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Dublin / Re: members of "E"Co.2nd Battalion,Dublin Brigade
« on: Thursday 28 February 13 21:44 GMT (UK) »
Hello,
New to this forum but just saw this subject and had to contribute. My Great Grandfather was in this company in 1916. His name was James Humter and lived in 13 Sackville Avenue, Ballybough.
In front of me I have a draft copy of a letter he wrote to the Secretary of the Pensions Committee in the late 30's or early 40's. My father had this copy and gave it to me shortly before he died. The letter is basically an account of his activities during the 1916 Rising. He mentions a Gerry Houlihan who he says stood him down from an attack on the Magazine on the Sunday. I'm assuming this was the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. By coincedence my Father was involved in the attack on the fort in December 1939.
He then mentions that he proceeded with a Tom Ennis to Father Matthew Park and formed up under Captai S Wafer to be sent to different positions. His section under Captain F Henderson took up position in Lambe's Public House, which they held until Tuesday evening. They were then order to the G.P.O. where they were addressed by Padraig Pearse.
He also mentions a Brigadier General Connolly who was shot when they were returning from a sortie in Henry Street. They evacuated the G.P.O. on Friday evening to a new position in Moore Street. He says "Had I succeeded in my endeavour to force an opening in Moore Lane there would not have been any surrender in this quarter".
After the surrender he was sent to England and detained in Knutsford for 6 weeks and moved to Frongoch and was released about July. I was in the National Archives last Friday and found an index of internees from the Rising and found his card, according to which he was released on 27-July-1916. Unfortunately the Archives don't have the file related to the internees.
He then metions other activities after 1916 including attending a meeting at the back of Clonliffe Road to reorganise the forces. He says he was transferred to the Engineering Section. His duties included routine mobilising, drilling and repairs to weapons. This continued until hostilities broke out again, I'm assuming here he is referring to the War of Independence. His home was raided by British Forces, including military and Black and Tans, and he was forced to go on the run.
He then mentions the effect all this activity had on his wife. He says she was thrown out on the streets when he was deported in 1916 and then had to seek refuge later from the continuous raids on the house.
While on the run his duties were mainly confined to patrol works. He says he received from Sean Russel plans and a model of a Bomb Thrower for use on attack on Dublin Castle. He also mentions removing ammunition with W. Vernon, I think, from a house in Spencer Street, Nth Strand, shorlty before a raid by Military Forces.
He relates these stories to show he was involved up to the time of the truce. He says that he los a good promotional and pensionable job with the Port & Docks in 1916.
In closing he says " During the period of 1916 to 1921 I was a unit in the Irish Volunteer Force, as such I claim pension rights duly submissive to your judgement. I don't think I require to be a Michael O'Leary to obtain same. The position of a subordinate to obey orders sums up my person. The individual acts may add lustre but nothing denies the rights of claims of an obedient Volunteer".
He signs the letter, "Yours in obedience, James Hunter".
Amazing to see Michael O'Leary was involved even back then !!!
I'm always fascinated every time I read the letter, sometimes I can see him in some of the situations. It's having history in my hands. My father told me he eventually got his Pension, but he died shortly afterwards in 1947. I keep meaning to write to the relevant authorities to see if I can get a copy of the actual letter he sent and see if there is additional information.
I also have the two medals he received in 1941, in recognition of his contribution to the the Rising and the War of Independence. I'm sure they must have some monetary value but I would never contemplate selling them no matter how bad things get. I llok forward to passing them on to my own son in years to come so his memory can live on. I often wonder if he saw the mess the country is now would he consider the sacrifices he and his comrades made worth it.
Didn't mean to type in so much when I started, apologies.
New to this forum but just saw this subject and had to contribute. My Great Grandfather was in this company in 1916. His name was James Humter and lived in 13 Sackville Avenue, Ballybough.
In front of me I have a draft copy of a letter he wrote to the Secretary of the Pensions Committee in the late 30's or early 40's. My father had this copy and gave it to me shortly before he died. The letter is basically an account of his activities during the 1916 Rising. He mentions a Gerry Houlihan who he says stood him down from an attack on the Magazine on the Sunday. I'm assuming this was the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. By coincedence my Father was involved in the attack on the fort in December 1939.
He then mentions that he proceeded with a Tom Ennis to Father Matthew Park and formed up under Captai S Wafer to be sent to different positions. His section under Captain F Henderson took up position in Lambe's Public House, which they held until Tuesday evening. They were then order to the G.P.O. where they were addressed by Padraig Pearse.
He also mentions a Brigadier General Connolly who was shot when they were returning from a sortie in Henry Street. They evacuated the G.P.O. on Friday evening to a new position in Moore Street. He says "Had I succeeded in my endeavour to force an opening in Moore Lane there would not have been any surrender in this quarter".
After the surrender he was sent to England and detained in Knutsford for 6 weeks and moved to Frongoch and was released about July. I was in the National Archives last Friday and found an index of internees from the Rising and found his card, according to which he was released on 27-July-1916. Unfortunately the Archives don't have the file related to the internees.
He then metions other activities after 1916 including attending a meeting at the back of Clonliffe Road to reorganise the forces. He says he was transferred to the Engineering Section. His duties included routine mobilising, drilling and repairs to weapons. This continued until hostilities broke out again, I'm assuming here he is referring to the War of Independence. His home was raided by British Forces, including military and Black and Tans, and he was forced to go on the run.
He then mentions the effect all this activity had on his wife. He says she was thrown out on the streets when he was deported in 1916 and then had to seek refuge later from the continuous raids on the house.
While on the run his duties were mainly confined to patrol works. He says he received from Sean Russel plans and a model of a Bomb Thrower for use on attack on Dublin Castle. He also mentions removing ammunition with W. Vernon, I think, from a house in Spencer Street, Nth Strand, shorlty before a raid by Military Forces.
He relates these stories to show he was involved up to the time of the truce. He says that he los a good promotional and pensionable job with the Port & Docks in 1916.
In closing he says " During the period of 1916 to 1921 I was a unit in the Irish Volunteer Force, as such I claim pension rights duly submissive to your judgement. I don't think I require to be a Michael O'Leary to obtain same. The position of a subordinate to obey orders sums up my person. The individual acts may add lustre but nothing denies the rights of claims of an obedient Volunteer".
He signs the letter, "Yours in obedience, James Hunter".
Amazing to see Michael O'Leary was involved even back then !!!
I'm always fascinated every time I read the letter, sometimes I can see him in some of the situations. It's having history in my hands. My father told me he eventually got his Pension, but he died shortly afterwards in 1947. I keep meaning to write to the relevant authorities to see if I can get a copy of the actual letter he sent and see if there is additional information.
I also have the two medals he received in 1941, in recognition of his contribution to the the Rising and the War of Independence. I'm sure they must have some monetary value but I would never contemplate selling them no matter how bad things get. I llok forward to passing them on to my own son in years to come so his memory can live on. I often wonder if he saw the mess the country is now would he consider the sacrifices he and his comrades made worth it.
Didn't mean to type in so much when I started, apologies.