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John Downes – From Eccles Place to Suvla Bay and Palestine

Name of soldier : John Downes Descendent : Dick Wynne Dick Wynne is a sprightly and dapper 82 year old man who could pass for a man ten years younger, or more. He lives in Ashtown, North Dublin and used to work with the Office of Public Works, tending to public parks and monuments. WhenContinue reading “John Downes – From Eccles Place to Suvla Bay and Palestine”

Thomas Hennessy – From Pimlico to the trenches

Name of soldier : Thomas Hennessy Descendent : Sean Maher Until it recently closed, the small Post Office on Dublin’s Berkeley Road was overseen by Sean Maher, a friendly figure who always looked out for the many old people and welfare recipients who used his post office. Berkeley Road is like a street in aContinue reading “Thomas Hennessy – From Pimlico to the trenches”

John Nolan – Fighting the Bulgarians in Greece

Name of soldier : John Nolan Descendent : Fergus Curran The Balkans Theatre is one of the less well known aspects of World War One, at least in the popular imagination. It is also known as the Macedonian Front, or the Salonika campaign – after areas associated with this part of the war. Basically, theContinue reading “John Nolan – Fighting the Bulgarians in Greece”

James Murphy – From Dorset Street to Salonika

Name of soldier : James Murphy Descendent : Kathleen Leydon Kathleen Leydon is a woman steeped in Ireland’s experience of the First World War. Her grandfather was killed in Salonika, Greece fighting in the Balkans, while the grandfather of her late husband, Tommy, was killed by a German shell in 1918. Tommy had been veryContinue reading “James Murphy – From Dorset Street to Salonika”

Joe Richardson – from the Great War to Great Western Square

Name of soldier : Joe Richardson Descendent : Eileen Richardson Eileen Richardson is a strong, sparkling woman, typical of the Cabra spirit. Her background is also typical of the area, which was expanded dramatically in the 1930s to rehouse people from the north inner city. Eileen is originally from a tenement on Buckingham Street, ofContinue reading “Joe Richardson – from the Great War to Great Western Square”

Charles Campling – a pastor in the trenches

Soldier’s name : Charles Campling Descendent : Susan Dawson Susan Dawson is the founder and chairperson of Phibsborough Village Tidy Towns (PVTT), an active community group for this important North Dublin city area. As well as tidy ups and flower planting, PVTT organises biodiversity and cultural events, such as a Bloomsday reading in the localContinue reading “Charles Campling – a pastor in the trenches”

Patrick McCormack – From Patrick Street to the Somme

Name of soldier : Patrick McCormack Descendent : Tony O’Neill Tony O’Neil lives at the top of Monck Place, a pleasant side street linking the main Phibsborough Road to Great Western Square. His address, at No 18, was once a well known one for model railway collectors, not just in Ireland but in the UKContinue reading “Patrick McCormack – From Patrick Street to the Somme”

Frank Thornely – The man in the painting

Name of soldier : Frank Thornely Descendent : Lucinda Thornely In a famous painting, which now hangs in City Hall in Belfast, Frank Thornely is depicted, with his arm raised, leading the charge of the 36th Ulster Division at the Somme on 1 July 1916. The image is especially iconic for Ulster Unionists. The casualtiesContinue reading “Frank Thornely – The man in the painting”

Daniel Donfield – serving in the desert with Lawrence

Soldier’s name : Daniel Donfield Descendent : Kenneth Donfield T. E. Lawrence, pictured above in traditional Arab dress, is one of the most famous figures in military history. Popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia, he fought in the desert during World War One with the Arabs against the occupying Turks, who were German allies. LawrenceContinue reading “Daniel Donfield – serving in the desert with Lawrence”

Hugh Bredin – from Leitrim to two world wars

Soldier’s name : Hugh Bredin Descendent : Deaglán de Bréadún Deaglán de Bréadún is an author and journalist. For many years, he was an Irish Times correspondent, covering the Northern Ireland peace process and international affairs. He is the author of The Far Side of Revenge – Making Peace in Northern Ireland (2001, and 2008).Continue reading “Hugh Bredin – from Leitrim to two world wars”