Th
urles author Tom Burnell colaberates with his brother Seamus Burnell to produce his second book entitled The Wicklow War Dead.
This new book contains a full record, for the first time, of some 840 soldiers, officers, sailors, airmen, nursing sisters from County Wicklow, 752 from WW1, together with the names of casualties who listed their next of kin as residents of Co.Wicklow. Casualties named, died during WW1 and WW2 while in the service of the British Army, the Australian Army, the NewZealand Army, the American Army, the Indian Army, the Nursing Service, the Canadian Army, Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, the South African Army, the Royal Navy and lastly the Mercantile Marine.
There were seven children born to Patrick (Pakie) and Peggy (Margaret) Burnell in Finglas, Dublin during the 1950s. Margaret, Paddy, Tom, Seamus, Paul, Greg and Michelle and four of the lads served in the Irish Defence Forces here at home, on the South Armagh, Monaghan, Cavan, and Louth borders, during the ‘troubles’ and overseas with the United Nations on peace keeping duties. Their relations have fought in World War 1 and World War 2 and two of them died during the Irish Civil War. It is therefore no mystery that the author and his brother still hold an interest in all things military.
Like most Dublin families at least one of their parents came from outside The Pale, so it was not surprising that every one of Pakie Burnell’s children moved out of Dublin to the countryside to enjoy a more peaceful and a slower pace of life. Some things are taken for granted by people who reside in rural areas, not least of which is that they are surrounded by history and solitude.
This new book contains not only all the casualties of two World Wars buried in County Wicklow but also includes those who were not native to Irish soil. The disproportionate amount of Wicklow casualties sent to watery graves by German torpedoes, mostly men from Arklow in Co.Wicklow, were one of the major surprises in this research, as were the number of unfortunate airmen who came to rest here in the Garden of Ireland from places far afield. Wicklow men were involved in every action of both wars on land, sea and in the air. Some of them died of their wounds in England after receiving a ‘blighty wound’. However the majority of them died on varying battlefields. A surprising amount of these have no known graves and remain just a name on a cold stone memorial.
If no one-else remembers these unfortunate men and women, their sacrifice will at least be recorded thanks to this little book ‘ The Wicklow War Dead’.
George .
I came across this item and thought it would be of interest.
Regards.
Tom.
Limerick Chronicle, August, 1915.
A soldier’s Welcome. Sergeant Somers, 1st Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been recommended a V.C for holding a trench with the aid of grenades against the Turks in the Dardanelles, on Saturday evening on a brief visit to his parents. A large crowd of people met him at the station, and accorded him an enthusiastic reception. Later a public meeting was held, presided over by Lord Dunally, Lieutenant of the County, who read an address of welcome. Several speakers congratulated Somers on his gallantry, and Mr B B Trench, said his Victoria Cross was the first to be won by a native of Tipperay.
Lord Dunalley served as Lord Lieutenant of County Tipperary from 1905 to 1922. Would not be first Victoria Cross won by a native of Tipperay. However, it’s interesting that the name Somers has associations with the John Dunne/Dwan family I spoke to you about. However I am sure this article refers to James Somers born in Belturbet, County Cavan and buried with full military honours in Modreeny Church of Ireland cemetery between Borrisokane and Cloughjordan, Tipperary. I visited his headstone which reads “He stood and defended. The Lord wrought a great wonder.” The late Henry Sommers related to the Dwan Family could be a relative. Remember the Moyaliffe house/Captain Kemmis connection with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. Benjamin Bloomfield Trench lived at Cloughjordan, County Tipperary also. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Monaghan.
Hello George.
I came across this and thought your readers might like it. It was written by an Athlone man in January 1915.
Munsters Officers “Absolutely Splendid” Sergeant Major’s Adoration. Priests Heroism.
A sergeant Major of the 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers writes home from the front.
“The Battalion had a very nasty knock on Christmas Eve. I had some narrow escapes myself. However, I got through all right with the exception of a slight wound on the knuckle of the forefinger, right hand, hardly worth speaking about.
At present we do forty-eight hours in the trenches and forty-eight hours rest. The weather is very wet, and the trenches are in a terrible state with water. Still, one never hears a grumble. The cold is kept away with a good issue of rum and a change of clothing. Everything imaginable is done to keep us fit—no lack of anything.
The officers share the same hardships as the men, and in fact, a little more. They are absolutely splendid, everyone of them. This will just tell you the class they are.
Colonel Bent got wounded trying to save a wounded private who lay in front of his trench, and when the stretcher-bearers went for him he refused to be removed till all the wounded men were taken first.
It was the same with major Thompson. He lay outside his trench all day wounded, and still issued orders to his men till he died from exposure.
Major Day’s last words were; “Write to my wife and let her know I died a happy death.”
Captain O’Brien left his bit of cover and gave it to a private, and was killed a few minutes afterwards.
Other officers were killed and wounded during the advance; still the men went forward and took the trenches at the point of the bayonet thanks to our brave colonel, one of the best officers living — he is small but good. The regiment was specially mentioned for their work, and they deserve every credit. It was a splendid bit of work; even the German machine-guns did not make us stop.
The order rang out; “Advance at the double, men.” You should have seen how the order was obeyed! I could not find words to express how everything was carried out. We may have suffered a bit, but the Germans suffered a lot more. When you have officers like those I have mentioned fear nothing. A man was killed to-day, who volunteered to take a corporal’s body out of the firing line.
Brave Tipperary Priest.
We have a priest attached to the battalion, father Gleeson. A Thurles man. He said Mass for us on Christmas Day actually in the firing line. Where his little altar was peppered with bullets. He is a grand priest, and knows no fear. He is never finished doing all in his power for everyone, even those who are not of the same religion. It is only natural that this Tipperary man should be brave, he is here now, only fifty yards from the trenches, with some neat crossed which he made himself to place over a few of our brave Fusiliers who died last night.
Nothing gives him greater pleasure than saying a Mass in the open in cold and rain, or hearing confession in some old barn that has been half blown away by German shell-fire. He even went to the little church near the village where we are, and took two statues out of it. Everything in it was blown to atoms except the altar.
A sergeant major gave him a “telling off” over going in such dangerous places. However, we never practice what we preach, as the sergeant major parades the same road every day with his upright way and never seems to “bob.” His main worry is, “Have the men in the trenches enough ammunition?” he is a fine fellow and you can always be sure of a cup of tea at four every morning if he is about. All the old hands who left Aldershot with the battalion are dwindling away.
Our supplies of rum have just arrived. We are not very short, as the South Wales Borderers left two jars after them last night.”
Thanks Tom, this puts 21st century greed into real perspective.
Hi Tom
I have just ordered your book but it hasn’t arrived yet. I did get to see it a while ago. I am wondering where the photo of William Byrne came from and whether you have any more information on how this man died.
I have his records. He is the only Irish Guard to die on 1 Dec 1914 that day. It is actually unlikely that that is the day of his death. The Irish Guards were in barracks since about 23 of November. In such circumstances it is strange how no body was found. We assume that he died a while before this in battle but the 1 Dec is the day they came to that conclusion rather than when he actually died.
The family have no photo’s of him. We have assumed that the army had the photo. However a copy was not sent with his records. If you have any further info we would be delighted. I have already spoken with Irish Guards HQ and read Kippling.
Brid Ni Ghriofa (Grand niece)
Tom, I have read some of your work and research and fair play to you, ye auld heur. Tim.
Good man Tim. You must be an very old man now. Friend me on facebook and make contact.
Cheers.
Tom.