Those of us who have tried to trace personnel killed, missing or injured during World War One will have found this task difficult, to say the least. However, now, for those of you searching for information on Tipperary soldiers the task has become much easier, due to the publication of a new book entitled “Tipperary Casualties of the Great War”
The author, Dublin born Tom Burnell, now resident in Holycross, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, has penned a remarkable factual history of all the Tipperary men who died during World War One or just after, while in the service of the British, Australian, New Zealand, American, Indian, Canadian, South African armies. Details of those Tipperary men linked with the Royal Navy and the British Mercantile Marine are also detailed.
This book, painstakingly and accurately brings to light, for the first time, information previously held on dusty shelves in forgotten archives and reminds us of the true meaning of sacrifice.
In an interview with Thurles.Info the author Tom Burnell speaks about his early life and times and what inspired this much needed and very readable publication.
“I consider myself, indeed, blessed to live here in the most beautiful rural village of Holycross, County Tipperary, one of Irelands most holy places. This village is a peaceful location and so remote from the many wartime locations, now household names, found in Europe.
Yet even in this peaceful place, there are the ‘graves of the fallen‘ from the Great War of 1914 -1918. Indeed, there are few places in Ireland that do not contain the resting-place of at least one such serviceman. Some came home wounded and died here, while others may have died in England of wounds received in France, the Dardanelles or Flanders. Over 400 of the 1400 Tipperary men who fell in this conflict have no graves at all and their commemorations remain as small inscriptions on Memorials to the Missing in foreign lands. They fell while in the service of the British, the Canadian, the Australian Imperial Force (A. I. F.), the South African, the Indian, the New Zealand and the American Armies. Some were sailors serving in one of several navies including the British Mercantile marine.
I was born in Finglas in the 1950s, long after the Great War had ended. Like most Dubliners, I was the offspring of a Dublin mother and a father, latter from far outside the Pale and known in Dublin as a ‘Culchie’. My father originated from a little place called Camas, in County Galway, close to Meelick, Eyrecourt.
In the late 1940s, after the Second World War, he gave up the drudgery of farming life. At that time our family was farming and also selling turf cut from the Meelick bogs and sent by canal barge to Dublin. It was here they obtained the best price. In the summer of ‘49 he left his plough stuck in a furrow and with a fiver in his pocket headed off for the Capital City, Dublin. Here there was a chance of some future, more work and more music. My father was a talented musician and soon formed the Galway Rovers Céili Band with the world famous Joe Cooley. He also got a job with the Lucan Dairies and afterwards with Kennedy’s Bread in Parnell Street opposite the ‘Hill’ Saturday morning market.
In the 1950s Finglas was still rural and surrounded by farms and fields and lots and lots of places for a kid to explore. The village was a small place with one shop, a post office, a bank, a church, a few pubs, a dentist and a few other shops, the details of which now escape my memory. However I do remember playing music in The Duck Inn opposite The Drake Inn and I played here years afterwards with the music I had inherited from my Dad.
In those days it was customary for Roman Catholic families like ourselves to kneel down each evening and say the Rosary and as my father had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary this was included in our nightly devotions. It’s well I remember the whole family, my parents, four brothers and two sisters, kneeling down in front of high backed wooden chairs, saying the decades of the Rosary just before bedtime. The coal fire burned bright in the corporation tiled fireplace grate, burning our backs as we studied our shadows on the wall and counting each decade on our fingers.
At the end of it all my father would invite each of us to add our own special dedication of three Hail Mary’s to anything we liked. I don’t remember any of my siblings particular dedications, but what still remains vivid in my mind is the special dedication of three prayers that I specifically wanted to be said. Indeed, I was most insistent I wanted three Hail Mary’s said for all the soldiers who died in battle (no matter where that battle was or which side they were on) who had no-one to say a prayer for them when they took their last breath. As a child I could not understand why a soldier about to die, without a priest to say the final absolution or the last rites, could not die ‘proper’. Did that mean that men who died on the battlefield without the last rites would never see heaven?
