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Dublin / Re: Micheal Collins and 'The Squad'.
« on: Monday 23 November 09 11:29 GMT (UK) »
Hi Striker,
Thanks for the info', I'll order a copy of that book from my local library. I don't know if you've tried this avenue but it's possible to get information Under the (Irish) Freedom of Information Act from the Military Pension 'people' (I think they're based in Sligo, i'll have a look for the address in my papers and post it here later this week - in my experience they were not 'overly' helpful but they did provide photocopies of his Military Pension Application once i'd 'jumped through the correct hoops' - i applied using my Mother's details as she was my Grandfather's next-of-kin and i think any application had to come from that person themselves or their next-of-kin so you may have to get your uncle to sign any application) - my Grandfather applied for a pension for his IRA/IRB military service during the 1916-1924 period and, in spite of a fairly comprehensive raft of evidence and testimonials indicating he was active from 1916 onwards, it was only awarded from 1919 'Service' onwards (I'm not sure what 'side' my Grandfather was on in the 1921-24 Civil War and suspect that there may have been a 'political' decision to marginalise those on the 'wrong side' and this may have 'cost him' some pension when he applied for it) which always rankled with him afterwards.
I can appreciate the irony of your great grandfather joining the British army - my grandfather had a 1914-1919 Merchant Navy Medal from the British Government and also a 1917-1921 Service Medal from the Irish Government!
Best of luck in your searches.
Alan
Thanks for the info', I'll order a copy of that book from my local library. I don't know if you've tried this avenue but it's possible to get information Under the (Irish) Freedom of Information Act from the Military Pension 'people' (I think they're based in Sligo, i'll have a look for the address in my papers and post it here later this week - in my experience they were not 'overly' helpful but they did provide photocopies of his Military Pension Application once i'd 'jumped through the correct hoops' - i applied using my Mother's details as she was my Grandfather's next-of-kin and i think any application had to come from that person themselves or their next-of-kin so you may have to get your uncle to sign any application) - my Grandfather applied for a pension for his IRA/IRB military service during the 1916-1924 period and, in spite of a fairly comprehensive raft of evidence and testimonials indicating he was active from 1916 onwards, it was only awarded from 1919 'Service' onwards (I'm not sure what 'side' my Grandfather was on in the 1921-24 Civil War and suspect that there may have been a 'political' decision to marginalise those on the 'wrong side' and this may have 'cost him' some pension when he applied for it) which always rankled with him afterwards.
I can appreciate the irony of your great grandfather joining the British army - my grandfather had a 1914-1919 Merchant Navy Medal from the British Government and also a 1917-1921 Service Medal from the Irish Government!
Best of luck in your searches.
Alan