Hans Scholl and his sister Sophie were caught distributing anti-Nazi leaflets in Munich University. Five days later they were tried and executed for high treason on Hitler’s direct orders. The Scholls belonged to a group of students who, using the nom de guerre of the White Rose, spoke out against National Socialism and circulated thousands of leaflets telling Germans of their moral duty to resist Hitler and his “atheistic war machine”. They also condemned the persecution of Jews in the year when Hitler began to implement the Final Solution – and were among the few to speak publicly of the Holocaust while it was taking place.

https://www.newmanfriendsinternational.org/en/how-newman-inspired-the-white-rose-resistance-in-nazi-germany/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=catholic_news_pope_s_angelus_for_third_sunday_of_lent_the_lord_promises_us_the_living_water_of_eternal_life&utm_term=2023-03-12

 

===============================

The Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice

rce-rich societies.

 

The Foundation provides a space for facilitating action on climate justice to empower the poorest people and countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable and people-centred development.

https://www.mrfcj.org/

 

------------------------------------

A love story that threatened the Commonwealth: Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams

https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a-love-story-that-threatened-the-commonwealth-seretse-khama-and-ruth-williams/?utm_source=emailmarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_mailer_2_march_23&utm_content=2023-03-02

-------------------

In the aftermath of the failed 1916 Easter Rising, public opinion underwent an extraordinary shift away from the union with Britain and towards the notion of an Irish Republic. Irish people were outraged by the reports of executions of rebel leaders and imprisonment of hundreds of nationalists.

 

The British government’s threat to introduce conscription in 1918 further inflamed opinion, and loyalty to the Empire was soon to become a thing of the past. The election of 73 Sinn Fein MPs, representing republicanism, to the Westminster parliament, meant democratic legitimacy for some form of self-rule.

https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-irish-war-of-independence-1919-21/

 

A centre for thought leadership, education and advocacy on the struggle to secure global justice for

those people vulnerable to the impacts of climate change who are usually forgotten – the poor, the disempowered and the marginalised across the world.

 

It is a platform for solidarity, partnership and shared engagement for all who care about global just

ice, whether as individuals and communities suffering injustice or as advocates for fairness in resou

 

==================

=================================

Elsewhere, in 2019, the Post’s Juliette Kayyem described “stochastic terrorism” as “the demonization of groups through mass media and other propaganda that can result in a violent act because listeners interpret it as promoting targeted violence — terrorism.” In the New York Times last year, Max Fisher cast “stochastic terrorism” as “violence committed by an attacker who, though acting on personal volition, is inspired by language demonizing the target.” Dictionary.com, meanwhile, explains that “stochastic terrorism” is “the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/02/the-stochastic-terrorism-double-standard/?utm_source=recirc-&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=native-latest&utm_term=second

============================

Deborah Veach is part of a now-aging cohort of children born or raised in the DP camps, the last with a first-hand connection to the experience of some 250,000 Jewish survivors who passed through them at the end of the war. To make sure memories of the camps survive them, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and the United Nations Department of Global Communications have staged a short-term exhibit, “After the End of the World: Displaced Persons and Displaced Persons Camps.”

https://www.jta.org/2023/01/10/ny/u-n-exhibit-remembers-when-the-world-turned-its-back-on-stateless-jewish-refugees?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_DB&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-52669-35794

 

--------------------------------------------

PRAYER FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE AND

EUROPE DURING CHRISTMAS TIME

God of peace,

We pray for the people of Ukraine,

for all who are caught up in violence and war,

for all those suffering and afraid,

that you will protect them and strengthen them.

We pray for world leaders,

for wisdom, integrity and compassion,

that you will guide their feet in the way of justice

and reconciliation.

We pray for church leaders,

for discernment, determination and courage,

that they may speak words of truth and

righteousness.

We pray for the people of Russia,

for all those who plead for an end to violence and

conflict, for all those who are persecuted for

speaking against aggression,

that you will console, support and guard them.

We ask for comfort for those who mourn,

hope for those who despair,

forgiveness for those who commit

violence, and mercy for all who suffer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Prince

of Peace. Amen.

Issued by The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of

the European Union (COMECE). December 2022

 

========================

 

 

 

Jonah McKeown

 

By Jonah McKeown

 

St. Louis, Mo., Dec 25, 2022 / 10:00 am

 

The experience of fighting in “The Great War,” World War I, was marked by brutality and misery on a scale never before seen. The grisly realities of trench warfare had already, in just five months, claimed a million lives by the time Christmas came along in 1914, and on the orders of their superiors, young men from both sides routinely gunned or gassed one another into oblivion.

 

But in the midst of such a hellish time in human history, there was a glimmer of light: the “Christmas truce” of 1914.

 

You may have read the story, or seen it dramatized on the big screen or even in a TV commercial. On a chilly Christmas morning, soldiers from both sides of the trenches clambered over the barbed wire, arms raised, and shook hands. Gifts were exchanged, and soccer balls flew instead of bullets.

 

But did such a storybook Christmas Day ever actually happen, or is the Christmas truce merely the stuff of legend? The answer, you may be surprised to learn, is that yes, it really did happen. But perhaps not on the scale you might imagine.

 

For one thing, the Christmas truce was not observed universally across the Western Front. According to the Imperial War Museum, the nature of trench warfare in 1914 was that each sector was quite distinct; if one sector of trenches was observing a truce, or vice versa, neighboring sectors may not have had a clue.

 

So although a truce was indeed observed in many sectors along the front in Belgium and France on Christmas Day 1914, this wasn’t true across the entire front line. Some soldiers — understandably — felt no desire to socialize with the enemy. In a few places, soldiers were ordered to fire on their unarmed counterparts.

 

But in other sectors, the young men who had days before been firing upon each other found that their enemy was surprisingly relatable. According to one account, the men on both sides of the trenches began singing carols on Christmas Eve — their hoarse voices, singing in their respective native tongues, carrying over the pockmarked ground. Then, according to the witness, a German soldier shouted across the 30-yard expanse: “Tomorrow, you no shoot, we no shoot.”

 

The next morning, after crossing into no man’s land, the young soldiers began exchanging chocolate, alcohol, and cigarettes. A soccer ball was produced, which led to a hearty, informal “kickabout.” After hours of socializing and enjoying each other’s company — and also burying and paying respects to their dead — the men from both sides returned to their trenches, unharmed.

 

The Christmas truce didn’t come out of nowhere. The pope at the time, Benedict XV, had often decried the aggression and bloodshed of the war and had most recently called for peace in a letter a few weeks before Christmas 1914. (He also reportedly asked, in explicit terms, for a Christmas truce, though the primary source for this request proved difficult to find.) Though ignored by the leaders of the armies — and perhaps unknown to many of the soldiers — by divine providence, the truce for which Benedict pleaded ultimately came to pass.

Credit: Harold Robson / Imperial War Museums

Credit: Harold Robson / Imperial War Museums

 

Photography was discouraged in the trenches, but many photos were taken anyway, especially during the truce. Thanks to those photos and the written accounts of the soldiers in their letters and diaries, newspapers the world over began to publish accounts of the truce at the end of December 1914, adding to the event’s authenticity.

 

Though imprinted on the memories of the men who took part in it, it is difficult to say whether the truce did anything to change the course of the war. Moreover, truces in general became much more rare after 1914, after strict orders from high commanders on both sides warning against future truces. Fraternizing with the enemy was incredibly risky, and commanders cracked down on it, amid aggressive propaganda campaigns on both sides to dehumanize — and instill hatred for — the enemy.

 

The orders may have been moot, though, because the war itself began to change — while certainly brutal before, conditions and tactics became even more cruel as the war went on, especially on the German side, with new and deadly methods such as gas and tank warfare starting to be employed. German submarine activity led to the sinking of ships like the Lusitania, with massive civilian casualties. On the whole, the temptation to empathize with the enemy faded away in the trenches.

 

Partly as a result of this, the Christmas truce, despite being well-documented, took on a mythic character. It certainly happened — but nothing as widespread ever came close to happening again.

 

The “Great War,” of course, came to an end a few years later, in November 1918. But strife, conflict, and sectarian violence continues today. Constant calls for ceasefires continue in places like Ukraine, with Pope Francis often a leading voice.

 

The hope that this episode from history instills — the hope that on the day that the Prince of Peace was born, peace could reign on earth — is irresistible. Perhaps, this year, we might see something like the Christmas truce happen once again.

 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253142/the-christmas-truce-of-1914-here-s-what-really-happened?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=239400200&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8swIughKzXJeOl1rsazSHgjS6HETBQGQNF_4gTKReDF9VXzNuC8Of_nI3fRfHtfpQE5cOuyrSk77Dyui7DqhWrcRcTGg&utm_content=239400200&utm_source=hs_email

 

 ======================================

Joseph Pronechen Blogs

November 5, 2022

Wars. Rumors of wars. Crime rising. Catholic churches desecrated. Society showing big cracks. Morality being abandoned. Threat of nuclear weapons.

 

No wonder people are increasingly asking about the End Times.

Fear not. Father Chris Alar of the Marian Fathers at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, and host of EWTN’s Living Divine Mercy series, just began a very timely three-part look at the End Times.

 

 The Traditional Signs to Precede Christ’s Triumphant Return

Father Alar and theologian Daniel O’Connor began the series with an overview of the five signs that must happen before the Christ’s Second Coming:

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/living-divine-mercy-end-times-series?utm_campaign=NCR&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=232746159&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8adeGypp1XTaGWyKS9mhQwOvl1-Nnd2uq6zaSWIG3oSnWkaXzv69gkdTefkEWL2Cx7jncg_ThzdeBxo30VanzyPryGBA&utm_content=232746159&utm_source=hs_email

 

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Faction fighting in Ballybunion

 

Did you know that the shillelagh, or Irish blackthorn walking stick, was actually a murderous weapon used in highly structured, regularly scheduled fights (called faction fights) between families, gangs, communities, and tribes, in which people – both men and women – fought to the death? Faction fighting was a phenomenon unique to 19th century Ireland. Factions were armies of country people, numbering hundreds or even thousands, armed with shillelaghs, stones, and, occasionally, with swords and guns. Their battle grounds were fair greens, market places, race courses and frequently streets of towns and villages. Many people were killed and scores wounded in the most famous encounters.

 

One of the most memorable faction fights took place on June 24, 1834, at Ballyeigh Strand, near Ballybunion, on the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. This Holy Day traditionally served to commemorate the occurrence of the longest day of the year. Over 3,000 people, including the Coolens, Lawlors, Blacks and Mulvihills, went up against each other, and when the skirmish was over, 200 lay dead.

 

Anything could set off a faction fight; conflicts over non-payment of dowries, fights over succession to property, long-standing grudges or simple pushing and shoving at a previous fair.

 

Faction fighting was first reported in 1805 in County Tipperary. Coincidentally, the last recorded faction fight was also in County Tipperary, in a place called Cappawhite, in 1887.

https://www.ballybunion.ie/history-and-folklore/bloody-battle-on-ballyeigh-strand.html

 

===========================

 

=================================

Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves Villa La Grange after meeting with Joe Biden | AFP

 

133,988 views • Jun 16, 2021 • Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves Villa La Grange in Geneva after his meeting with US counterpart Joe Biden. The two leaders wrapped up their first summit after around three-and-a-half hours of meetings and are set to hold separate news conferences.

 

BREAKING: Biden - 'Putin doesn't want a new cold war'

 

1,520 views • Jun 16, 2021 • Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin have met in Geneva, with Mr Biden saying Russia did not want 'a new cold war'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfq4deWb8kc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcC_kbgO1QE

 

=============================

As of 2020, there were 9,000 Jews living in Iran. It’s a far cry from a pre-revolution peak Jewish population of around 100,000, but the country is still home to the Middle East’s second-largest Jewish population after Israel. Some of Sarbakhshian’s pictures almost look like they could have been taken in an American suburb: kids playing soccer, people having a picnic in the park, family members running around slapping each other with scallions.

https://www.jta.org/2022/08/31/culture/he-captured-rare-images-of-jewish-life-in-iran-then-he-fled-fearing-for-his-safety?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_Around_the_World&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-47707-35794

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============================

Brett & Kate McKay • August 14, 2022

 

Today marks the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II.

 

It’s a milestone that feels both distant in time, and not that long ago.

 

There are still those living among us who experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Normandy, and the celebration of V-J Day firsthand.

 

But each year, they grow fewer and fewer in number.

 

Veterans of the war have disappeared from our patriotic parades and family reunions, and soon will vanish from all the earth.

 

Though older generations knew members of the “Greatest Generation” as parents and grandparents, the rising generations will know them only through history books.

 

This shift represents a loss not only in the treasury of personal experience, but in the atmosphere of collective culture.

 

The WWII generation was the greatest not because of any inborn superiority, but because they were confronted with a crisis that required courage, sacrifice, and unity to surmount. The war clarified perspective, refining away a preoccupation with the self and with petty grievances. As Marine Corporal Eugene Sledge once wrote, “It was the kind of experience that would make a man sincerely grateful for the rest of his life for clean, dry socks.”

 

The aftereffects of this collective test and victory strengthened society’s moral muscle, embedding a centering, confidence-imparting leaven to the cultural ether that we’ve been coasting on ever since.

 

But the tank’s almost empty. After three-quarters of a century of desirable-but-undemanding peace, our society’s can-do mojo seems to have all but sputtered out.

 

Given that no one wants to fuel up with another war, the present age finds itself with a challenge of its own: summoning the will to character when faced with a crisis that hits not with the acute, deeply existential weight of the Big One, but the endless, shallow-yet-weakening force of a thousand paper cuts.

 

https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/manly-lessons/sunday-firesides-running-on-fumes/?mc_cid=cec6b02e77&mc_eid=8bc7642aac

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Pray for this bishop!

 

The Nicaraguan government placed Matagalpa Bishop Rolando José Álvarez on house arrest this week after they accused him of “organizing violent groups.” They allege he attempted to “destabilize the government” of Nicaragua.