I remember my Father initially staying silent for a short while absorbing my request. I am sure he remembered his Granny sticking the long handled fire shovel into the roasting coal cinders “lest the ‘Black and Tans‘ called” and as she would confirm she “would sort them out”. Anyway, my father agreed, “Three Hail Marys for all the soldiers who died with no-one to pray for them” he said.
We all said the three Hail Marys and I was satisfied. I must have been about 8 years old or so at that time. My special dedication would now be done many times. My father was a special man and very tolerant. After a few years, the feeling of the lost and forgotten souls began to dig deeper and I decided to amass the largest collection of “War Dead” databases, currently available in Ireland, so that I could assist those searching for information on their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
The idea of some brave soldier dying in a foreign field, his people not knowing where he had died, where he had been buried or why he had been buried in that particular place, to me, did nothing to validate well earned respect. It was during the summer of 2005 and 2006 my wife, Ruth and I decided to visit all the Tipperary cemeteries and record the Great War graves contained in them.
If no-one else cares to remembers them at least they will be remembered here in this book -” Tipperary Casualties of the Great War“.
This book is currently available from “Bookworm” email – info@bookworm.ie
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[...] author Tom Burnell colaberates with his brother Seamus Burnell to produce his second book entitled The Wicklow War [...]
Hi Tom
I am tracing my grand uncle killed in the great war he was from thurles, I was informed he was mentioned in your book Tipperary casualties of the Great War. Book worm don’t have it where else can it be got. Thanks pat. ps I know you did the research for the wall in St Mary’s cemetary.
Hello Pat.
I met you in Lidl and was able to establish you had more than one relative in died in the war. I happened to have a book in the car with me. I can see that you have a long road of discovery opened up ahead of you with the information in the book. Start with the 1901 and 1911 census and then continue with the births and deaths index available online here;
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1408347
Let us know how you get on.
Regards.
Tom.
Hi Tom
Your book has caused great excitement in my family. Patrick Quinlan is said to have left Kilsheelan to fight in the great war and never to be heard of since. Since finding out his service number from your great book, I have found that he is buried in Egypt and from the date of his death I know that he died on the operations after the capture of Jerusalem. I know he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers probably because they were based in Tipperary Town from 1914 to 1918. I have his medal record. But other than this I know nothing about him. I have the birth certificate of his brother John Quinlan (born 1873) my Grandad and I know his Parents names, John Quinlan and Mary Quinlan (nee Sheridan). I live in England and want to find out more about my Great Uncle. How do you suggest I go about this?
Hello David.
I love hearing stories about the book like yours and I am sure there are a lot more but I hardly ever hear of them. Now then, young lad, start your search here;
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/
you can pin him down with the census, and its free!!. The next bit is a bit more tricky. Ancestry.com is allowing new ‘clients’ 14 days free trial and any records of ww1 men that were not burned by the Luftwaffe bomb on London in ww2 will be in it. These are commonly known as the ‘burnt documents’. Its best to follow the free options before asking a researcher to do it for you.
Patrick Quinlan was originally in the Royal Irish Regiment where his number was 9016, and transferred to the Inniskillikgs (AKA the ‘Skins’) which are a Northern Ireland based unit. Why he transferred I have no idea. Quinlan is still a common name here in Tipperary.
Enjoy your trek through the archives, you never know what you will find….
Please let us know how you get on.
Kind regards.
Tom.
Tom, I received your wonderful book last year. I am particularly interested in the Hayes family of Holycross and John Quinane. Your reference to John Quinane’s grandfather, John Quinane leaving Gurtnahalla for Aust in 1852 could I ask your source for this information please.
With thanks
Myriam Scott (nee Kinane)
The Military information on Pte John Quinane came from his records. His link to Gortahalla came from a newspaper snippet in the Tipperary Star as far as I remember.
Regards.
Tom.
Thank you Tom for your reply. I will have to get hold of the Tipperary Star article. I knew John had connections to Gortnahalla but I thought his grandfather was Michael Quinane who died in 1847
Dear Mr Burnell,
I’m writing from the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford in relation to your book “The Wexford war dead” for which we would like to establish name authority headings (for cataloguing). It would be greatly appreciated if you could contact me.
