One minute after Britain formally declared war against Germany, which took effect on September 3rd, 1939, a Blenheim IV of No 139 Squadron took off to fly the first sortie of the war for the Royal Air Force. Same was a photo-reconnaissance operation. In the future these aircraft were to become involved in the defence of London and would serve with Coastal Command in anti-shipping, reconnaissance, and a variety of other roles, right up until 1942.
Pictures L-R (1) Laurence Slattery, Littleton Thurles, Co. Tipperary, pictured in a Berlin POW hospital bed. (Celtic studies expert & Nazi propaganda radio broadcaster Dr. Hans Hartmann is to be seen standing on the left of his bed). Picture (2) Rare picture of Laurence Slattery after WW II, with a violin case under his arm. Picture (3) A Bristol Blenheim IV, which Laurence Slattery navigated. Picture (4) Today, the once home of Laurence (Larry) Slattery, and his father Michael Slattery (a National School Teacher), situated in the townsland of Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The fighter version of the Blenheim IV aircraft normally carried four machine guns in the bomb bay, while the standard crew would comprise of a pilot; a navigator/bomb-aimer; and a wireless operator/gunner. The navigator would sit in the nose of the aircraft at a plotting table, situated just below the port side of the canopy.
On September 4th 1939, just one day later, Laurence (Known locally by the shortened name of Larry) Slattery, a native of Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, took off on a Bristol Blenheim IV. His aircraft was later shot down over the sea at Wilhemshaven, west of Hamburg, latter a coastal town in Lower Saxony, Germany, while attempting to drop leaflets; as confirmed by Irish Military Archives.
The aircraft’s pilot, Willie Murphy, a native of Mitchelstown, Co Cork, died some days later from his injuries, whilst Larry Slattery survived, sustaining wounds which included a broken foot and a broken jaw, latter obtained when his face struck a machine gun-turret. The pilot, Murphy would become the first recorded British fatality of World War II, and Larry Slattery from Littleton village, would became the first British Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) to be captured by the Germans.
Two most enjoyable church music events are taking place over the next 7 days for which attendance by the public is highly recommended.
Cathedral of The Assumption, Thurles.
This Sunday evening, (December 3rd), Thurles Cathedral Choir and Clonmel Concert Orchestra will hold a Gala music evening at 8.00pm sharp, in the Cathedral of The Assumption here in Cathedral Street, Thurles. All are heartily invited to attend this programme of sacred and classical music; for which admission is totally free. (Donations however will be welcome on the night).
Sacred Heart Church, Upperchurch, Thurles.
“O Holy Night”
Award-winning multi-platinum, Irish, singer-songwriter and Roman Catholic priest Fr. Liam Lawton, will perform in concert at the Sacred Heart Church, Upperchurch, Thurles, on Saturday night next, (December 9th). Doors will open at 7.00pm, with the concert commencing sharp at 8.00pm.
Note Please: In relation to the latter event, no seating will be Reserved and Tickets costing €20 are available from the Parish Centre or from Fr. Tony, Tel: 087 2608915.
A study into homelessness, funded by the present minority, coalition, Irish government, has found that homeless people are more likely to believe in God, than non-homeless people, which a member of the Independent Alliance today claimed; “This beggars belief”.
The study also reveals for the first time that long periods spent living outdoors leads to better quality eyesight, which Ophtalmologists now believe is the reason why you never see homeless people queuing up to buy spectacles at Specsavers.
The study goes on to strongly recommend that homeless people, when given ‘change for a cuppa’ should apportion a percentage of this ‘granted loose coinage’ towards the cost of purchasing a kettle and teabags, as such a speculation could be beneficial to a longer term economical investment, in their futures.
With 81% of all accidents happening in the home, the report fully recognises that this is welcome news for all those, almost 9,000 persons, currently found to be in a homeless situation.
A new scheme for helping the homeless will be commenced by the Irish government starting on Monday night next.
Politicians and local councillors will be authorised to invite homeless people to take part in a simple quiz. If they answer the single question correctly, they will be in with a chance of receiving one million pounds. According to the Irish Minister for Hardship and Homeless Persons an example of the type of questions to be asked are, “What is €2.50 + €2.50?”
If the homeless person answers €5.00, they will immediately be given a €5.00 note with which to buy a National Lottery Ticket. This scheme is now expected to be watched closely by other countries, also experiencing even greater homelessness on their streets.
Meanwhile, people with houses are being encouraged strongly to assist those less fortunate homeless people this Christmas, to find the nearest shelters. The study / report recommends that the unfortunate latter should be directed to follow the first bus that they observe driving past.
He was born 77 years ago today, November 17th, 1940, into a Dublin city working-class household, living at No. 1. Lattimore Cottages, Sheriff Street, the son of a of Jacob’s Biscuit Factory employee.
In his late teens, in 1958, he would move to England, undertaking various manual jobs including; steel fixing on a building site, a vacuum cleaner salesman and an oil barrel cleaner.
But it was as a musician and singer that he was to attract world wide attention. Playing in the style of Pete Seeger and Tommy Makem, he undeniably became one of Ireland’s greatest folk singers. Yes, we speak of the Irish singer, folk musician and actor, Luke Kelly, who alas passed away on January 30th 1984, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
His final resting place is to be found in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, with his grave marker bearing the simply inscription: Luke Kelly – Dubliner.
The Unquiet Grave
The wind doth blow today my love, a few small drops of rain. Never have I had but one true love, in cold clay she is lain. I’ll do as much for my true love, as any young man may. I’ll sit and mourn all on her grave, a twelve month and a day.
The twelve month and the day being gone, a voice spoke from the deep. Who is it sits all on my grave and will not let me sleep? ‘Tis I ’tis I, thine own true love who sits upon your grave, For I crave one kiss from your sweet lips and that is all I seek.
You crave one kiss from my clay cold lips but my breath is earthy strong, Had you one kiss from my clay cold lips, your time would not be long. My time be long, my time be short, tomorrow or today, May God in heaven have all my soul, but I’ll kiss your lips of clay.
See down in yonder garden green Love, where we used to walk. The sweetest flower that ever grew is withered to the stalk. The stalk is withered dry my love, so will our hearts decay, So make yourself content my love, till death calls you away.
Canadian Rocker Neil Young has announced that he will release his vast archive of music for anyone to listen to online, for free next month.
The 72-year-old music legend announced this information on Facebook on November 11th; stating that his archive will open, the same day his new album “The Visitor” is released.
Hi there,
December 1st will be a big day for me. The Visitor will be coming to your town. I will be going to my town. You will be able to hear me and see me. My archive will open on that same day, a place you can visit and experience every song I have ever released in the highest quality your machine will allow. It’s the way it’s supposed to be. In the beginning, everything is free. Lots of Love, Neil
This music archive dates back to 1963, when Neil made his first recording in Canada.
The Album “The Visitor” will be Young’s second studio album, recorded with “Promise of the Real,” the band headed up by Lukas Nelson (Son of the 84 year old American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor and activist Willie Nelson.)
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Two most enjoyable church music events are taking place over the next 7 days for which attendance by the public is highly recommended.
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