 

The bishop openly criticizes Nicaragua’s Sandinista regime’s human rights violations.

 

The Nicaraguan police force issued an Aug. 5 press release alleging Bishop Álvarez “used the media and social networks” in an attempt to “organize violent groups, inciting them to carry out acts of hatred against the population, causing an atmosphere of anxiety and disorder, altering the peace and harmony in the community.”

 

The government said he will remain on house arrest while the investigation proceeds. Six priests and six laypeople are also detained. Authorities also ordered the closing of eight diocesan Catholic radio stations.

 

The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), the European Union, and the U.S. State Department all deemed these actions persecution.

https://www.churchpop.com/2022/08/08/nicaraguan-bishop-on-house-arrest-confronts-police-with-eucharist-in-street-procession-video/?utm_campaign=ChurchPop&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=222233291&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--OfSZvgcJy1OQSCjxCZnYJHnXOlshIIQzlpEPXowP8OnTu87C0ea6K_g2ndRcPrgMP9tb9oBFcdI4V9jCmY9nmf5_hDQ&utm_content=222233291&utm_source=hs_email

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=750535709492951

 

============================

 

Subject: Could Sam Maguire have been killed in the Bandon Valley Massacre of 1922? ---- The Irish Times, 9 August 2022.

 

History.

Irish academic speculates over west Cork Protestant’s fate if he had been at home in Dunmanway when 10 Protestants were murdered by gunmen

 

Herbert Woods, centre, shot dead IRA man Michael O’Neill, who had broken into his relatives’ home, in April 1922. Woods and two relatives were killed in revenge, and 10 more local Protestants were also shot dead.

Barry Roche

Tuesday, August 9 2022.

 

A leading Irish academic has speculated what would have happened to west Cork Protestant and leading GAA figure Sam Maguire if he had been at home in Dunmanway in April 1922 when ten of his Protestant neighbours were murdered by unidentified gunmen.

 

Events began on April 26th, 1922, when anti-Treaty IRA man Michael O’Neill, was shot dead in the home of Thomas Hornibrook in Bandon. O’Neill had led a party to seize Hornibrook’s car.

 

Later a mob returned to the house, kidnapped Hornibrook, his son Samuel and nephew Capt Herbert Woods. Woods, who shot O’Neill dead, was executed on the spot. Father and son were made dig their own graves. Their home, Ballygroman House, was burned to the ground. Their bodies were never found.

 

Brian M Walker, professor emeritus of Irish Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, told the West Cork History Festival in Skibbereen he believed the killings of the Protestant men in the Bandon Valley were “completely unjustified sectarian murders and should be seen as such”.

 

Prof Walker said it seemed reasonable to believe the killings were in reprisal for the killing of IRA man Michael O’Neill when he was shot at the home of the Hornibrooks in Aherla by Capt Herbert Woods, who was later abducted by the IRA and shot along with James and Samuel Hornibrook.

 

Protestants James Buttimer, David Gray, Francis Fitzmaurice, Robert Howe, John Chinnery, Robert Nagle, Alexander Gerald McKinley, John Buttimer, James Greenfield, and John Bradfield were all shot dead in the Bandon Valley by gunmen between April 26th and April 28th, 1922.

 

 

“Dunmanway was not only the home of these people, it was also the hometown of London-based Sam Maguire, a member of the Church of Ireland and a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who swore Michael Collins into the IRB and in whose honour the GAA have named the Sam Maguire Cup,” Prof Walker said.

 

“Sam Maguire is buried in the graveyard of St Mary’s Church in Dunmanway, as are some of the dead of 1922 — we can only speculate if Sam Maguire had been home at the family farm near Dunmanway on the night of April 27th, 1922, there might be no Sam Maguire Cup today.”

 

Prof Walker said that the Bandon Valley killings should be seen in the context of the time, for while they happened during the Truce, Ireland was a dangerous place with armed men roaming all over the countryside as the Church of Ireland Gazette noted at the time.

 

“A week before these killings, on April 21st, 1922, the Church of Ireland Gazette stated: ‘Just now, Ireland is in the grip of the military habit, the country is full of young men, some in uniform, some in civilian attire, all bearing arms and going through military evolutions. The dangers are very real’.”

 

Prof Walker pointed out that sectarian strife was rife in Belfast where just a month earlier, in March 1922, six members of the Catholic McMahon family were shot dead by Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) men under renegade inspector John Nixon in retaliation for an IRA killing of two USC colleagues.

 

Later that summer, the IRA under future Fianna Fáil politician Frank Aiken killed six Presbyterians at Altnaveigh in Co Armagh in retaliation for the killing of two IRA men by the USC, while in Cork during the War of Independence, IRA leader Tom Barry had spoken about targeting loyalists.

 

“Tom Barry who was involved in the targeting of loyalist homes after the Burning of Cork by Auxiliaries in December 1920, later wrote “our only fear was that as time went on, there would be no more loyalist homes to destroy,” he said.

 

Prof Walker said he did not agree with those who believed at least some of those shot in the Bandon Valley were shot because they had passed information to the British during the War of Independence, and he noted that some Bandon councillors had claimed they had sheltered IRA men.

 

“The first six months of 1922 saw a rise in sectarian and political violence in the North which included the expulsion of many Catholics from their homes in Belfast — these events including the murder of the McMahons, got great coverage in the southern press.

 

“The Cork Examiner reported on “the wild orgy of murder that is disgracing the name of Belfast”, and the Irish Independent reported on the ‘sad plight of Belfast Catholics’ so there was great awareness in the South of what was happening to Catholics in the North.”

 

Prof Walker said although most were agreed that the killing of IRA man Michael O’Neill was the spark that triggered the Bandon Valley killings, it seemed to him that almost everyone at the time saw them in the context of reprisals for what was happening to Catholics in Belfast.

 

These include a local Catholic priest, Canon Hayes, who condemned the killing of Protestants in west Cork, declaring unequivocally, that “if a mad Orangeman murdered a Catholic in Belfast, he saw no reason why an innocent Protestant should be shot in the South in reprisal”.

 

His comments were echoed by the-then Catholic bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr Daniel Coholan, who asked “where would they find themselves, if in the North, Protestant continued murdering members of the Catholic community and in the South, Catholics took reprisals on the Protestant community?”

 

Eamon de Valera condemned the killings when speaking in Longford while Michael Collins, who was TD for west Cork, met a Church of Ireland delegation to assure them the government would ensure that “civil and religious rights” would be protected.

 

One of the strongest condemnations came from republican Erskine Childers in the anti-Treaty newspaper, Poblacht na hEireann, where he said: “nothing more deeply shocked the conscience of Irish nationalism of all sections than the brutal murder of Protestants in Co Cork”.

 

“We do not forget the provocation, the daily slaughter of Catholics in Belfast massacres such as the shooting down of women and children. But nothing, not the most terrible barbarity ever practised, can justify this horrible episode in a county where the bravery and chivalry of Irish men has been so nobly proved during the war.

 

“Sectarian crime is the foulest crime and is regarded as such in the tradition of our people for it violates not only every Christian principle but the very basis of nationality as well.”

 

Prof Walker commended Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Dr Paul Colton for marking the centenary of the killings by visiting the graves of all those who died in the last week of April 1922, including Michael O’Neill and the bog where Woods and the Hornibrooks were buried.

 

He agreed with former Fianna Fáil minister, Martin Mansergh when he recently commented in relation to an attack on a Protestant orphanage in Clifden by republicans during the Civil War that “we don’t have to defend everything in the past from whatever side in the national cause”.

 

“This approach should be taken in the Dunmanway murders, they should be taken for what they were — we owe this to the victims 100 years ago and we also owe to their descendants who had to endure allegations and insinuations about their ancestors in the past,” said Prof Walker.

 

“Hopefully, as we come to the end of the Decade of Centenaries that we will have learned to take a more truthful, a more repentant and a more compassionate approach to the past — it is important as we move to the future,” he said.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

 

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times

=========================

The Sisters of St. Louis established a mission in Dawhan in the Tigray region of Ethiopia in 2013. Home to about 6 million ethnic Tigrayans, the Tigray region is the northernmost region of Ethiopia, with Eritrea to the north and Sudan to the west. We wanted to give particular attention to the empowerment of women and children.

 

I began my work there in 2019, but our missionary team fled during the civil war, and I left the region on Jan. 10, 2022. As of April 8, our sisters were able to go back to their missions, but I have not gone back yet. These are memories I have of my own experiences there.

 

Tension between the Tigray region and the federal government of Ethiopia had been ongoing for some time, with the Tigray People's Liberation Front party (TPLF) resisting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's attempts to take away regional power to unite the country under a stronger centralized government.

 

The TPLF were especially unhappy over the postponement of the October 2020 elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and defied Ahmed's directive and held the scheduled regional elections. This action began the civil war in the Tigray region in November 2020, which has killed thousands of people and internally displaced millions.

 

The declaration of a cease fire between the Ethiopia federal government and the Tigray forces in 2021 brought joy and happiness to me and my community sisters. Relieved and overjoyed, we thanked God and celebrated as the Eritrean military began leaving the district.

 

But then our hopes evaporated — the cease fire was a mirage. Our region had no electricity, food or network service, and people's movements were restricted. Banks had no cash, and foreign aid stopped coming.

 

I don't understand: What were the crimes of the civilians in the Tigray region — especially mothers and children? I am still really disturbed — I feel helpless, confused, stressed, and do not know what to do.

 

It is difficult to know what was going on in the region; it was rumored that the federal military ran away, pushing the prime minister to call for a cease fire, which the Tigray People's Liberation Front rejected, unless certain conditions were met. The TPLF demanded that all the social and basic services that were taken away from the region must be reinstalled and the things stolen should be returned. But the federal government refused, and the cease fire failed.

 

Instead, the government imposed stiffer punishments onto the region. Nobody could leave, and airplane arrivals stopped. Everything came to a virtual standstill. We were at the mercy of God and providence.

 

As a foreigner in the war area, I found everything so confusing. How can civilians be punished in such a cruel way by their own people? The federal government and the TPLF were so drunk with power that they forgot the importance of human life, and were not interested in peace.

https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/social-justice/column/tragedy-hidden-war-ethiopias-tigray-region?utm_source=Global+Sisters+Report&utm_campaign=e8446fad9d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_07_13_09_58&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86a1a9af1b-e8446fad9d-231238552

 

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In the years following World War II, American and European food scientists hoped to feed the world with common pond scum supplemented with plastics.

 

 

 

https://daily.jstor.org/category/science/sustainability/

 

 

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War, crops and inflation: Nothing new Chris Heather

 

After 1750, Britain gradually became a net importer of grain, particularly from 1789. A series of poor harvests combined with an increasing population led to gradual increases in food prices. Britain was also at war with France, which made imports difficult, and by 1792 exporting grain was banned.

 

 

 

One of the repercussions of world events at present is the shortage of grain exports from Ukraine, which is contributing to the general increase in the cost of living in the UK and across Europe. Looking back 200 years, there was a similar shortage of grain in Britain, partially caused by a war, which eventually forced the Home Office to take action. But was its plan of any use?  

 

 

 

Read on to learn one of the unexpected side effects of this crisis, which is still with us today.

 

https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/war-crops-and-inflation-nothing-new/?utm_source=emailmarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20_weekly_mailer_26_may_22&utm_content=2022-05-26

 

 

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County Kerry Search

 

                full transcript - source8  

 

                               

 

                               

 

               

 

Letter from a land agent in Tralee to the British government in Dublin on opinions in Ireland towards the British, 1919

 

(Catalogue ref: PREM 1/231)

 

               

 

                               

 

                               

 

                               

 

               

 

Hussey, Denny & Huggard,          Telephone No 95.

 

Now William Huggard, F.S.I.        Telegraphic Address “Agents Tralee”

 

House & Land Agent.     Estate Office,

 

Chancery Receiver.         Tralee.

 

Chartered Surveyor.       19th March 1919.

 

Commissioner for Oaths.               

 

 

 

Sir,

 

 

 

I beg respectfully to bring to your notice, the fact, that on Saturday last, St Patrick's day, an army of young men, all or nearly all of Military age, most of them wearing Sinn Fein badges, and numbering 320, marched through the Streets of Tralee, headed by two bands, and at one or two points, cheering loudly for "Easter Week" of 1916. I presume you are aware that an extreme Anti-British spirit is growing rapidly amongst the lower and working classes, due in great measure to the belief amongst them, that the Government are afraid to deal with them, and due to the manner in which the Rebels were and are supported and represented in Parliament. As a humble member of the community, I beg to say that the Law-abiding and Loyal subjects, are living in daily fear of an outbreak of some kind, and many are surprised that in a time of War, when the Empire is threatened, an Army of men should be allowed to march "four deep" through the public Streets, and demonstrate their feelings by badges and cheers as they have done, and gathering in recruits for the Sinn Fein or Gaelic League forces, both of which are thoroughly Anti-British; and allow me to say without fear or contradiction from those who know the Country Districts, that the hatred of everything English, which was nourished under the late Regime in Ireland, is becoming more general and more pronounced every day; and I think the humblest member of the Community, as a loyal subject of His Majesty, has a right to expect the Government to deal with that which is a daily menace to the peace and well-being of His Majesty's subjects.

 

 

 

I am,

 

Sir.

 

Your obedient Servant.

 

(Sgd) Wm. Huggard

 

 

 

The Right Hon, The Chief Secretary.

 

The Castle. Dublin.