Many thanks,
R. Schroeder
Dear Tom,
I’m writing from Sydney, Australia. I was delighted to find out about your book on the Wicklow War Dead today and was hoping you could please help me out over a family tragedy. There is an old story that my GGG grandfather, Thomas Hennessy (sometimes spelt Hennessey), from Tinahely in Co Wicklow had 3 sons and they were all killed in WWI. It pretty much wiped out the family.
I think I’ve managed to find one of the sons, William, who was a private in the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (no. 15185). He was killed on the first day of the Somme offensive. But I have turned all the records available on-line upside down and have not been able to find out anything else. Are the Hennessy/Hennesseys included in your book (which I cannot get here yet unfortunately)?
Many thanks, JPC.
Hi JPC,
I have passed on your Email address to Tom, No doubt he will contact you in due course.
Regards
Here are the all the Henesseys encounted so far…
HENNESSY, JAMES. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Unit; 2nd Battalion. Date of Death: 23-December-1914. Service No: 8922. Born in Tipperary. Enlisted in Carlow while living in Graigue, Carlow. Killed in Action. Grave or Memorial Reference: I. C. 4. Cemetery: Prowse Point Military Cemetery in Belgium. Also listed under Carlow/Graigue on the Great War Memorial, Milford Street, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow.
HENNESSY, MURLAGH FRANCIS. Rank: Gunner. Regiment or Service: Royal Marine Artillery. Unit: H. M. S. “Lion. ” Killed in action during the Battle of Jutland. H. M. S. Lion, from ‘Naval Operations’ by Sir Julian Corbett, 1923; –…with main and secondary armament in action the German salvoes were being delivered about every twenty seconds, and our ships too were in a forest of waterspouts. It was one of the hottest moments of the action, when every nerve had to be strained to the utmost, and Admiral Beatty, having the enemy well abaft his beam, signalled to the 13th flotilla that it seemed a good opportunity to attack. Five minutes later, while the fight still raged at its hottest, the Lion received a nearly fatal blow. A heavy shell struck Q-turret, entered the gun-house, burst over the left gun, and killed nearly the whole of the guns crews, and it was only the presence of mind and devotion of the officer of the turret, major F. J. Harvey, R. M. L. I. , when almost incapacitated with a mortal wound, that saved the flagship from sudden destruction.
Age at death: 27. Date of Death: 31-May-1916 Service No: RMA/12255. Supplementary information: Son of Arthur Hennessy and Margeret Connors his wife, of Turbotstown, Coole, Co. Westmeath. Native of Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Killed on the first day of the Battle of Jutland. Grave or Memorial Reference: 21. Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial UK.
HENNESSEY, DENIS. Rank: Pte. Regiment or Service: Royal Munster Fusiliers. Unit; 8th Battalion. Date of Death:20-July-1916. Service No:4800. Born in Tralee, County Kerry. Enlisted in London while living in East Finchley, Middlesex. Killed in action. Grave or Memorial Reference: I. C. 7. Cemetery: Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
HENNESSEY, JOHN. Rank: Company Sergeant Major. Regiment or Service: Leinster Regiment. Unit; 2nd Battalion. Date of Death:31-July-1917. Service No:4797(SDGW) 4794(CWGC). Born in Listowel, County Kerry. Enlisted in Tralee. Killed in action. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on Panel 44 on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.
HENNESSY/HENNESSEY, PATRICK. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit: 2nd Battalion. Age at death; 42. Date of Death: 17-February-1917. Service No: 365. Born in Kilmacow, County Kilkenny. Enlisted in Cork while living in Ballyduff, County Waterford. Died. Supplementary information; Son of James and Margaret Hennessy, of Co. Kilkenny; husband of Bridget Hennessy, of Ballyduff S. O, Co. Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: XXI. G. 12. Cemetery; Etaples Military Cemetery in France.
HENNESSY, A P. ( Also listed as PATRICK). Rank: Lance Corporal. Regiment or Service: Leinster Regiment. Unit: “C” Coy. 2nd Bn. Age at death, 19. Date of Death: 31/July/19 17. Born in Navan. Enlisted in Dublin. Killed in Action. Service No: 9959. Supplementary information; Son of Mrs. E. Ryan, of Seffin, Birr, King’s Co.
King’s County Chronicle, August, 1918.
