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Messages - striker

Pages: [1] 2
1
Dublin / Gaining access to the Grangegorman Community Museum Records
« on: Tuesday 03 August 10 09:22 BST (UK)  »
Looking for pointers

My great grandfather was a patient of Grangegorman (Richmond Aslyum) Hospital in Dublin following his experiences and mental illness he sustained as a British Soldier during WWI. I've emailed and written to the Grangegorman Community Museum (grangegorman.ie) and have not received much back.

Has anyone any suggestion on gaining access to their records.

I've also written to St Brendan's Hospital and got the official HSE response - That they are looking into their database.

Striker


2
Dublin / Re: Capt J L Hardy - F Coy Auxiliaries, 1920, 1921
« on: Tuesday 29 June 10 22:47 BST (UK)  »
Hi all, Striker here.

From my grandfather's (Patrick Lawson) witness statement, he had a brief encounter with a Capt Hardy from Dublin Castle on November 23rd 1920. In a nutshell (without retyping the statement), he was a Second Lieutenant with F Company, 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade. He was in Lourdes House (Street unknown - though probably North Dublin Inner City) when he and a number of other volunteers were counting monies collected in Croke Park on 'Bloody Sunday'. Between 7.15 and 8pm (approx), the premises was raided by Tans and Auxiliaries and all present were arrested. A Capt Hardy interrogated those present and a Major King was in charge of the British Raiding Party. Hardy roughed up my grandfather, tying to get any information out of him, but to no avail. The IRA captives were taken to Dublin Castle for further interrogation and my grandfather was moved to Beggars Bush and eventually to Arbour Hill before he was released in February 1921.

From his statement, it seems that Hardy was probably out for 'Blood' following the 'Bloody Sunday' killings.

On a side note, my grandfather held the company roll (a copybook containing everyone's address, employment and what weapons each held). It happened that he wasn't searched and he destroyed the roll once he was in Dublin Castle by eating the written pages and flushing the rest down the toilet. He was helped by a PJ Ryan, the Company Intelligence Officer.

Hope this helps.

Striker

3
Dublin / Re: Patrick Lawson - a member of "The Squad"
« on: Tuesday 29 June 10 22:24 BST (UK)  »
Hi all, Striker here.

The following text is what my grandfather, Patrick Lawson said about his involvement in 'Bloody Sunday' in his witness statement. At the time he was a member of F Company, 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade and his Company Commander was Paddy Holohan. He did not join 'The Squad' until March 1921.

His exact text reads:

Bloody Sunday.
'On the night before Bloody Sunday, 21st November, 1920 Paddy Holohan, our Coy O/C. instructed us to present the following morning at 41 Parnell Square at ten minutes past eight. He told us that we were to carry our guns. Six of us were detailed and reported next morning at the appointed time. Paddy Holohan arrived and told us to go home as the job had been called off. The only information he gave me was that we were to have gone to some house in Phibsboro'. He just mentioned this in a casual conversation afterwards when the results of Bloody Sunday were known.'

Hope that helps.

Striker

4
Dublin / Re: Patrick Lawson - a member of "The Squad"
« on: Sunday 13 June 10 10:08 BST (UK)  »
Hi All

Striker here.

Sorry for my absence.

Got a bit distracted researching another relative who served in World War One with the British Army.

Ref: Patrick Lawson and "The Squad". I'll check his witness statement to what he wrote about Bloody Sunday.

Striker


5
Dublin / Re: Micheal Collins and 'The Squad'.
« on: Saturday 21 November 09 19:33 GMT (UK)  »
Hi Alan

Reference a Edward Byrne who fought with Collins during the the period 1916-22, I'm reading a book, entitled Michael Collins's Intelligence War, written by Michael T Foy and published by Sutton Publishing. In does mention an Eddie Byrne working with a Vinnie Byrne on a job! The author also used a number of 'Witness Statements' now held in Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin (Viewing is by appointment only).

My uncle does recall my grandfather, Patrick Lawson having a old IRA friend - Vinnie Byrne and they both use to go a a old IRA club in Dublin City during the 50s, 60s and early 70s.

Reference the Byrne family in James St! You should check out the 1911 census online to get the names of Eddie Byrne's parents and siblings. Like you, my great grand father was a George Byrne and I'm having difficulty in locating his Dublin address in 1911. Ironically, he joined the British Army in 1914 (I think) and the family folklore states that he fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Striker

6
Dublin / Re: Free State Army operations in Munster during the Civil War
« on: Wednesday 21 October 09 19:46 BST (UK)  »
Collins 22

Correct and Right. It is the same Patrick Lawson. Did you know him and his family or did you come across his address from research!

Striker

7
Dublin / Re: Free State Army operations in Munster during the Civil War
« on: Monday 12 October 09 22:13 BST (UK)  »
Thanks

I have seen the documentary and alas it doesn't throw any light on the subject.

Striker

8
Dublin / Re: Free State Army operations in Munster during the Civil War
« on: Friday 09 October 09 02:53 BST (UK)  »
Collins22

I have a photo of my grandfather as a Freestate officer in the early 20s. He was demobbed I think in 1925 or so, though he was a volunteer during the Emergency.

He died in 1973 and is buried in Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin.

I'll try and get that photo to you over the weekend.

For your info. There is a book entitled The Squad written by a T Dwyer (I think). Google the book. I had a quick glance at it in a bookshop recently and the author even used my grandfather witness statement as a reference.

Striker

9
Dublin / Free State Army operations in Munster during the Civil War
« on: Tuesday 29 September 09 23:51 BST (UK)  »
Hi All

I'm currently doing a bit of research on my Grandfather, Patrick Lawson who was part of the Squad, IRA Dublin Active Service Unit and Dublin Guard.

I have a some material on him (photographs, witness statement and medals) and know he was demobbed in the mid-20s, though he served again during The Emergency (1939-46).

As a Pro-Treaty man and a former member of Michael Collins' Squad he served as an officer in the Free State Army, albeit at a junior rank.

During the Civil War, Pro-Treaty forces deployed into Munster from the sea and I believe my Grandfather was part of a Dublin unit under the command of Paddy Daly, a senior Free State officer and former leader of The Squad.

Does anyone know the unit designations, commanders and areas of operations of the Pro-Treaty forces that served in Munster during the Civil War?

I am very aware that Pro-Treaty forces operating in Munster during the Civil War could have participated in some nasty tactics against the local population and Anti-Treaty forces.

Any suggestions, guidance or pointers welcomed.

Striker



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