 

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/empire/transcript/g3cs4s8t.htm

 

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WAR: Ukraine

 

https://www.ft.com/content/e87fdc60-0d5e-4d39-93c6-7cfd22f770e8?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

 

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Vladimir Pozner: How the United States Created Vladimir Putin

 

https://youtu.be/8X7Ng75e5gQ

 

 

 

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The Presbytery, Abbeydorney. (066 7135146)
abbeydorney@dioceseofkerry.ie
3rd of April 2022, 5th Sunday of Lent.
Dear Parishioner,
I know you, like very many people have been hearing the
continuing sad news coming from Ukraine, since the second last week of
February! Having read two articles, reflecting on the attack on Ukraine, I
thought it would be good to take a few sentences from each one.
Chris McDonnell in ‘La Croix International’ in an article with a question at
the end of the title, ‘Was I sleeping while others suffered?’ writes, “The
history of mankind is littered with wars and stories of wars, with conflict
and anguish, loss and grief. Yet, this has to be reconciled with the
Christian expectation of forgiveness and hope. For a Christian, to love
without hope is to live without trust in the Lord. The words inscribed on
the walls of Coventry Cathedral ‘Father Forgive’ echo the words of Jesu
from the cross – ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they
do!’............................. War challenges our faith and shakes our conviction.
Those, who suffer its immediate consequence, need our care and our
prayers to support them in their tribulation, just as we, who ask ‘Why?’,
need patience as we wait for an answer.
Fr. Brendan Hoban’s weekly article in the Western People
newspaper is entitled, ‘We cannot be neutral in this outrageous war’. “It
is not possible to be neutral, when right is on one side and might without
right is on the other side. The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu put it
graphically one time, ‘If you are neutral in situations of justice, you have
chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a
mouse, and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your
neutrality. A columnist in the London Times, Clare Foges, recently put it
this way: ‘We must recognise the bleeding obvious - you cannot be neutral
in a war as asymmetrical, aggressive and repulsive as this one.’ ............Are
we becoming so inoculated to the sheer awfulness of this war that we are
almost relegating it to the level of a spectator sport? What depths of
trauma will remain for millions of people after Putin’s legacy to posterity
and how can it be dealt with and what images will haunt us in years to
come? (Both articles are taken from the website of the Association of
Catholic Priests. Chris McDonnell is a retired headteacher from England.)
D. O’M.

 

=====================

 

New York NY Irish American Advocate 1916-1918 - 0654.pdf

 

1917

 

 -------------------------------------------

 

The attempt to assassinate the ex-war minister of Russia augurs ill for-the Allies. The ex-minister favoured a vigorous war policy.

 

The Home Rule plan of Lloyd-George is, as usual, based on exclusion of six counties, this time for five years instead of six, as in the previous plan offered by Asquith in 1916.

 

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Catholic News Article

 

‘A European dream shattered is a time of action for all of us’ – Bishop Leahy

 

In his homily for the first Sunday of Lent, Bishop Leahy highlighted the large-scale disruption to the “European dream” caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

 

The Bishop of Limerick said, “When a dream is shattered, there is grief. Europe’s dream has been shattered with the war in the Ukraine. 75 years after the Second World War we had hoped the great dream of a Europe at peace had really taken hold. But that dream has been shattered.

 

“It’s a moment for all of us to take stock. Yes, we must dream and hope and believe in peace, but we also need to recognise peace is the fruit of our unity with one another. And we have to work at that. No relationship can ever be taken for granted.

 

“While watching the war on our social media and TVs, we’re seeing again how the powerful wage war, but the poor lose out. So many ordinary folk are facing questions of life and death. We can’t but feel our stomach churning at the sight of innocent young people on both sides whose lives are tragically cut short. And so many fleeing their native land. The ray of consolation at this time is, of course, the incredible outpouring of small and big gestures of solidarity and generous donations from around the world.”

 

 

 

Bishop Leahy emphasised the importance of prayer during the season of Lent, especially in light of the crisis in Ukraine. He said, “Lent is very much associated with giving and giving is good for us in every way. After all, we are created to give. It reflects what’s truly in our soul. Thankfully, in the face of horror, giving is still flourishing now.

 

“Limerick is a giving city and county and that’s very much reflected in the response to Ukraine. The wonderful response that has seen individuals such as Anna Mazeika, a young Polish woman, step forward courageously to commit to gathering a truck load of medical supplies from generous Limerick people for hospitals in Ukraine. There are many other examples and it keeps that light shining, a light of hope which will ultimately overcome darkness. Just as the Lenten experience.”

 

The commitment to Ukraine in terms of giving and prayer, the senior prelate said, must continue, “But there’s also a spiritual contribution we can make – we can check out our own personal commitment to building relationships that are genuine and true and just. Perhaps there is some relationship that has been damaged in recent times or one that needs a new effort on our part because things have grown stale. Lent is about beginning again. We don’t have to wait for others to be the first to reach out to us. We can take the initiative. The Ukraine crisis is about a breakdown in relationships. Let’s do our part to build good relationships.”

 

ENDS; This content is provided by www.catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. All queries relating to the article should be directed to bdrumm@catholicbishops.ie.

 

https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/catholic-news-article/?ID=3

 

 

 

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Ábhar machnaimh

 

The story of the transfiguration is told each year on this Sunday. This is because in each of the gospels it comes after Jesus has warned His disciples for the first time that He will be rejected in Jerusalem and suffer the ultimate penalty. There are, therefore, two aspects to the story of the transfiguration. One is that it affirms Jesus' identity as the beloved of God despite the shadow of the cross that now hangs over His ministry. The second is that it serves as a reminder to the disciples that their task as they accompany Jesus on the road to Jerusalem is to really listen to Him. This puts our Lenten efforts into the right context as the sole purpose of the season is to bring us to a closer relationship with Jesus and to understand more fully the meaning of His passion, death and resurrection.

 

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War in Ukraine-

 

 

 

By Peg Prendeville

 

 

 

“The Russians are coming, hide under the bed”

 

 

 

How often in youth did I hear people say

 

 

 

And I wondered for sure if all Russians were bad

 

 

 

And I hoped and I prayed that I’d not see the day

 

 

 

When the Russians decided to start a big war

 

 

 

And pile pain on the neighbours who lived right next door

 

 

 

Led by a fanatic who was hungry for power

 

 

 

Bringing their standard of living right down to the floor.

 

 

 

For just as Covid 19 got tired and stepped back

 

 

 

Putin decided to light up the fuse

 

 

 

Despite assurances that it was not his plan

 

 

 

He sent in the troops and all hell broke loose.

 

 

 

But we mustn’t lose hope or cry out in pain

 

 

 

There’s good to be seen all over the earth

 

 

 

And we pray that it spreads deep into Ukraine

 

 

 

So, soon again, they’ll feel safe in their country of birth.

 

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CRIMEA: Ukraine had cut off freshwater supply along a canal that had supplied 85 percent of the peninsula’s needs after the annexation.

 

 

 

Some analysts believe one of the Russian army’s goals in south eastern Ukraine is to establish a “land corridor” linking the two breakaway regions held by pro-Russian rebels with Crimea.

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/why-capturing-ukraine-kherson-important-for-russia?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

 

 

Pope Francis knows his appeals for an end to the war in Ukraine carry little weight with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he also knows he has an obligation to continue speaking out and rallying others to join him in praying for peace.

 

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/news

 

 

 

==============================

 

 

 

CNA Staff World

 

March 3, 2022

 

 

 

The president of Poland’s Catholic bishops’ conference has urged the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to ask President Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine.

 

In a strongly worded letter dated March 2, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki told Patriarch Kirill of Moscow that Putin could “stop the suffering of thousands of people with one word.”

 

 

 

“I ask you, Brother, to appeal to Vladimir Putin to stop the senseless warfare against the Ukrainian people, in which innocent people are being killed and suffering is affecting not only soldiers but civilians as well — especially women and children,” he wrote.

 

https://www.ncregister.com/cna/polish-catholic-archbishop-to-russian-orthodox-leader-please-ask-putin-to-stop-ukraine-war?utm_campaign=NCR&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=205704467&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--cxou90QDbAjbUn0NtI_abyoqek2V14VmxsT3KfcuOkGGi_U-vU29mW9zpowBS72sEoTp9Ao0TY5Tb7jW0U9O5SvgL7w&utm_content=205704467&utm_source=hs_email

 

 

 

 

 

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Msgr. Stuart Swetland Commentaries

 

December 7, 2021

 

 

 

Pearl Harbor Day turns 80 this year. Dec. 7, 1941, was called by President Franklin D. Roosevelt “a date that will live in infamy,” for on that morning, forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked U.S. Navy, Marine and Army forces in and around Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

 

 

 

The results were devastating: Numerous major naval vessels were sunk, more than 300 aircraft were destroyed, submarine pens, airfields and dry docks were rendered unusable, and there were more than 2,400 casualties with more than 1,000 wounded.

 

https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/pearl-harbor-day-at-80-what-lessons-have-we-learned?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=192348782&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Z8ADpe-VbnF4yhTb0b2IzaMYlQjkUXQVSLQ6EbYbQ1d4VArT6G4s3kNcv4pvb3-glnDmray9kIitrtjRgxxs56rJ4gw&utm_content=192348782&utm_source=hs_email

 

 

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The substantial task of destroying the statues in the Bamiyan valley started on March 2, 2001 and took place in stages, over 20 days, using anti-aircraft guns, artillery and anti-tank mines. Eventually, men were lowered down the cliff face to place dynamite into cavities to destroy what was left.

 

 

 

To ensure an international audience and widespread media coverage, 20 journalists were flown to Bamiyan to witness the destruction and confirm that the two Buddhas had been destroyed. Footage of clouds of dust billowing out of the niches, where two giant Buddha statues had stood watch over the Silk Route winding through the Bamiyan valley for millennia, was transmitted all over the world, as the international community watched in horror and dismay.

 

 

 

The Taliban had sought – unsuccessfully – to obtain acceptance of their regime by the international community. The sacrifice of the Buddhas can be interpreted as a symbolic act announcing the end of any conciliatory gestures

 

https://theconversation.com/what-my-20-years-in-afghanistan-taught-me-about-the-taliban-and-how-the-west-consistently-underestimates-them-167927?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

 

 

=========================

 

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Daniel Kilahan

 

 

 

The information about the person below comes from the 'Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 to 1919' database, a service provided by The Naval & Military Press through the www.nmarchive.com web site.

 

www.nmarchive.com is a web site for military historians and family genealogists offering a wealth of information to everyone.

 

The 'Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 to 1919' database comprises of eighty one volumes that were published in 1921 embracing every regiment and corps of the British Army, listing almost 662,000 Soldiers and 41,000 Officers who died during World War One.

 

http://www.nmarchive.com/a-z-database/soldier-listing/KI/soldiers-died-in-the-great-war-1914-1919/354652

 

 

 

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2021

 

Famous lady with a Listowel Connection

 

The World War II Museum in the United States and a US Congressman will deliver a special honour to a Mayo woman whose actions altered the course of World War II. This is the Western People story about Maureen Sweeney who was in all the papers recently because she was awarded huge honour by the U.S. Congress

 

 

 

Maureen Sweeney was 21 years old when she took weather readings at Blacksod weather station in June 1944. Her actions influenced the D-Day landings and changed the path of the war. Her data threw General Dwight D Eisenhower’s meticulously planned invasion strategy into chaos. It forced him to mediate between opposing US and UK weather advisors and generals, and ultimately left him alone to make one of the most difficult decisions in the entire war. Maureen’s readings were the first to point out an impending storm which led to the postponement of the invasion.  Her readings were used to pinpoint a short window of opportunity that Eisenhower needed to launch, thereby altering the course of the war.

 

 

 

When John J Kelly, who led the design and production of the modern landing craft, which has been used in military and humanitarian roles worldwide, heard the story of Maureen Sweeney, he was fascinated.

 

 

 

John approached the World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, of which he was a director, and requested official recognition of Maureen and the Sweeney Family by the museum. The World War II museum has sent a letter to Maureen that John J Kelly will read during the tribute on June 19. John will also read a personal note to Maureen from US Congressman Jack Bergman (Michigan First District) who is the highest-ranking veteran to ever serve in Congress. A distinguished award, rarely given, and obtained by Congressman Bergman will be read and presented to Maureen and the Sweeney family by John.

 

 

 

Now aged 98, Maureen beat Covid-19 last year.

 

 

 

Now the Listowel Connection

 

 

 

Billy MacSweeney told us this story and it appeared in Listowel Connection in 2018

 

 

 

In my Grandparents time, Kerry people understood that they were cut off from the rest of Ireland by a series of mountains; they realized that they were isolated and had to look after themselves. Life was harder in Kerry than in the Golden Vale or on the central plains of Ireland. The mothers of Kerry especially, knew that they had to look to every advantage to help their children and prized education highly to that end. In the mid-19thcentury the people of Listowel welcomed enthusiastically the establishment of St Michael’s College for Boys and the Presentation Convent Secondary schools for Girls, not forgetting the Technical School. The people who read this blog are most likely familiar with the Census’ 1901 and 1911 and will have noticed that many homes in Listowel housed not only Boarders but also welcomed Scholars who came from the villages and isolated farms scattered around North Kerry. These boys and girls spent 5-6 years in the Listowel schools to be educated for ‘life’.

 

 

 

The upshot of this was that from Listowel we sent out many young adults who were a credit to their teachers to take their places in many organizations and many whose names became nationally known for their talents and abilities, especially in the Arts.

 

 

 

Let me tell you about one such young girl, Maureen Flavin, who was born in Knockanure, Co Kerry. When the time came for Maureen to go on from National school she was welcomed into the Mulvihill home in Upper Church Street who themselves had a young girl, Ginny, of the same age. Maureen and Ginny became fast friends and stayed so for life.

 

 

 

When Maureen finished school in 1930 she wanted a job; couldn’t get one in Kerry because of the times that were in it, so she answered an ad in the National Papers for an Assnt. Postmistress in Black Sod, in North Mayo. Her references and qualifications were suitable and in due course, as she says to her own surprise she was offered the job. This was to set Maureen on a course where she would be an integral part of one of the most momentous actions of the age. Mrs Sweeney, the Black Sod Postmistress, was married to Ted who was the Lighthouse Keeper, both operating from the Lighthouse building in Black Sod. They had a son, also Ted, who Maureen fell in love with and married in due course. They in turn had three boys and a girl and life took up a normal rhythm for the family; that is until 3rd June 1944.