In Memoriam
First Anniversary. —In sad and loving memory of Corps. Patrick Hennessy, Leinster Regiment., killed in action, July 31, 1917, second son of Mrs Ryan, Seffin, Birr, aged 19 years, Deeply regretted.
Grave or Memorial Reference: Has no known grave but is commemorated on Panel 44 on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.
HENNESSY, CHRISTOPHER. Rank: Pte. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Unit; 7th Battalion. Date of Death:19-November-1915. Service No:19370. Born in Tullamore, King’s County. Enlisted in Dublin while living in Tullamore. Died at Sea. (Note; See the article that accompanies Martin Hensey. Hennessy may be Hensey, Author). He is also listed on the Tullamore Roll of Honour as HENSEY, and states that Martin Hensey and Christopher Hensey are brothers. It also says that Martin died in Salonika.
Grave or Memorial Reference: III. D. 97. Cemetery: East Mudros Military Cemetery in Greece.
HENNESSY, HERBERT WILLIAM. Rank: Sergeant. Regiment or Service: Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Unit; 22nd Battalion. Date of Death:17-February-1917. Service No:1233. Born in Birr, King’s County. Enlisted in London while living in London, E. C. Killed in Action. Age at Death;32. Won the Military Medal and is listed in the London Gazette. Supplementary information; Son of John and Elizabeth Hennessy, of Birr, King’s County.
Grave or Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A. Memorial: Thiepval Memorial in France.
HENNESSY, JAMES. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Unit; 2nd Bn. Date of Death: 23-12-1914. Service No: 8922. Born in Tipperary. Enlisted in Carlow while living in Graigue, Carlow. Killed in Action. Grave or Memorial Reference: I. C. 4. Cemetery: Prowse Point Military Cemetery in Belgium.
HENNESSEY, JAMES C, Rank; Private First Class. 61st Infantry Regiment, 5th Division. U. S. Army. Born Cashel on the 15th Sept 1876. Enlisted in Caldwell, New Jersey while living in Humboldt New York. Killed in action 3-11-1918. Buried Plot B Row 14, Grave 6 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France.
Image 70
Picture from Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
HENNESSEY/HENNESSY, MARTIN. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Aukland Infantry Regiment, Embarked with the 31st Reinforcements Aukland Infantry Regiment, A Company on the Vessel ‘Tahiti’ on 16-11-1917. Date of Death: 1-10-1918. Service No: 63871. Age at Death, 35. Martin Hennessy is down as Mr W Hennessy in an article in the Tipperary Star in Oct 1918. A requiem Mass was held in Toomevara one Monday in October 1918 for the repose of his soul. The celebrants were Rev T Dooley, CC, assisted by Rev M O’Connor, CC and the Rev Fr Flynn, PP. Son of Philip and Mary Hennessy of Kilnafinch, Latteragh, Thurles, Ireland. Fathers address is also down as Grennanstown, Toomevara. Killed in Action in Le Chateau in France. Grave or Memorial Reference: V. A. 2. Cemetery: Flesquieres British Cemetery in France.
HENNESSEY/HENNESSY, THOMAS. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Munster Fusiliers. Unit; 8th Bn. Date of Death: 7-9-1916. Service No: 4881. Born in Thurles. Enlisted in Templemore while living in Thurles. Died of wounds. Grave or Memorial Reference: Plot 2, Row C, Grave 39. Cemetery; Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
HENNESSY/HENESSEY, WILLIAM. Rank: Gunner. Regiment or Service: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. Unit; 12th Battery. Date of Death: 12-3-1915. Service No: 28957. Born in Templemore. Enlisted in Exeter. Killed in Action. Grave or Memorial Reference: III. G. 5. Cemetery: Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard Laventie in France.
Waterford Men in the Casualty List.
It is feared that Private M Hartery, Cadet Corps, Royal Irish Regiment, has been killed. His mother received a notification that he had been wounded and was in hospital, the particular hospital not being named. A pal of his wrote home, however, some time ago stating that he had been killed, and yesterday his mother received a letter from Private Hennessy, Waterford, who stated that he was present at his burial.
The following is a letter which Mrs Hartery, Mayor’s Walk, mother of Private Hartery referred to above, has received from the Reverend W. Fitzmaurice, Chaplain to the Forces; –
2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment.
