Name of soldier : Salvator Gavillet Name of descendent : Maria Smith Like many, Salvator Gavillet enlisted for the Great War in the belief that he was boosting the case for Irish independence and Home Rule. However, when he came home, the atmosphere had changed and a much more separatist movement led by Irish RepublicansContinue reading “Salvator Gavillet – Home Ruler who fought at the Somme but felt forgotten by Ireland”
Tag Archives: Somme
John Walker – With the Tyneside Irish at the Somme
Name of relative : John Walker Your own name : Helen Dje John Walker’s story is a good illustration of the struggles and opportunities of working class life in Ireland and England in the late 19th century. From Kilkenny, John moved to Durham in England where he enlisted with the Tyneside Irish Battalion and foughtContinue reading “John Walker – With the Tyneside Irish at the Somme”
Willie Brazil – From Great Western Square to the Western Front
Above : A young William Brazil in his Royal Artillery uniform Name of soldier : Willie Brazil Name of descendent : Enda Carr Teacher Enda Carr lives on Monck Place, Phibsborough, north Dublin. This is just beside Great Western Square where his grand uncle William Brazil, a veteran of the Somme, lived until well intoContinue reading “Willie Brazil – From Great Western Square to the Western Front”
John Hussey – From Sneem, County Kerry to Guillemont at the Somme
Above : Vincent Casey with Eamon Delaney, holding the medals of Private John Hussey. Name of soldier : John Hussey Name of descendent : Vincent Casey Vincent Casey lives in a beautiful and dramatic landscape : near Sneem on the scenic Ring of Kerry. On one side, are the green mountains and, on the other,Continue reading “John Hussey – From Sneem, County Kerry to Guillemont at the Somme”
Michael Scully – From the Liberties to the Somme
Name of soldier : Michael Scully Descendent : John McDonnell John McDonnell must have been the happiest street cleaner in North Dublin before he stepped down from Dublin City Council in 2017. He was a regular sight to be seen around Phibsborough crossroads in the morning pushing his dust cart and lifting people’s spirits withContinue reading “Michael Scully – From the Liberties to the Somme”
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”
The Lion and the Shamrock 