 

 

 

The WW2 was in full swing at this stage with Gen. Eisenhower as the Allied Supreme Commander and Gen. Rommel the German Commander in Normandy. Rommel knew that an Allied invasion was prepared and imminent. Conventional Meteorological sources at the time for the US and German military said that the coming days would bring very inclement weather so that the invasion would have to be postponed. Eisenhower postponed the action and Rommel left Normandy for a weekend in Berlin based on the same information. The British Chief Meteorologist had however visited Black Sod some years previously and knew the value of Black Sod as the most westerly station in Europe and when a break in the weather was reported by Black Sod on 3rdJune he persuaded Eisenhower that 6thand 7thJune would be clear and to ignore the same conventional Met advice used by both the US and the Germans. Ted compiled the reports for the Irish Met Office and Maureen transmitted them. Maureen remembers receiving a telephone call a short time later from a lady with a ‘very posh English accent’ asking for confirmation of her report. Ted was called to the phone and he confirmed the readings, The rest, as they say, is history.

 

 

 

Ted Sweeney died in 2001.  Maureen is still alive.

 

 

 

(From Listowel Connection)

 

=======================

 

 

 

The Irish Brigade at The Battle of Antietam

 

         17 September 1862 was the battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg Maryland, USA. The Irish Brigade of the US army, distinguished for valour, were respected even by their enemies-the Confederates. The Irish Brigade served in many engagements and some of the most critical battles, including this one. They were later decimated at Fredericksburg, VA, and also fought at Gettysburg. Opposing Confederate Commander General Robert E. Lee said of them at Fredericksburg: "Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their gallantry on that desperate occasion. Though totally routed, they reaped harvests of glory.” They contributed greatly to a Union victory, which brought about the end of the partition of the United States, and the end of slavery.

 

       The Irish Brigade was composed of Irish immigrants in the big Northern cities of New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Many of them were refugees from The Great Hunger of the 1840's. These men were motivated by gratitude to their adopted nation, and a desire to preserve the Union. The Irish Brigade was the second Brigade of Division 1 of II Corps of The Army of the Potomac of the U.S. Army. The regiments were:

 

69th New York

 

88th New York

 

63rd New York

 

28th Massachusetts

 

116th Pennsylvania

 

      Each regiment had its own flag of green emblazoned with a golden harp and shamrocks beneath a sunburst, as well as the U.S. National flag, the Stars and Stripes. The sunburst is a republican motif signifying the dawning of a new day that appears in many flags from the Fenian era. This is no coincidence.

 

        Many of the soldiers of the Irish Brigade were members of the Fenian Brotherhood, a secret oath-bound society dedicated to establishing an Irish republic by force. It was the American branch of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), both founded in 1852 by exiles from the Young Ireland rebellion of 1848. Many veterans of the Irish Brigade would take part in the Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866 and the Fenian Rising of 1867 in Ireland. Michael O'Brien, who served with the Brigade, was one of the Manchester Martyrs hanged in England, November 1867. Many Irishmen would fight on the opposing confederate side, but in smaller numbers.

 

      The Irish Brigade was commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher, a native of Co. Waterford. He was a leader of the Young Ireland Rebellion in 1848 known as "Meagher of the Sword". It was he who introduced the tricolour Irish flag design, which he had brought back from Paris. He was sentenced to death by the British with several of his comrades for his revolutionary activities. His sentence was commuted to transportation to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). He escaped to New York in 1852 and became a prominent leader in the Irish exile community.

 

      The most famous regiment of the Brigade was the 69th NY. It was commanded by Colonel Michael Corcoran, a native of Co. Sligo. In October of 1860, he was under court-martial for refusing to March the 69th in a parade to honor the visiting Prince of Wales. With the approach of the war, the matter was quietly dropped.

 

     The war itself began in April of 1861. In November 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the U.S. as a candidate from the newly created Republican Party. The party was founded to stop the spread of slavery. Lincoln had stated that he had no intention of interfering with slavery where it already existed, however his election caused a panic among the slaveholding states in the South. They felt the careful balance of power of "free" and "slave" states was moving against them as new states would be added to the Union. They feared that the abolition of slavery would destroy their economy and way of life.

 

         Following the election, several southern states decided to secede or divorce themselves from the Union of the United States. The outgoing U.S. President James Buchanan did nothing to stop them. By the time Lincoln took office in March 1861; South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas formed themselves into a new nation, The Confederate States of America, C.S.A. The war was fought over the U.S. claim of sovereignty against the south's claim of independence.

 

         The southern economy was fueled by cotton and tobacco, labor intensive crops, which were made competitive by slave labor. Cotton in particular was in high demand by British factories. The British were aiding the Confederates with supplies and had massed troops in Canada, threatening to intervene.

 

         The U.S. Navy had blockaded the extensive Confederate coastline to cut them off from being supplied, mainly by the British. A big part of Confederate strategy was to get the British to recognize the Confederacy and intervene on their behalf, in much the same way as France had done in the American Revolution against the British.

 

          The Union had every advantage in manpower, finance and industry. The main advantage the South had was superior leadership, most especially that of commanding General Robert E. Lee. This proved vital as the ineptitude and incompetence of a series of Union commanders squandered their advantages.

 

         In September of 1862, Lee's Confederate Army invaded Maryland, a neutral state, and met the Union Army at the town of Sharpsburg. Their ultimate objective was the Union Capital of Washington D.C., about 70 miles from Sharpsburg. Maryland was a slaveholding state that had not joined the Confederacy, but had many who identified themselves as southerners. Antietam is the name of a creek that runs through the town of Sharpsburg.

 

        On 17 September, 1862, a great battle was fought there in three stages; The Bloody Cornfield, The Bloody Lane, and Burnside's Bridge. The Irish Brigade, lead by General Meagher, charged the sunken road now known as Bloody Lane, a natural rifle pit held by the confederates. The 69th helped turn the tide of battle. Bloody Lane got its name because of the piles of confederate dead there.

 

          Before the battle of Antietam, a Union soldier had discovered a copy of Lee's battle plan accidentally left behind. This informed U.S. Commanding General George McClellan that Lee had divided his outnumbered army. With this knowledge, McClellan could have ended the war that day; yet it would rage another two-and-a-half years. McClellan's hesitation to act cost dearly. He also failed to pursue Lee and press his advantage. He had plenty of reserves in Sharpsburg who were never called in.

 

       For President Lincoln, Antietam was General George McClellan's last straw. McClellan was overly cautious to the point of inaction. Although he always had greater numbers, he constantly asked for reinforcements, usually believing he was outnumbered. Lincoln said he had "the slows". The Confederates literally ran circles around him (this is not an exaggeration). Despite McClellan's enormous popularity with his soldiers, Lincoln relieved "Little Mac" of command. Lincoln would go through a series of commanding Generals, ending with General Ulysses S. Grant; to whom Lee surrendered in April 1865 to end the war.

 

     Antietam is known as the bloodiest day in American history. The day's battles amounted to a stalemate. But, they caused the Confederates to retreat from Maryland, which was neutral ground, back to Virginia, due to their losses. The Union had 12,410 casualties including 2,108 dead. The Confederates had fewer; 10,316 including 1,546 dead, but could much less afford such losses.

 

          President Abraham Lincoln deemed this as close enough to a victory to use the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to the slaves in the states in rebellion as of 1 January 1863. It was very unpopular even in the north, and was unenforceable because it applied to states where his writ no longer ran. Lincoln's purpose was twofold:

 

He was theoretically punishing the rebellious states by devaluing their "property". This would become enforceable later in the war, as southern ground was occupied and slaves were thereby legally liberated;

 

Infusing slavery in the politics of the war was meant to discourage foreign (particularly British) recognition of the Confederacy. The same recognition Lee was hoping to secure with a victory at Antietam.

 

      See below pictures of the monument to the Irish Brigade at Antietam, including a portrait of Meagher. The painting is "Raise The Colors and Follow Me!" By renowned American military artist Mort Künstler, depicting Meagher leading the brigade at Antietam. Also, the regimental flag of the 1st regiment, which was the "Fighting” 69th New York, a compliment paid to them by Confederate General Lee. The Irish inscription means "Who never ran from clash of spears".

 

Kevin Rooney

 

 

 

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In the countryside, the endless killing of civilians turned women against the occupiers who claimed to be helping them.

 

By Anand Gopal

 

(Break)

 

What’s clear is that the U.S. did not attempt to settle such divides and build durable, inclusive institutions; instead, it intervened in a civil war, supporting one side against the other. As a result, like the Soviets, the Americans effectively created two Afghanistans: one mired in endless conflict, the other prosperous and hopeful.

 

(break)

 

In March, 2003, U.S. soldiers visited Sangin’s governor—Dado’s brother—to discuss refurbishing a school and a health clinic. Upon leaving, their convoy came under fire, and Staff Sergeant Jacob Frazier and Sergeant Orlando Morales became the first American combat fatalities in Helmand. U.S. personnel suspected that the culprit was not the Taliban but Dado

 

(Break)

 

A sergeant stated that he “could provide photographs of prior detainees with similar injuries.” Nonetheless, the U.S. continued to support the Ninety-third Division—a violation of the Leahy Law, which bars American personnel from knowingly backing units that commit flagrant human-rights abuses.

 

 

 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/09/13/the-other-afghan-women?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

 

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Bannack Association is with Blake Ball.

 

June 17, 1881 Frontiersman Jim Bridger died: Jim Bridger was one of the most able and influential mountain men. The words on his large headstone summarize his life: “Celebrated as a hunter, trapper, fur trader and guide. Discovered the Great Salt Lake 1824, The South Pass 1827, visited Yellowstone Park and geysers 1830, founded Fort Bridger 1838, opened Overland Route by Bridger's Pass to Great Salt Lake. Was Guide for U.S. exploring expeditions, Albert Sidney Johnston's army in 1857 and G. M Dodge in Union Pacific survey's and Indian campaigns 1853 - 1865.” Later Jim purchased a farm near Westport, Missouri, but soon became ill and blind. Jim was born 17 March 1804. Jim Bridger is buried in the Mount Washington Cemetery in Independence, Missouri. TL

 

 

 

Bannack Association

 

@bannackassociation  · Nonprofit Organization

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/bannackassociation/

 

=================================

 

Ray Kapaun, the priest’s nephew, reflected on the news.

 

 “There’s no words that can explain what the feelings are right now,” he said, according to KWCH News.

 

 “I know there’s been a lot of miracles that have been attributed to him, or are in the investigation of being attributed to him, but I think everyone sees this as a miracle,” Ray said. “Because this is so unexpected. I mean, my family, we never thought we’d see this in our lifetime.”

 

 The priest had been a chaplain during the Second World War and became known for his service in the Korean War with the U.S. Army's Eighth Cavalry regiment. After he was taken prisoner, he served and ministered to other soldiers in a prison camp, where he died May 23, 1951.

 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/medal-of-honor-chaplain-fr-emil-kapauns-body-identified-as-sainthood-inquiry-continues-46493?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=114445078&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-96O-NcWZbRryImTix65f5m8UNX-pY-iue00EcgcVCfmUfxTP8YhdG4cRbLeABbr3x-MYEvyxG3em1hmWceBku02NkWEg&utm_content=114445078&utm_source=hs_email

 

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Ranger Joe's

 

Ranger Joe's remembers our Heroes.

 

SSG TRAVIS W. ATKINS, DELTA COMPANY, 2D BATTALION, 14TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2D BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION. While manning a static observation post on June 1st, 2007 in the town of Abu Samak, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, was notified that four suspicious individuals, walking in two pairs, were crossing an intersection not far from his position. He immediately moved his squad to interdict the individuals. One of the individuals began behaving erratically, prompting him to disembark from his patrol vehicle and approach to conduct a search. Both individuals responded belligerently toward Atkins, who then engaged the individual he had intended to search in hand-to-hand combat. Staff Sergeant Atkins tried to wrestle the insurgent’s arms behind his back. When he noticed the insurgent was reaching for something under his clothes, he immediately wrapped him in a bear hug and threw him to the ground, away from his fellow soldiers. He maintained his hold on the insurgent, placing his body on top of him, further sheltering his patrol. With Staff Sergeant Atkins on top of him, the insurgent detonated a bomb strapped to his body, killing Staff Sergeant Atkins. Staff Sergeant Atkins acted with complete disregard for his own safety. In this critical and selfless act of valor, he saved the lives of the three other soldiers who were with him and gallantly gave his life for his country. Staff Sergeant Atkins' undaunted courage, warrior spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Brigade Combat Team, and the United States Army.

 

=====================

 

By Courtney Mares

 

 

 

Rome Newsroom, Feb 5, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- As the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian war approaches, the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Damascus is appealing for refugees to return home.

 

 

 

“We want our Syrian people to return to Syria,” Archbishop John Jihad Battah of Damascus said in an interview with EWTN.

 

 

 

More than 6.7 million people have fled Syria since the conflict began on March 15, 2011, according to 2018 data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-archbishop-of-damascus-appeals-for-syrians-to-return-home-56171?utm_campaign=CNA%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=109797501&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9UUyW63ntrv_Gpqef9mFQN16Wx6w9FBfhBGlawcbUJQx14pX4Ww5mkp0KXVbseYabhXk2Z0nRM4TWeWLq--_iPbNkZiw&utm_content=109797501&utm_source=hs_email

 

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fKloNuJti9Nhlj7wlEiJMoEyEQHohBzJgfSHekWJCMs/edit

 

 

 

1870 French Sick and Wounded Soldiers

 

 

 

The Franco-Irish Ambulance Brigade (known in French as the Ambulance Irlandais)[1] was a volunteer medical corps sent from Ireland to assist the French Army in the 1870–71 Franco-Prussian War. At the time Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and parliament had passed the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 which, in most circumstances, prohibited British citizens from enlisting in foreign armies. As a non-combatant force the ambulance brigade was not covered by the act. Around 280 men joined the brigade which arrived in France in early October 1870. They served with the French armies of the North and of the Loire until the signing of the armistice in January 1871. The unit was controversial as only a minority of the men who enlisted were retained for ambulance service, with many choosing instead to fight in the French Foreign Legion. The British government investigated the unit for breaches of the 1870 act but no prosecutions were brought.