B. E. F. , France.
Dear Mrs Hartery—I am sorry to keep you so long without a reply to your letter, for I have so many to answer and must take them in rotation. Yes, it is true that your son was killed. I myself found his body after the fight, and we buried him together with others of his comrades near the spot where he was killed. We put up a cross with his name on it, and the grave will be cared for. The Graves Registration Commission will able to tell you all about the locality of the grave after the war, as it has been reported to them, and they are charged with the care of it. Your son was killed on the morning of July 5th. Whether he was killed instantly, I cannot say, as I was not near him at the time, but some distance behind. From the position in which I found him, and from his nearness to the enemy (he was only a few yards from the wood he was attacking) I should think he was killed almost instantly. Anyhow, he was a good lad and went to his duties, and a few minutes before he was killed he received the General Absolution from me together with the rest of his platoon, so you have nothing to be anxious about on that score. I offer you my sincerest sympathy in your loss. He has been remembered several times already in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which I have offered up for those who were killed in the battle. —Yours sincerely.
W. Fitzmaurice, S. J. , C. F.
HENNESSY, EDWARD. Rank: Winchman. Regiment or Service: Mercantile Marine. Unit: S. S. “Formby” ( Glasgow ). The ship was lost with all hands and never located during a fierce storm. Age at Death: 32. Date of Death: 16-December-1917. Supplementary information; Son of the late James and Mary Hennessy; husband of Mary Hennessy (nee Culleton ) of 3, Bank Lane, Waterford. Born at New Ross, Co. Wexford. Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial UK. He is also listed on the Formby-Coningbeg Memorial, Adelphi Quay in Waterford City.
HENNESSY/HENNESSEY, JOHN. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Munster Fusiliers. Unit: 2nd Battalion. Age at death; 29. Date of Death: 10-November-1917. Service No: 7099. Born in Waterford. Enlisted in Dundee while living in Dundee. Killed in Action. Supplementary information; Son of Patrick and Mary Hennessy, of 32, Morrison’s Rd, Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: 143 to 144 on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
HENNESSEY/HENNESSY, MICHAEL. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit; 2nd Battalion. Date of Death: 03-December-1915. Age at Death, 23. Service No: 5801. Born in St John’s, Waterford. Enlisted in Waterford. Died at home.
Supplementary information; Son of Michael and Catherine Hennessy, of 5, Gas House Lane, Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: RC. 828. Cemetery: Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, UK.
HENNESSY, MICHAEL. Rank: Able Seaman. Regiment or Service: Mercantile Marine. Unit: S. S. “Lough Fisher” (Barrow). Shelled and sunk by a German submarine 12 miles S. E of Cork. Age at death; 20. Date of Death: 30-March-1918. Supplementary information; Son of John and Margaret Hennessy (nee McNamara), of 7, Thomas Hill, Waterford. Born at Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on the Tower Hill Memorial in the UK.
HENNESSEY, MICHAEL. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit; 2nd Battalion. Date of Death: 22-September-1914. Service No: 10502. Born in Trinity Without, Waterford. Enlisted in Waterford. Died of Wounds. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on the La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre-Memorial in France.
HENNESSY, PATRICK. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Irish Regiment. Unit: 2nd Battalion. Age at death; 42. Date of Death: 17-February-1917. Service No: 365. Born in Kilmacow, County Kilkenny. Enlisted in Cork while living in Ballyduff, County Waterford. Died. Supplementary information; Son of James and Margaret Hennessy, of Co. Kilkenny; husband of Bridget Hennessy, of Ballyduff S. O, Co. Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: XXI. G. 12. Cemetery; Etaples Military Cemetery in France.
HENNESSY, PATRICK. Rank: Carpenter. Regiment or Service: Mercantile Marine. Unit: S. S. “Coningbeg” (Glasgow). Date of Death: 18-December-1917. Torpedoed by German Submarine U-62. There were no survivors. Supplementary information; Son of the late Thomas and Agnes Hennessy; husband of Mary Hennessy (nee Kough), of 28, St. Alphonsus Rd, Waterford. Born at Waterford. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on the Tower Hill Memorial in the UK. He is also listed on the Formby-Coningbeg Memorial, Adelphi Quay in Waterford City.
