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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Dublin => Topic started by: margnip2 on Wednesday 23 September 09 10:53 BST (UK)

Title: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: margnip2 on Wednesday 23 September 09 10:53 BST (UK)
So as not to take over the Custom House thread, I have posted this for those who may be interested.

My granddad joined the IRA in 1917, he then joined the Irish National Army and then in 1942 the RAF.  Gary Deering asked how many men from Ireland who were in the WOI joined the British Armed Forces in WW11.  Hope this helps.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8095110.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3749629.stm
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: deccam on Wednesday 23 September 09 18:19 BST (UK)
Another little known fact about the Irish in WW2 is that thousands deserted the Irish army most of whom then joined the British forces.From what I was told DeValera pardoned them in 1943 so they were able to come home.I have a list of these men if anyone wants a look up.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: Gary Deering on Monday 28 September 09 05:38 BST (UK)
I have to say I love this site, My Great Uncle Christopher Deering was killed in El elemein & my uncle Willie deserted the Irish army & joined the British army & was caught, he spent a year in an army prison for that one !
Deccam if you dont mind have a look & see if theres a William Deering there born 1921, just interestred to see if he is listed as I said above he was caught, so may not be on a pardon list.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: deccam on Monday 28 September 09 18:27 BST (UK)
Gary,there are two Deerings on the list,no William but there is a Christopher.The address for Christopher is 12 Digges Street,Dublin,date of birth: 27/12/1907,former occupation Labourer and the date of dismissal from the army : 8/8/1945.The dismissal date is more or less the same for everyone on the list,bar a few.Funny you should mention about El Alamein,my dad was there at the same time.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: Gary Deering on Monday 28 September 09 18:45 BST (UK)
Hi Deccam, are you telling me that Christopher Deering is listed as deserting the Irish Army to join the British army? it has to be the same person,because his age in the 1911 census is 3.My family never fails to amaze me.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: deccam on Monday 28 September 09 19:11 BST (UK)
Yes Gary,the Christopher Deering at that address is on the list of people dismissed from the defence forces "In Time OF National Emergency" most of these would have joined the British Forces.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: GMac78 on Monday 28 September 09 19:12 BST (UK)
Interesting article here http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/lest-we-forget-they-died-for-our-freedom-1526460.html
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: Gary Deering on Monday 28 September 09 23:43 BST (UK)
Thanks for that Deccam, another funny one a chap that lives a few doors from me, father was also in the battle & wounded, he was a Gordon Highlander the same regiment as Christopher Deering. I have too ask who was the other Deering on the list?

The Kevin Myers article was good, but I have to say I am sure the 2 Deerings that I am related to that served in the British Army in WWII  did not do it for any ideal , but to put food on the tables of there familys. 
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: deccam on Tuesday 29 September 09 16:47 BST (UK)
Gary, the other Deering on the list is a John,with an address in Countess Markievicz House,Townsend St.,Dublin.D.O.B.: 21/12/1905.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: Gary Deering on Tuesday 29 September 09 21:56 BST (UK)
Thanks Deccam, I have met Johns Sons in my line of work ! I am always interested in anyone with the same surname as me.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: MancDeer on Saturday 26 November 16 20:36 GMT (UK)
Hi Gary, Just over and see Christopher Deering was on some list or other. He always felt he was treated badly by the Irish State and served at sea until 1954. In one instance his Ship was blown up in Narvic Sound in 1940. Seven of them managed to swim ashore (Irish Press Dec 1940) including Tom Dixon from Towensend Street. They had to make their way over snowy mountains to Sweden without help from anyone....MancDeer
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: Gary Deering on Sunday 27 November 16 07:18 GMT (UK)
Hi Gary, Just over and see Christopher Deering was on some list or other. He always felt he was treated badly by the Irish State and served at sea until 1954. In one instance his Ship was blown up in Narvic Sound in 1940. Seven of them managed to swim ashore (Irish Press Dec 1940) including Tom Dixon from Towensend Street. They had to make their way over snowy mountains to Sweden without help from anyone....MancDeer

I don`t think your Christopher Deering is my great uncle as my great uncle died in 1942 in El Alamein.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: dathai on Sunday 27 November 16 09:18 GMT (UK)
For reference
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2093413/DEERING,%20CHRISTOPHER

there is also this chap possibly born 21 Dec 1896 To James and Julia Kavanagh
http://www.irishmariners.ie/searchdatabase.php?srch_surname=deering&srch_forename=&srch_identityno=&srch_yob=&submit=Search

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details-civil/adf43b1957671
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: dathai on Sunday 27 November 16 10:49 GMT (UK)
May be of interest
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ix1/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ix2/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ix3/
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: MancDeer on Sunday 27 November 16 11:27 GMT (UK)
Thanks a lot Dathi. You guys do great work and keep it up. It takes a while to sort things out but this info will end up on quite a few computers.
Title: Re: Men from Irish Free State and WW11
Post by: DarrenO on Tuesday 29 November 16 12:50 GMT (UK)
Is there any particular site that provides a database for Irish men (or in general) that served in the British Army in WW2, I believe there is a Rourke from Carlow that's related that fought in this war.

Regards
Darren