 

 

 

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Join us in paying our respects to Margaret Kelly, 94, one of the last remaining female Bletchley Park code-breakers, who passed away this week.

 

Margaret was only 18, in 1944, when she was posted to the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, during WWII.

 

She joined a top secret Nazi code-breaking mission and became one of a team of women known as Wrens.

 

The Wrens operated Colossus - the world’s first computer - and toiled around the clock operating the code-cracking devices that helped to shorten the war.

 

The invaluable work deciphering coded messages between Hitler and his high command saved thousands of lives and contributed to the Allies' victory.

 

Margaret died peacefully at her family farm in Wales.

 

Thank you for your service, Margaret.

 

https://www.facebook.com/veteransfoundation/

 

==============================

 

During this trip, I have been deeply troubled by the fact that there are children in this world who wake up in the morning and will not eat that day. There are places in this world that we live in where hunger is normal, where the people almost accept the lack of food as a fact of life.

 

 

 

This is the same world where we as Europeans have experienced beef and milk mountains, where supermarkets and restaurants disgard huge amounts of food every day, where we are overweight, where we carry mobile phones which cost almost an entire year of wages for a trained school teacher in somewhere like South Sudan.

 

 

 

I’m sorry that this turned into a loathsome rant. It wasn’t intended. I’ve been trying to write this post for weeks now. I haven’t quite been able to get my feelings out in any intelligable sense. I haven’t been able to make sense of my unexpected outrage or the fact that I’m so troubled by it now more than ever before.

 

https://soloinsouthsudan.com/2015/08/30/just-twelve-deaths/

 

===========================

====================================

Mesopotamia (Action during WWI)

My Father / U Kyaw Myint

By Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60)

My father had a very chequered life.

Early Life

Short stay at Rangoon College

He stood first in the Matriculation examination at the age of sixteen. He had distinction in all subjects including shorthand and typing. He got scholarship when he entered Rangoon College in June 1914 but was expelled from the College in July 1914.

There was going to be a scholarship exam to enter Calcutta University. The Principal of Rangoon College, Mr. Mathew Hunter had chosen two bright young men to take the exams to enter medical college in Calcutta. The two students for this exam were my father and Sayagyi U Ba Than. They were very close friends.

Just before the exams, my grandmother passed away in upper Burma where my grandfather was working. Father went to the Principal to give him leave to attend his mother’s funeral. But the dates would clash with the exams and Mr Hunter refused his permission. Father was told that if he went without the Principal’s agreement, he would be expelled on return.

My father went in time for the funeral but on return, as told to him earlier he was expelled from the College.

Self Support

My grandfather was very angry with my father being expelled. Father was told not to come back to the family.

Father supported himself by doing a unique job. He traveled from Pegu passing through small towns and villages. At that time, there were many Burmese women who had children by Englishmen, and were common law wives. The Englishmen had left Burma, but they did not money regularly.

On behalf of the women, father wrote letters in English to the men in England. He was offered food, small amounts of money, and a place to stay.

He continued doing this, going up the country till he reached Myitkyina some months later.

Bombay Burma Company

Due to father’s expertise in short hand and typing, a young English man from Bombay Burma Company gave father a job as a clerk and secretary. Father told me about the kindness of the English couple who let him stay with them.

Apart from Secretary work, he had to go with workers to the teak trees that had been cut down and later sent them down the Irrawaddy to Rangoon. Father had to supervise that the Bombay Burma Company seal was hammered deep at the end of the logs. The logs were floated down the Irrawaddy river. Logs with the seal were collected and exported to England.

Illness

A year later father had cerebral malaria and it was the young couple who looked after him during the illness.

Enlistment and Assignments

Father stayed on with the English couple till the end of 1916. By that time the war that was said to last only one year had to gone into its third year with no resolution. There were many casualties and new fronts for the conflict. The English government intensified their recruiting efforts.

The young Englishman and his wife returned to England. The husband joined the army.

Father did not want to continue working in Myitkyina. He also thought of enlisting for the war.

He first went to Pegu to reconcile with his father. Grand father was doing a job what would be equivalent to a District Commissioner (DC) but being Burmese was given the post as Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) but doing the same job.

Burmese doctors were appointed as Sub Assistant Surgeon (SAS). They had to work like surgeons and civil surgeons.

NB: the status of Burmese doctors before Independence can be read in the books by Dr. U Myint Swe.

In spite of my grandfather telling him not to enlist, father went ahead for enlistment.

The place for enlistment was the at the Cantonment (which was Burmanized as “Kan Daw Min” Park). It is the place with a small lake near the Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

At that time, no Burmese would be accepted. One must either be an Anglo-Burman or and Anglo-Indian.

When asked, father gave his name as “John Henry Wilson”. He could be taken for an Anglo because he was very fair with sharp facial features.

Next he was asked to go against the wall to measure his height. Father was only five foot two inches. When the sergeant cane to measure him, he stood up on his toes so that it would be five foot four (the required height for a soldier).

The sergeant asked him whether he really wanted to serve, and getting an affirmative, the sergeant write down on his enlistment as “John Henry Wilson, Anglo-Burman, five foot six”. Father became a soldier.

Note:

Since, the English keeps excellent records, there must be enlistment records for the regiment that above item written down above, would still be there in their archives.

I visited the Middle Temple Inn in London, from where my father was called to the Bar. I wanted know about my father, the Librarian asked me for date of being called, went in, back in about 15 mins and gave me a copy of information of my father as recorded in their archives.Will write more about this in a later post “My father: the Barrister”

 

-------------------------------

The Hiroshima attack killed around 80,000 people instantly and may have caused about 130,000 deaths, mostly civilians. The attack on Nagasaki instantly killed about 40,000, and destroyed a third of the city.

 

https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/ahead-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-bombing-anniversary-usccb-prays-for-peace?utm_campaign=NCR%202019&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=92597305&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_YzWMBMnDBEx2Pw029aUtpYSBtOWXrPPAMARaZ7ziiPtCmt2H9iS-RdQZJ1Q-10GM7KetB0P85Ne7S0HROXwsl3VkYjw&utm_content=92597305&utm_source=hs_email

 

 

War Draft USA

 

https://www.markholan.org/archives/3413

 

 

 

World War I ended with a final spasm of violence befitting a war that had already claimed some 9 million soldiers. In the last few hours, more than 10,000 casualties were recorded on all sides, more than on D-Day in 1944.

 

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2013/11/11/The-dying-continued-into-the-11th-hour-of-WWI/stories/201311110116

 

 

Jack Cussen’s account

 

Over the early morning Action Stations cup of tea in the Sick Bay the Chief Sick Berth P.O. the guests and myself decided “this Scheer buzz was just another piece of nonsense” and when the ‘Secure’ was sounded off at about 5.20 a.m. I left the Sick Bay to go to my cabin and on my way along the deck I thought that Ajax, Achilles and ourselves made quite [a] toy like picture in the still calm dawn for any Commodore to play with, as we each zig zagged over the rippling blue waters and kept perfect stations. Before I turned in I warned the deck sentry to call me at 7 a.m. and at 10-minute intervals afterwards until I surfaced from my cabin, which would be 7.30. It seemed to me that I was no sooner in my bunk than I was awakened by a terrific “rat-ta-tat” on my door, with the sentry shouting excitedly: “Action Stations Sir. Scheer in sight!” I shot out of bed, dressed and was out of my cabin, up the ladder to the boat deck, walking along its starboard side before I quite realized this was myself in the hell of a hurry and still a bit stupefied with sleep. Jack Cussen born Newcastle West and was married to Dorothy McElligott of Listowel, where her daughter lived

 

https://jmvh.org/article/the-battle-of-the-river-plate-excerpts-from-the-diary-of-surgeon-commander-jack-cussen-rn-pmo-of-hms-exeter/

 

Kerryman 1904-current, 12.09.1942, page 1

 

While Lieut. Thos Ryan, the hotel Cashel, and Sergt. J McElligott, Rathea, Listowel were crossing the river near Fermoy Bridge during exercises and manoeuvres, both were drowned, before a big crowd of spectators. Lieut Ryan had four other brothers serving in the Defence Forces and one of them was killed at Gormanstown in plane crash about two years ago. Sergt McElligott leaves a widow and large family to mourn him.

 

Kerryman 11 Oct 1974- Death Mrs Elizabeth Enright of Charles Street Listowel, her brother in law Danny Enright was one of four executed at Dromboe Castle, County Donegal

Joseph Pronechen

 

On Sept. 1, 1983, flying from Anchorage to Seoul, a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 with 269 people on board strayed off its planned route and flew over an island that violated Soviet air space. Quickly, a Russian fighter plane shot down.

 

The outrageous action prompted five Western European countries including Great Britain and Germany to okay accepting United States medium-range missiles beginning in November of that year.

 

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/joseph-pronechen/our-lady-saved-the-world-from-a-nuclear-war

 

This is one of the primary reasons why I started Voyage Comics.

 

I firmly believe that the correct antidote to offensive media is positive media.

 

However, this does not refer to media that is only worried about preaching the Gospel, but media that is as entertaining as it is inspiring. The world will not listen to a message that is delivered in an unattractive manner. No matter how much truth or goodness it holds, if it does not have beauty, then it will fall on deaf ears.

 

https://voyagecomics.com/2019/10/09/tired-of-offensive-media-here-is-john-xxiiis-weapon-in-the-culture-war/

 

 

 

 

All Military results for Newtownsandes

 

https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/39/?keyword=newtownsandes

 

 

 

Results 1-12 of 12

 

RecordsCategories

 

 

 

To get better results, add more information such as First Name, Last Name, Birth Info, Death Info and Location—even a guess will help.

 

 

 

or learn more

 

 

 

    British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920

 

    Pension Records

 

    View Image

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    John Kelly

 

    Birth 

 

    Newtownsandes, Kerry abt year

 

    Residence      

 

    year

 

    UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records, 1760-1920

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    Record information.

 

    Birth 

 

    Newtownsandes,Kerry abt year

 

    British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920

 

    Pension Records

 

    View Image

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    John Kelly

 

    Mother           

 

    given name surname

 

    Birth 

 

    Newtownsandes, Kerry abt year

 

    Residence      

 

    year

 

    UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925

 

    Pension Records

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    John Lynch

 

    Birth 

 

    abt year Newtownsandes, Tarbert, Kerry

 

    Other               

 

    dd mm year

 

    U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    James Patrick Kearney

 

    Relative           

 

    given name surname

 

    Birth 

 

    dd mm year Newtownsandes, Ireland

 

    Residence      

 

    city, Cook, Illinois, USA

 

    Web: Ireland, Military Service Pension Index, 1916-1923

 

    Pension Records

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    Timothy Prenderville

 

    Death               

 

    21 Sep 1926

 

    Military            

 

    27 September 1926 - 17 September 1954

 

    Residence      

 

    Glenalappa, Newtownsandes, Kerry, Ireland

 

    U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    Myles Kearney

 

    Relative           

 

    given name surname

 

    Birth 

 

    dd mm year Newtownsandes Kerry, Ireland

 

    Residence      

 

    year city, Carbon, Wyoming, USA

 

    UK, Military Deserters, 1812-1927

 

    Disciplinary Actions

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    James McMahon

 

    Birth 

 

    year Newtownsandes

 

    Military            

 

    dd mm year location

 

    Publication     

 

    dd mm year

 

    U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    View Image

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    Daniel Scanlon

 

    Birth 

 

    dd mm year Newtownsandes County, Ireland

 

    Military            

 

    New York

 

    Residence      

 

    year city, New York, USA

 

    U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    John O'Connor

 

    Relative           

 

    given name surname

 

    Birth 

 

    dd mm year Newtownsandes, Ireland

 

    Residence      

 

    year city, Sacramento, California, USA

 

    Pennsylvania, WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948

 

    Pension Records

 

    View Image

 

    Record information.

 

    Name               

 

    Barth J Stack

 

    Birth 

 

    dd mm year Newtownsandes Co, Kerry, Ireland

 

    Residence      

 

    dd mm year location

 

    UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records, 1760-1920

 

    Draft, Enlistment and Service

 

    Record information.

 

    Birth 

 

    Newtownsandes, Kerry, Ireland abt year

 

The facial recognition software that could identify thousands of soldiers in American Civil War photographs

 

f you have an interest in trying out our software (for free) and providing feedback, please visit CivilWarPhotoSleuth.com and sign up.

 

As a first step towards that goal, we are reaching out to Military Images readers to be our beta-testers, starting with this column. If you have an interest in trying out our software (for free) and providing feedback, please visit

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6399039/The-facial-recognition-software-identify-thousands-faces-Civil-War-photographs.html

 

Photo of Rory's great grand father Jeremiah Reidy born c.1842 in Meenleitrim, Knocknagoshel. Jeremiah married Mary Ann Laughlin in Michigan, USA. His sister Catherine Reidy was my 3rd great grandmother.

 

Picture

 

Before Rory travelled to Meenleitrim he sent a letter from Germany to his cousin Michael Reidy on April 21st, 1967.