HENNESSY, EDWARD. Rank: Winchman. Regiment or Service: Mercantile Marine. Unit: S. S. “Formby” ( Glasgow ). The ship was lost with all hands and never located during a fierce storm. Supposed to have been torpedoed by German Submarine U-62. Very little wreckage ever from the Formby but the body of a Stewardess ( Annie O’Callaghan ) was washed up on the Welsh shore. Age at Death: 32. Date of Death: 16-December-1917. Supplementary information; Son of the late James and Mary Hennessy; husband of Mary Hennessy ( nee Culleton ) of 3, Bank Lane, Waterford. Born at New Ross, Co. Wexford. Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial UK.
HENNESSY, JAMES. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Irish Guards.
Unit; 1st Bn. Date of Death: 08-August-1915. Age at Death, 25. Service No: 5054. Born in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. Enlisted in Tamworth, Staffs while living in Baltinglass. Died of wounds. Supplementary information: Son of William and Kate Hennessey, of Chapel Hill, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Grave or Memorial Reference: I. A. 14. Cemetery; Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy in France.
HENNESSY, WILLIAM. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Unit; 11th Bn. Date of Death: 01-July-16, first day of the Battle of the Somme. Age at Death, 22. Service No: 15185. Born in Kilcoman, Co Wicklow. Enlisted in Mullingar while living in Tinahely. Killed in Action. Supplementary information: Son of Thomas Hennessy, of River View, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow. Grave or Memorial Reference: He has no known grave but is listed on Pier and Face 4 D and 5 B on the Theipval Memorial in France.
Regards.
Tom.
Would be grateful to receive any information on John O Shea , 4309 1st Bn Irish Guards KIA on 15 May 1915. Born in Ballylynch, Carrick On Suir, Tipperary 1893. John was my Granduncle. I believe he is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery France.
Thanking you in anticipation.
O’SHEA/SHEA, JOHN. Rank: Private. Regiment or Service: Irish Guards. Unit; 1st Bn. Age at Death: 22. Date of Death: 15-May-1915. Service No: 4309. Born in Carrick-on-Suir and enlisted in Clonmel. Died of wounds at No 2 Field Ambulance. Supplementary information; Son of Walter and Mary O’Shea, of Ballylynch, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. Grave or Memorial Reference: III. D. 1. Cemetery: Bethune Town Cemetery in France.
After his death his effects were received by his mother, Mrs W O’Shea, Ballylinch, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary.
Tom,
Re your book on the Offaly War Dead. I have seen this paragraph in an Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society publication before. What I am interested in is finding out where the historical backup for this came from. The Michael Foley mentioned is my grandfather….and I am trying to track down all historical information I can on him. If you can message me directly and advise I would really appreciate it.
Less than a month before the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, T.R. Dixon, British Army Recruiting Officer for Offaly attended a meeting of the Edenderry Town Commissioners, at which Denis Fay presided over as chairman. After hearing Dixon’s request for more troops, the town council decided to form themselves into a committee to stimulate recruiting in that part of the Kings County. Many questions remain unanswered as to why certain individuals decided to enlist and it may not be as simple as to suggest that economic necessity was the reason why many decided to go to war. Why did 27 year old Patrick Behan, of Edenderry a chair maker, secure in a thriving employment enlist to “fight for the rights of small nations?” His friend and neighbour, an unemployed grocer’s assistant, Michael Foley, then aged twenty two, threw his lot in with the Irish volunteers on Easter Monday 1916 in the G.P.O.
If your look at the bottom of your quote in the book, you will see it comes from the forward. This was kindly written by Dr Ciarán J. Reilly, Secretary, Edenderry Historical Society. You may contact him in Maynooth College on ciaran.j.reilly@nuim.ie
Regards.
Tom.
Some excellent newspapers still exist on microfiche covering Offaly during the Great War period. The King’s County Chronicle, The Kings County Independent, and The Midland Tribune (Tipperary Sentinel and King’s County Vindicator). These can be viewed for free in the Local Studies section in the County Library in Birr. They are very helpful people.
Tom.