 

https://findmyfamily.ie/blog/army-leave-letter-1967?fbclid=IwAR37zT0-8CScbo5-XkAJ0p5XTbzOZZ3eZQno3HXxaYtrZJKCX3bSX_4KDoo

 

 

Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ARBOUR HILL BARRACKS

 

Burial of JAMES KENNELLY of GENERAL MILITARY HOSPITAL on 8 February 1865

 

Name    JAMES KENNELLY Address           GENERAL MILITARY HOSPITAL

 

Age        35 Date of Death              4 February 1865 Occupation        PRIVATE 41ST REGNT

 

October 1918, The official site of the R.M.S. Leinster

 

http://www.rmsleinster.com/poetrySong/poetry.htm

 

 

 

http://www.rmsleinster.com/

 

 

 

100th Anniversary - 2018

 

 

 

10 October 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Leinster. Plans to mark the centenary are underway. If you would like to be kept informed as plans develop, please contact us at info@rmsleinster.com

 

 

 

How the sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster jeopardized peace talks.

 

US President Woodrow Wilson

 

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

 

 

 

    6 October 1918: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson received the following message from Germany: "The German Government requests the President of the United States to arrange the immediate conclusion of an armistice on land, by sea and in the air."

 

 

 

    10 October 1918: German submarine UB-123 torpedoed the R.M.S. Leinster in the Irish Sea. Official death toll 501.

 

 

 

    14 October U.S. President Woodrow Wilson replies to the German Government saying, among other things, that there can be no peace as long as Germany attacks passenger ships.

 

 

 

    21 October 1918: Reinhard Scheer, Admiral of the German High Seas Fleet, signalled his submarines: "To all U-boats: Commence return from patrol at once. Because of ongoing negotiations any hostile actions against merchant vessels prohibited. Returning U-boats are allowed to attack warships only in daylight. End of message. Admiral."

 

 

 

    11 November 1918: Armistice signed between the warring powers. End of First World War.

 

 

 

    For a few days in October 1918 the sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster threatened the possibility of peace talks to end the First World War.

 

 

 

 

 

ooks on the R.M.S. Leinster sinking:

 

 

 

Death in the Irish Sea(1) Death in the Irish Sea: The Sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster by Roy Stokes. Published in 1998 by The Collins Press, West Link Park, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. ISBN 1-898256-52-7.

 

 

 

The first ever book to be written about the Leinster, it deals with the circumstances of the sinking in the context of the war at sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Torpedoed(2) Torpedoed!: The R.M.S. Leinster Disaster by Philip Lecane. Published by Periscope Publishing Ltd, 33 Barwis Terrace, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 2AW, United Kingdom. ISBN 1-904381-29-4 website www.periscopepublishing.com. Under agreement with the publisher, those living in Ireland may buy the book directly from the author. ISBN 1-904381-30-8

 

 

 

Philip Lecane's book tells the stories of many of the people who sailed on the last voyage of the R.M.S. Leinster, including ship's crew, postal workers, civilian and military passengers. The book gives a detailed background on Robert Ramm, commander of the UB-123, as well as information on the submarine's other two officers. It also has information on some of the rescuing ships and the aftermath of the sinking. Tracing the lives of a number of survivors in the years following the sinking, the book concludes with an almost complete list of those who were on the Leinster the day she was sunk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father lost on way to visit seriously wounded soldier son (Buried Tralee)

 

 

 

The Reverend John R. Bartley LL. B. (Trinity College, Dublin) of the Presbyterian Church, Tralee, County Kerry was on his way to visit his seriously wounded son when he was lost on the R.M.S. Leinster.  His body was recovered and buried on 15 October 1918 in the Protestant Plot, near the main path, in the New Cemetery, Tralee, County Kerry.

 

 

 

Sergeant William Bartley, 150790, 52nd Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force, died of his wounds in a military hospital in Tooting, south London, on 16 October 1918.  William Bartley was born on 2 February 1893 at Carnone, County Donegal.  He was employed as a bank clerk at the time he enlisted in the Canadian Army on 26 August 1915 at Portage Le Prairie, Manitoba.  He was 5 feet 7 inches in height, had dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.  He is buried in the same grave as his father.

 

 

 

(Grateful thanks to Dave Donatelli for the newspaper clipping with photograph of Sergeant William Bartley). 

 

another means of uncovering some of these individuals is to examine the 1901 Census of Ireland. It is intriguing to consider that at the turn of the 20th century, veterans of battlefields like Gettysburg and Chickamauga could be found in counties throughout the island. I decided to conduct an extensive search of the 1901 Census to try and identify more of them, with the results made available below.

 

Kerry

 

Daniel Callaghan, Knockardtry, Crinny, Co. Kerry, 74-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “American Army Pensioner”. Pension certificate 786221. Served in the Ordnance Detachment of the U.S. Army.

 

 

 

Daniel Connor, Knockeen, Castleisland, Co. Kerry, 76-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “Pensioner American Army”.

 

Thomas Fitzgerald, Acres, Ballynacourty, Co. Kerry, 70-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “American Army Pensioner”.

 

William Murphy, Clievraght, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 75-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “Pensioner from the American Army”. Likely the William Murphy that served in Company G of the 23rd Kentucky Infantry (Certificate 1015966).

 

 

 

Limerick

 

Michael Dore, Ballynacragga North, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick, 65-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “Pensioner from American Army”.

 

Maurice McAuliffe, Ardagh, Co. Limerick, 73-year-old Roman Catholic, Occupation: “Pensioner United States Army.

 

https://irishamericancivilwar.com/2016/09/04/returned-americans-identifying-american-civil-war-veterans-on-the-irish-1901-census/

 

Second Irish Jesuit chaplain to die in the war

 

Posted on 14th July 2016             

 

 

 

Irish Jesuits were connected to the Middle East in the early years of the twentieth century. In Alexandria, Beirut and Damascus, they studied Arabic, taught in schools and universities and worked as missioners. One such Jesuit was Limerick man, Jeremiah Augustine (Austin) Hartigan. Born in Foynes in 1882, his father Jeremiah T Hartigan, was the dispensary doctor in Croom.  The Hartigan’s of Tarbrook, Croom were known for their involvement in horse breeding and racing. After attending the two Jesuit schools in Limerick (the Crescent and Mungret College), Austin entered the Jesuit novitiate aged sixteen. Four years later, he was sent to Beirut to study oriental languages in the Jesuit-run St Joseph University. After two years of study, he was awarded a Doctorate in Oriental Letters and he spent a further year studying at St Francis Xavier College in Alexandria, Egypt. In The Mungret Annual, 1905, Frs Michael Bergin and Austin Hartigan wrote about their experiences in ‘Scenes and Manners in […]

 

http://www.jesuitarchives.ie/blog/second-irish-jesuit-chaplain-to-die-in-the-war/

 

Daniel J. Culhane

 

World War I

 

Rank      Private, U.S. Army

 

Unit       310th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division

 

Entered Service From    New York

 

Date of Death    October 25, 1918

 

Buried   Plot F Row 42 Grave 8

 

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery

 

https://www.abmc.gov/node/336883

 

http://war1812.tripod.com/fitz.html

 

Lieutenant James FitzGibbon

 

James FitzGibbon was born in Ireland in 1781. At age 17 he joined the Tarbert Fencibles, a regiment of the British army, and was sent to England to do garrison duty.

 

When he was 20 he sailed under Lord Nelson against Denmark, two years before he sailed against Holland and briefly spent time in a French prison.

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. On James Fitzgibbon.  To add to this info. He was born in 1780 in Glin on a small holding on the Knight of Glin's estate. He left school at 11 and at 15 he enlisted in the Knight's Yeomanry Corps and was promoted to sergeant.  In the war against the Americans in Canada while fighting for the British army he became some kind of a national hero. He married Mary Haley (could be Healy?0 and they had four sons. He subsequently moved to England where he died in 1863 and was buried at St.George's chapel, Windsor Castle.  In 2003 his military sword and some of his military belongings were donated to the Canadian Military Museum in Ottawa.

 

Le gach dea ghui,

 

Patrick.

 

 

TOM LANGAN (1)

 

(The Knockanure Connection.)

 

(Also - Ahearn's, Knockanure & Langan's of Duagh)

 

Tom Langan (1) who was born in 1787 died at Knockanure on May 28th 1871 aged eighty-four years. His wifes name was Bridget McElligott born c1785 and died at Knockanure after 1841. He may have been a brother or a close relative to the Kilpadogue Langan’s, John, Jermiah etc. Tom and Bridget had a family of four or five  that we know of.

 

i. Maurice Langan b February 27th 1818. (my greatgreatgrandfather) See further on.

 

ii. Ellen Langan b Sept 2nd 1831 at Chapel Cross, Knockanure.

 

iii. Bridget Langan bApril 6th 1834 at Chapel Cross, Knockanure.  Bridget  was  baptised 06-04-1834.

 

iv. Kate Langan b 1836 and died 1896.

 

v. Patrick Langan bSept 2nd 1840 at Chapel Cross, Knockanure.  Patrick  may have been called after his grandfather, the aforementioned Patrick Langan, brother of Sean, Glenagragra.

 

 

 

There could have been another son in the family, who may well be the father of a John Langan who also lived in Knockanure. (See John’s army records further on)

 

ii. Ellen Langan, (as above) baptised 12-09-1831 who married a John Ahearn from Knockanure on 04-02-1860.

 

Ellen Langan and John Ahern had at least seven children; the following can be accounted for –

 

Tom (Toss) Ahern –  b. 1860. (Going by 1911census)

 

Brigid Ahern - born at Kealod, Knockanure in 1861.

 

Mary Ahern - b 04-10-1863.

 

Patrick Ahern - b 07-02-1866.

 

James Ahern - b 30-08-1868.

 

Maurice Ahern - b 25-07-1870.

 

Jeremiah Ahern - b 20-12-1872.

 

It would appear that Thos used to visit his Langan relatives in Glenagragra on a regular basis. The late Mick Higgins R.I.P. of Glasha reliably informed me that he himself had a vivid recollection of Thos Ahearn from Knockanure regularly paying visits on Tom Langan, who at the time was residing at the Higgins homestead. (Tom’s daughter Nora was married to Mick Higgins’s father Maurice and she looked after her father towards the end of his days.)  Ciss Faley Higgins R.I.P. was of the opinion that Toss was a 1stcousin of Tom’s. This gives us another indication that there was a clear-cut connection between the two Langan families.

 

Going on the theory that the first son born was generally called after his grandfather and bearing in mind what Ciss has told me, the situation would then arise that Maurice Langan’s father was indeed called Tom strengthening the possibility that the current Langan families arrived in Glasha/Glenagragra via Knockanure.

 

Returning to the McElligott name, John Langan, Cahara told Nora Ghauri Langan that his father Mick often told him that the Langan’s and the McElligott’s were related again adding proof to what we have already established. Mick, by all accounts was very well versed in the genealogy department. Mick also said that there was a David Langan in the family.

 

John Langan (2)

 

Knockanure.

 

John Langan was born in the parish of Knockanure, Co. Kerry in the year 1856. It is feasible that John was either the grandson or grandnephew of Tom Langan (1), more than likely the latter as Tom’s son Patrick was born in 1841 and it is unlikely that he, Patrick would have been married and have a son by the age of fifteen. John joined the British Army’s 67th Brigade of The Leinster Regiment on October 26th 1880.

 

His description on enlistment as follows:

 

Age Apparently – 24yrs.

 

Height – 5ft- ¾ inches.

 

Chest Measurement – 36 ½ inches.

 

Complection – Fresh.

 

Eyes – Blue.

 

Hair – Brown.

 

Religious Denomination – Roman Catholic.

 

Distinctive Marks – Old wound between elbow and shoulder.

 

His Trade or Calling given as a Labourer.

 

Military History Sheet.

 

Service at Home and Abroad.

 

Country – Home. From 21-10-1880 to 10-12-1882 – 2yrs-51days.

 

Country – India. From 11-12-1882 to 15-03-1889 – 7yrs-93days.

 

Country    ====. 16-03-1890 to 24-04-1890 – 40days.

 

Country – Home.25-04-1890 to 20-10-1892 – 2yrs-179days.

 

Discharged on 20-10-1892 on termination of first period of limited engagement.

 

Enlisted for a second period of duty for 4 yrs from 21-10 1892. At Birr, Co. Offaly

 

Discharged on 20-10-1896 on termination of his engagement.

 

Next of kin given as follows:

 

Mother – Ellen Langan, Knockanure. (Could be sister-in-law to Maurice Langan, my greatgreatgrandfather)

 

Brothers – Thomas and Patrick, Knockanure. (Could be nephews of Maurice Langan, my greatgreatgrandfather.)

 

It would appear that John spent the greater part of his life in the British Army. On September 4th 1914, at Cork, he enlisted with the Special Reservists under the term of ‘one year unless War lasts longer in which case you will be retained until War is over’, for which he was. On enlisting, for some reason or other, he gave his age as 40 years when in fact he was 58yrs of age. He gave his trade or calling as a Clark. He was passed fit to join the Leinster Regiment on said date. This latest term of duty would appear not to have run that smooth as can be seen from the following:

 

11-12-1915 – Went A.W.O.L. - 14 days F.P. No 2 by Co for absence. Forfeits 8 days pay for absence.

 

29-12-1916 – Deserted.

 

13-02-1917 – Rejoined. In arrest awaiting trial. Tried by Court Martial for desertion.

 

18-02-1917 – Found not guilty of desertion but guilty of absence without leave. (56 days detention)

 

26-03-1917 – Released from detention. Special remission by G.O.C. of 20 days.

 

15-05-1917 – Awarded 28 days detention by C.O. for absence. Forfeits 17 days pay.

 

11-06-1917 – Transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers.

 

26-11-1918 – Transferred to Res. E. Co.

 

26-06-1919 – Transferred to the Dorset Regt

 

Discharged from the army December 14th 1919 and retired to the Soldiers Home, King St. Cork. Next of kin given as Ellen Langan, Knockanure. No mention of his brothers Thomas or Patrick.

 

From ‘Missing Friends’ we find an advert in the Boston Globe newspaper looking for a John Langan by his brother Thomas, home address given as Knockanure.

Taken from George Langan Family tree.

 

WAR 1; Michael Shanahan World War I. Rank Corporal, U.S. Army

 

Unit 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division. Entered Service from New York, believed born Inchamore. Date of Death October 3, 1918, Buried Plot G Row 36 Grave 38. Buried

 

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. The Memorial in France,  covers 130.5 acres, rest the largest number of US military dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War1

 

 

 

 

WAR 1

 

Lieutenant Denis Joseph Baily M.C. - 1894 - February 1917.

 

1st battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers - formerly 9th battalion.

 

 Lieutenant Denis Joseph Baily, Military Cross

Killed in action 21st February 1917

 

Grave No. J 11 - Pond Farm Cemetery.

 

Pond Farm Cemetery is located south-west of Ieper (Ypres) near the village of Wulvergem. Denis was the son of John Baily and Johanna (Nagle) Baily, 17 The Mall, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

 

WAR !

WAR 1 DEATHS

 

Maurice Hannon Lixnaw, 6488 d 10 November 1917; William Danaher Listowel 7529, d 19 July 1917.

 

 

 

Tim Galvin Brosna, 17873, d 17 January 1917; John Barry, Listowel, 7579, 2nd Battalion Irish guards, killed in action in France on the 17th March 1917; Wiliam T Blundel, 64871, Listowel, d 21st April 1917; Pat Bunyan, Listowel, 7047, d 10th November 1917; William Burke, listowel, 3591, d 10 November 1917; Edward Carmody, Listowel, 5639, d 4th May 1917; John Cleary, Listowel, d 1st May 1917, aged 27; Samuel Whitaker, 19059, Tarbert, d 26th September 1916; Fr, Donal o Sullivan, Chaplin, d 5th July 1916, some; Pat Pierce, 3970, Dysert, d 28th June 1916; William Nolan, Ballylongford, 5408, 5th August 1916; Edward Nolan, Cahirciveen, d 26th June 1916,

 

Maurice O Connell, 4969, d France 21st August 1916; Michael Lynch, Tarbert, 6446, d 1st June 1916,

 

Michael McAulife, Listowel, d 1916; James Smyth, Listowel, d November 1917; John Sullivan, Listowel, 40918, d 25th October 1917; Michael Sullivan, 13971, Lixnaw, d 26th September 1917,

 

William O Boyle, 10491, Ballybunion, d 2nd November 1917; Paul McElligott, Listowel, 305434, d 12 August 1917, Africa; Michael Healy, Listowel, d 15th September 1917, India; John Hennessy, Listowel, 4794, d 31st July 1917; Charles Hewson, Listowel, d 12th April 1917, Cameroon;

 

John Kelliher, Kerry, 5266, d 12th October 1917; John Kirby, Listowel, 22751, d 3rd May 1917,

 

Edward Lacey, Listowel, 4782, d 22nd July 1917; Bernard Gibney, Listowel, 24640, 19th April 1917,

 

Christopher Godfrey, Listowel, 6428, 22nd September 1917; Robert Charles Hudson, Canada, Tralee, d 17th October 1918; Denis Daly, Listowel, 1576, d 26th December 1918; Michael Dee, Coolard, 1296, d 20th October 1918; Maurice Downes, 241264, Listowel, d 23 March 1918,

 

John Enright, Listowel, 2148, d 29th September 1918; William Fitzmaurice, Tarbert, 6486, d 21 March 1918; James Cannavan Listowel 498714 , d 10 Oct 1918; Michael Sheehy Sgt, Duagh, d 9th July 1918; Michael Stack Listowel 4516 d 8-4-1918 wounds; John Sullivan 4279 d 30 Sept 1918.

 

J Byrne Listowel 3644, d 1918; Jeremiah Leahy Lixnaw 7298 d 10-1-1918; Wilson Mc Cracken Listowel d12th Oct 1918 no 20170.

 

 

 

LIMERICK

 

WAR DEATHS

 

Name: Denis Mulvihill, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Irish Guards,Died: 31/07/1917

 

Son of Michael and Margaret Mulvihil, Killianymore, Glin, Co. Limerick.

 

Name: John O'Halloran,Regiment: 1st Bn, Royal Munster Fusiliers

 

Died: 08/09/1916,Son of Mary O'Halloran (nee Lynch) who was from Glin, Co Limerick. Current address being Ballylongford, Co. Kerry

 

Name: John Walsh, Regiment: 2nd Bn, Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 12/02/1919. Son of Thomas and Johanna Walsh, Glin, Co. Limerick. Brother of Thomas Walsh

 

Name: Thomas Walsh,Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 22/03/1918, Son of Thomas and Johanna Walsh, Glin, Co. Limerick. Brother of John

 

Name: John Cusack ,Regiment: 9th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 16/04/1915: Born in Glin, Co. Limerick

 

Name: Patrick Cusack, Regiment: 9th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers ,Died: 18/03/1916

 

: Son of Margaret & James Cusack, Killeany, Glin, Co. Limerick

 

Name: Timothy Hanrahan, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 21/12/1914 Born in Glin, Co. Limerick. There were 57 members of the 2nd Batallion R. M. F. Killed that day, including 10 Limerick men.

 

Name: Daniel Hanlon,Regiment: 1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 22/03/1918

 

Son of Daniel and Norah Hanlon, Glin, Co. Limerick.

 

BALLYHAHILL

 

Name: Patrick O'Sullivan, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Irish Guards, Died: 30/09/1916, Born in Ballyhahill, Co. Limerick.

 

Thomas Fitzgerald, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 10/11/1917

 

Born in Ballyhahill, Co. Limerick

 

 

 

LOUGHILL

 

Michael Quill, Regiment: 10th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died: 25/07/1917

 

: Son of Thomas Quill, Loughill, Co. Limerick

 

SHANAGOLDEN

 

Daniel Joseph Sheehan, Regiment: 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards. Died: 24/07/1917. Son of John and Johanna Sheehan, Shanagolden, Co Limerick.

 

John Copeland, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Scots Guards, Died: 26/10/1914

 

Son of Charles and Catherine Copeland (nee Healy), Corgriggs, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick.

 

Robert Cussen, Regiment: 7th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 12/08/1915

 

Son of Joseph Cussen, Ballyegna, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick

 

Daniel Lynch,Regiment: 44th Bn. Australian Infantry, Died: 28/03/1918. Son of John & Catherine Lynch, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick

 

Patrick McDonnell,Regiment: 1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 18/11/1916, Born in Shanagolden, Limerick.

 

Lance Corporal

 

Phillip Naughton, Regiment: 8th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 31/08/1916: Born Shanagolden, Co Limerick. Husband of Catherine Naughton, 1 Keeffe's Place, Edward St, Limerick.

 

Henry O'Brien, Regiment: 1st Bn. Irish Guards, Died: 28/06/1916, Son of David and Bridget O'Brien, Shanagolden, Co Limerick.

 

Martin O'Donovan, Regiment: 2nd. Bn. Irish Guards, Died: 27/03/1918

 

Born in Shanagolden, Co Limerick.

 

William Pennie, Regiment: 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F., Died: 25/08/1918

 

Son of John Pennie, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick.

 

Daniel Joseph Sheehan, Regiment: 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards., Died: 24/07/1917

 

Son of John and Johanna Sheehan, Shanagolden, Co Limerick.

 

Eugene Carroll, Regiment: 6th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 28/12/1917

 

Commemorated: Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel, Born in Kilmallock, Co Limerick.

 

Daniel Lynch, Regiment: 44th Bn. Australian Infantry, Died: 28/03/1918

 

Son of John & Catherine Lynch, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick. Emigrated to Australia in 1898.

 

George Robinson Smith, Regiment: 4th Bn. Australian Infantry, Died: 06/09/1917

 

Further Details: Son of Richard and Jane Smith, Suite 9 Broughton Apartments, Vancouver, BC, Canada. George attended the Diocesan School, Molesworth St, Dublin

 

Name: William J. Doherty, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Irish Guards, Died: 15/09/1917

 

Born in Limerick

 

Michael O'Keefe, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, Died: 08/07/1915

 

Born in Limerick. Listed as O'Keef on CWGC database.

 

Patrick Reddin, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 16/07/1916, Husband of Margaret Reddin, 5 Doyle's Cottages, Garryowen, Limerick.

 

Simon Sheehy, Regiment: 1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 12/11/1917

 

Son of Martin Sheehy, Carrickerry, Ardagh, Co Limerick.

 

Maurice Connors, Regiment: 1st Garrison Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, Died: 02/08/1917

 

Born in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick.

 

Francis Duhig, Regiment: 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, Died: 27/08/1914

 

Born in Limerick

 

 

 

 

 

County Kerry Australia search

 

Item title: O'DRISCOLL Thomas : Service Number - 1947 : Place of Birth - County Kerry Ireland : Place of Enlistment - Brisbane QLD : Next of Kin - (Brother) O'DRISCOLL Patrick

 

Series number: B2455, Control symbol: O'DRISCOLL THOMAS, Barcode: 7996350

 

Access Status: Open Tralee and Kilmoyley ?

 

 

 

[EDGEWORTH, Michael Stephen (Air Force Service No.: 1799080) born in Knockaclare, Listowel , County Kerry, Eire on 26 December 1915 - Application dated: Bangalore, 8 February 1946]

 

MCCRAE TERENCE PATRICK : Service Number - 56699 : Date of birth - 03 Oct 1897 : Place of birth - BALLYLONGFORD IRELAND : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - MCCRAE ELSIE

 

 

 

AWARD:

 

APRIL 1944

 

http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/6th-april-1944/6/obituar

 

 

 

WAR: The King has approved the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to 30-years-old Flight Lieutenant Peter Joseph Crowley, R.A.F., No. 226 Squadron, a native of Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, of Plymouth.

 

 

 

 

 

IRISH BORN CANADA

 

http://www.biographi.ca/en/results.php/?ft=irish%20born

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Soldier of WW1 with a Listowel connection

 

 

 

The following story and photographs were sent to me by Mark Hewitt whose wife, Siobhán is a Listowel Hannon. Mark and Siobhán are frequent visitors to Listowel. The Maurice of the story was Siobhán's grandad's brother.

 

 

 

Maurice Hannon was born in Listowel on 1894 and was killed in action in Belgium in 1917.

 

 

 

Part of the current commemorations of the war includes the planting of 888,246 ceramic poppies in the moat of the Tower of London, one for each British soldier lost in the war. Work on planting these started last month and will continue until November, when it will eventually fill the whole moat with a sea of red, representing the blood of the fallen.

 

 

 

Each night a Roll Call of names of 180 fallen soldiers is read out in a ceremony ending with a bugler playing the Last Post. The public have been invited to submit names to be read out, and I have done this with Maurice Hannon. His name is to be amongst those read out on Sunday 7 September at 7.25pm.

 

 

 

During the First World War Maurice decided to join the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers (RMF) and by 1917 found himself at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. From the War Diaries made by each Battalion at the time, now made available at the National Archives, I have put together the following account of the battle. I have also seen the maps used by the troops at the time, and all the farms and cottages mentioned in the War Diaries are still there.

 

 

 

Two Battalions attacked the enemy lines at 6am on Saturday 10 November 1917, one of which was the RMFs. The ground was a quagmire full of water-logged shell-holes after four months of battle. It was to be the last British effort of the Passchendaele campaign. Weighed down with equipment, they waded waist deep through mud and water, initially taking all objectives within 45 minutes.

 

 

 

They advanced a further 400 yards, without orders, half way up a ridge. Here they were caught by the German attack, with the British counter barrage falling on them as well as the enemy. They withdrew to a farm where, being pressed by the enemy, they threw balls of mud at the Germans who, thinking they were grenades, fell back momentarily. This farm fell at 8.30am with the RMFs ending up back where they started.

 

 

 

At 9.30am they attacked again and captured another farm. By this time their ranks numbered 7 officers and 240 men, having started the day with 20 officers and 630 men. Private Maurice Hannon was one of these casualties.

 

 

 

He is one of many war dead with no known grave. His name, though, is recorded on the memorial wall at the huge Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Belgium. This wall alone has the names of nearly 34,000 soldiers killed in the area towards the end of the war but have no known graves.

 

 

 

The Battle of Passchendaele officially ended that day. Estimates at the total numbers of casualties vary. It is said the Allies had lost almost 275,000 men, killed and wounded in the four months of the campaign. The Germans lost 260,000. 42,000 of the Allied dead were never recovered from the battlefield. The Great War lasted for another year and a day.

 

 

 

On 9 April 1918, five months after the Battle of Passchendaele ended, the Germans launched the Lys Offensive and in three days recaptured all the ground they had lost in the battle.

 

 

 

Charlie O'Brien from another site

 

Charles O'Brien in Listowel circa 1890, believed to be buried there will military honours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was just looking at Salesian College Magazine Battersea S.W.11, Summer 1949. They were expecting a book about the London Irish Rifles (T.A)

 

Formed 1859. An Officer and 40 other ranks paid their fare to France and fought in French Army for a year during the Franco-Prussian War. Last survivor died 1930s aged 95.

 

 

 

They were in the South African War later and then War1. In 1915 at the first battle of Loos they went over the top dribbling a football.

 

Then again starting in 1939 till end of war.

 

 

 

St Mary’s Church. Thurles . Mary mother of George Cunningham of Thurles died 6 Nov. 1816 aged 60, also his father Jno Cunningham died 21 May 1824 aged 85, his son Pat Cunningham died 9 May 1842 aged 19, daughter Catherine died aged 5 years in 1843. Corporal P Cunningham Leinster Regiment died 4 June 1915 ? (339)

 

 

 

 

 

Archive of General Eion (Owen) O Duffy, Captain Walsh material, on sale July 23rd 2013, at Fonsie Mealy.

 

Friendly Fire2-3-1937, Tom Hyde and Young Chute who was a good boy sent his money home for Masses, he was a native of Kerry. Young Connor of Tralee, Duffy was asked to send him home, he noted friendly relations between Dev and McDonald the British PM. Mentioned that they were fortunate that they did not have 300 casualties on 13th March. Details of wounded and repatriated soldiers . Report on National Guard meeting at Mansion House 2 Nov. 1934. Duffy in Spain 1936-’37.

 

600 Irish fought on side of General Franco.

 

 

 

Report on what the Irish Regiments have done St Patrick’s Day 1916.

 

 

 

 

 

WAR 1

 

For the nearly half-million Jews who served in the German and Austro-Hungarian armies during WWI, military service represented a long-awaited path to full acceptance in societies many Jews had considered their Fatherlands for generations. In the shtetls of Eastern Europe, however, many of these patriots would encounter a different cultural expression of Judaism that would inform new dialogues about assimilation, patriotism, and peoplehood. These issues took on an additional urgency as anti-Semitism mounted in the German military. Original correspondence, photographs, artwork, and objects saved by German and Austrian veterans of WWI illuminate the German-Jewish encounter with the Jews of the East.

 

 

Searching for World War1 soldiers

 

http://irishmedals.org/world-war-1.html

 

 

 

Supporting evidence that a Plaque was awarded to a certain individual can come in many forms. The most definite and desirable is the person's medals. In this image we have a Death Plaque named to James Lunney.

 

This pair of medals which I got with the plaque are named to James Lunney. The medals provide the information that he was in the Rifle Brigade so when searching the CWGC site we can enter the force he served with, Army, and his Nationally, United Kingdom. As Ireland was under British rule at the time of WW1 all Irishmen serving in the British Army were recorded as United Kingdom not Irish.

 

 

 

 

 

This information entered into the CWGC site returns 5 matches. We know James Lunney was in the Rifle Brigade so as there is only one James Lunney recorded as a member of the Rifle Brigade we can assume we have our man. When we click on this name we go to a page with more detailed information relating to James Lunney. This page shows us his Regimental number which is 5113, this number corresponds with his Regimental number on his medals so we can confirm we have the right man. Additional information shows he was from Listowel, Co. Kerry and gives the date of his death.

 

 

 

Further information can be obtained by getting the Medal Index Card (MIC) for James Lunney from the UK National Archive site. On the Advanced Search on this site I entered his Surname and in the Other Key Words box I entered his Regimental number. The information returned tells me his MIC is available and can be downloaded for a fee.

 

 

 

His MIC informs me that he entered the Theatre of War (France) on the 1st of May 1915, the CWGC site tells me his died on the 13 of May 1915 so he only managed to survive 13 days.

 

 

 

 

 

William George Massy Eagar. Captain 3rd Battalion attached 1st Battalion The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Died on the 21st of August 1915 aged 23. He was the son of W. J. A. and Ida J. Eagar, of "Iveragh," Church Rd., Greystones, Co. Wicklow. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial Turkey.

 

 

 

Thomas Michael Kettle

 

 

 

Thomas Michael Kettle. Lieutenant 9th Battalion The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Killed in action on the 9th of September 1916 aged 36. He was the son of Andrew J. and Margaret Kettle, of Newtown, St. Margaret's, Co. Dublin; husband of Mary S. Kettle (nee Sheehy), of 3, Belgrave Park, Rathmines, Dublin. Member of Parliament for East Tyrone, and the Professor of National Economics at University College, Dublin. Poet, journalist, essayist and idealist. A leading Irish Nationalist, he joined the Dublin Fusiliers when Belgium was attacked, to fight "not for England, but for small nations." One of the outstanding Irishmen of his generation, he wrote a number of war poems. Killed in action at the Battle of the Somme. Poems and Parodies, published 1916, and The Ways of War, published 1917. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

 

 

 

William Nagle Creagh

 

 

 

William Nagle Creagh. Second Lieutenant 3rd battalion The Leinster Regiment. Died of wounds on the 7th of march 1917 aged 36. He was the son of William and Emma Creagh, of Mallow, Co. Cork; husband of Christina M. Creagh, of 3, Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park, London. He is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

 

 

Paul Charles Stacpoole O’Longan

 

 

 

Paul Charles Stacpoole O’Longan. Second Lieutenant 41st Squadron Royal Flying Corps and The Royal Irish Regiment. Killed in action on the 1st of June 1917 aged 19. He was the son of Paul, HM Customs examining officer, and Elizabeth O’Longan of Blackrock County Cork. He is buried in Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

 

 

William Hoey Kearney Redmond. Major 6th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment. Died from wounds received in the battle of Messines Ridge on the 7th of June 1917 aged 56. Husband of Eleanor Redmond. He was the brother of John Redmond leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party and Nationalist Member of Parliament for Wexford since 1884. Awarded the Legion of Honour (France). He is buried in Locre Hospice Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

 

 

Charles Conyers. Lieutenant Colonel 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers. Died on the 12th of May 1915 aged 46. he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Conyers and husband of Minnie Dorothea Conyers of Nantinan, Ballingrane, Co. Limerick. Served in the South African Campaign. He is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

 

 

The Reverend Donal Vincent O’Sullivan. Chaplin 4th Class Army Chaplin’s’ Department. Killed in action on the 5th of July 1916 aged 26. At the time of his death he was Chaplin to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was the son of Son of Hannah O'Sullivan, of 6, High St., Killarney, and the late D. F. O'Sullivan. He is buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irish War Hospital Supply Depot, based at 40 Merrion Square Dublin, provided supplies to hospitals treating wounded from the trenches. Some 2000 volunteers supply anything from bandages to life jackets. The depot would supply up to 15,000 items a week to hospitals.

 

 

 

One thing the Irish War Hospital Supply Depots specialised in was the collection and shipping to England of sphagnum moss. Seventeen species and twenty-five varieties of sphagnum moss were found in the bogs of Ireland. The moss, which had been used in German hospitals for over thirty years, was found to act as a superior absorbent and natural deodorant. The moss dressing was considered so good the War Office requisitioned 5,000 dressings per month, the only interruption to the supply of moss dressing was in April 1916 due to the Easter Rising but the regular supply resumed in May. 160 Women were occupied full time with the preparation of the dressing.

 

http://irishmedals.org/irish-war-hospitals.html

 

 

 

 

 

SEAMEN

 

http://irishmedals.org/irish-royal-navy-kia.html

 

 

 

Burns James 226313 Able Seaman H.M.S. "Indefatigable." 31/05/1916 30

 

Further Information

 

Born C G S Liscannor County Clare. Son of Michael and Mary Burns, of Rose Cottage, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

Burke John 138847 Yeoman of Signals H.M.S. "Laurentic." 25/01/1917 45

 

Further Information

 

Born in Ballyduff County Kerry. Mentioned in Despatches. Son of David and Bridget Burke, of Whitegate, Co. Cork. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Carroll James 284276TH> Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. "Flirt." 26/10/1916 35

 

Further Information

 

Born in Rhamore County Kerry. Son of Patrick and Ellen Carroll, of Aghamore, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Cotter Daniel M14437 Carpenter's Crew H.M.S. "Defence." 31/05/1916 31

 

Further Information

 

Born in Killorglin County Kerry. Son of James and Bridget Cotter, of 7, Rosefield Terrace, Victoria Road, Cork. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Curran Michael 191962 Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. "Black Prince." 31/05/1916 33

 

Further Information

 

Born in Abbeydorney County Kerry. Son of Mortimer and Mary Curran, of Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Flynn(O’Flynn) Michael K26417 Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. "Indefatigable." 31/05/1916 19

 

Further Information

 

Born in Killarney County Kerry. Son of James and Mary Flynn, of Kilbrean, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Hogan Joseph K29031 Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. "Defence." 31/05/1916 21

 

Further Information

 

Born in Headford County Kerry. Son of Michael and Mary Hogan, of Knock, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Johnson Daniel 304018 Leading Stoker (C.G.) H.M.S. Bulwark 26/11/1914 31

 

Further Information

 

Born in Dingle County Kerry. Son of John and Ellen Johnson, of Blackfields, Ballyferriter, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent, UK.

 

 

 

Kelly James J19569 Able Seaman H.M. S/M. "H5." 02/03/1918 22

 

Further Information

 

Born in Cahirciveen County Kerry. Son of Mrs. Margaret O'sullivan, of West End, Castletown, Berehaven, Co. Cork. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Mahony Thomas 200703 Leading Seaman H.M.S. "Monmouth." 01/11/1914 33

 

Further Information

 

Born in Ardfert County Kerry. Son of John and Mary Mahoney, of Tubrid, Ardfert, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

McCarthy Charles - Gunner H.M.S. "Goliath." 13/05/1915 33

 

Further Information

 

Son of Timothy and Julia McCarthy, of Tarmon, Waterville, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

O’Brien William 276218 Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. "Monmouth." 01/11/1914 37

 

Further Information

 

Born in Rathduff County Kerry. Son of William and Bridget O'Brien, of Annascaul, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

O’Connor Patrick 172086 Leading Stoker H.M.S. "Defence." 31/05/1916 43

 

Further Information

 

Born in Kerry. Son of Michael and Bridget O'Connor, of Carhunapuka, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Shea Batt 284107 Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. "Good Hope." 01/11/1914 36

 

Further Information

 

Born in Trough County Clare. Son of John and Margaret Shea, of Droum, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

Warner Henry J16675 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. "Monmouth." 01/11/1914 18

 

Further Information

 

Born in Killorglin County Kerry. Son of William Wellington Warner and Elizabeth Anne Warner, of 3, Woodland View, St. Lukes, Cork. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Hussars

 

 

 

Pigott William Gregor

 

Born 3rd March 1885 in Kells, Co. Meath. He joined the R.I.C. in 1910 at Waterford, enlistment No. 2088/1188 and was stationed at Portlaw. He married on 4 Feb 1913 but did not have permission (members of the R.I.C. were required to obtain permission to marry, failure to obtain permission resulted in dismissal from the force) Willaim Pigott re-enlisted but because of this his previous service was lost on re-enlistment ( No. 2092/57) he was posted to Ballybunnion, Co. Kerry.

 

 

 

After war broke out he joined the 4th Hussars, enlisting at Tralee ( No. 24620). He transferred to the 15th Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles (No. 41200) as a rifleman and saw action on the Somme from July-Sept. 1916. On 1st July the 15th Bn. were subjected to a powerful counter-attack from fresh German troops. The 15th held their position through the night until relieved by units from the 49th Div. At roll call the next day only 75 men answered their names, the dead accounting for over half of their losses.

 

 

 

He was taken prisoner and some time later was sent to the Prisoner of War camp at Limburg. He died on an electric fence on the night of the 21st of September 1918 whilst escaping with others and is the only Great War service casualty in the Veldwezelt Communal Cemetery, Lanakan, Limburg, Belgium. He was 33 years old when he died.

 

http://irishmedals.org/r-i-c-and-d-m-p-.html

 

 

 

O’Leary Daniel S. 10144 Private 1st Bn. Irish Guards 25/09/1916 -

 

Further Information Born in Caherdaniel County Kerry lived in Castle Cove County Kerry enlisted in Dublin. Buried/Commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

 

 

 

Ormsby John James 2050 Private 1st Bn. Irish Guards 01/11/1914 28

 

Further Information Born in Ballybunion County Kerry lived in Dungannon County Tyrone enlisted in Castlebar County Mayo. Son of Burris and Anna Maria Ormsby, of 1, Belle Vue Terrace, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Buried/Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

 

 

O’Leary Daniel (Killed in Action, twice mentioned in dispatches a native of Kenmare County Kerry)

 

 

 

O’Leary Daniel 4661 Lance Corporal 6th Bn. Connaught Rangers 29/07/1916 31

 

Further Information Son of Daniel and Hanoria O'Leary, of Muckera, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Buried/Commemorated Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

 

 

 

Royal Munster Fusiliers KIA

 

Morris John 5797 Lance Serjeant 8th Bn. Munster Fusiliers 04/05/1916 21

 

Further Information Born in Glenvickee County Kerry lived in Glencer County Kerry enlisted in Limerick. Son of Francis N. and Mary Morris, of Glenmackee, Glencar, Co. Kerry. Volunteered for active service from R.I.C., Kilmihill, Co. Clare. Buried Commemorated Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France.

 

 

 

GALLIPOLI

 

http://irishmedals.org/irishmen-at-gallipoli.html

 

 

 

Brooks Harold Brendan 14229 Private "D" Coy. 7th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers 08/08/1915 21 Killarney County Kerry

 

 

 

Enlisted in Dublin. Son of Thomas J. and Minnie F. Brooks, of Gortroe House, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Educated at Saint Vincent's College, Castleknock, Dublin.

 

 

 

Seeler Cornelius 17844 Private 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers 29/06/1915 - Born Kerry

 

Australia

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1441131/

 

Also known as: Molyneux. Service Number: 827; Rank: Sergeant. Unit: Artillery

 

Service: Colonial Military Forces. Conflict: Sudan, 1885. Date of enlistment: 23 December 1881

 

Age at enlistment: 23y 11 months. Date of embarkation: 03 March 1885; Fate: Returned to Australia

 

Date of return: 23 June 1885; Ship returned on: SS Arab

 

Birth place: Listowel, Ireland. Religion: Roman Catholic; Notes: Also recorded as Molyneux

 

 

Also known as: Molyneaux; Molyneux; Service Number: 373; Rank: Driver. Unit: Artillery

 

Service: Colonial Military Forces. Conflict: Sudan, 1885; Date of enlistment: 04 July 1877

 

Age at enlistment: 26 years. Date of embarkation: 03 March 1885; Fate: Returned to Australia

 

Date of return: 23 June 1885. Ship returned on: SS Arab; Birth place: Listowel, Ireland

 

Religion: Roman Catholic; Occupation: Groom. Notes: Also recorded as Molyneaux & Molyneux

 

 

 

Roll of Honour:

Thomas Augustus O'Riley            

Service Number: 4159

 

Rank: Private

 

Unit: 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company

 

Service: Australian Army

 

Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918

 

Date of death: 03 June 1920

 

Place of death: Australia

 

Place of association: Broken Hill South, Australia

 

Cemetery or memorial details: West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

 

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army