Micheal Collins and 'The Squad'.

[rathmore]

That right you put Byrne in the box, then click on 9th June 2006 Bold sons of erin, by Joseph Reilly, then click on File: 2006175027.pdf

[tommobecket]

Thankyou Corisande and Rathmore. I have been in correspondence with Joe Reilly and he was most helpful. The films he refers to is 'Curious journey, The Fight For Irish freedom' which I am sure you are aware of. Sadly (for me anyway) this Denny Byrne is not my grandfather as he died in 1940 and the films were made in the 1970's ... Ah well ... The films offer very moving accounts by Maire Comerford, Brighid Thornton, Sean Kavangh, Martin Walton, Joseph Sweeney, tom Barry, John O’Sullivan, David Nelligan & Sean Harling.
Joe reminded of the frequent use of alias for protection and that Collins went by the name of "John Grace" at times.
Joe forwarded the notes of his lecture at the International Psychohistorical Association Convention at New York University on June 9, 2006, “Bold Sons Of Erin: The Irish As Guerrillas and Gangsters.”
which includes an extensive bibliography and references. I could put this up if anyone was interested?

[capel street man]

Rathmore
Colonel J.V.Joice, W.S. NO.1762 Chief of Investgation Staff of the Bureau of Military History, gives a list of names of members of the Squad, G.H.Q. Intelligence Staff and the Active Service Unit., dated 18th February, 1959
Quote- The Squad
From statements to hand, the Squad may be defined as a Special Unit formed by the Director of Intelligence, Michael Collins, for special duties decided on by him and to deal with enemy agents, spies and informers. It operated directly under his own particular direction and was solely responsible to him. Its activities were not, however, strictly limited to the liquidation of spies and informers. On occasions it took part in other military operations in conjuction with units of the Dublin Brigade such as , for example, the burning of the Custom House. Starting with a numerical strength of four, it was increased from time to time but never exceeded twenty. Some members, however, claim that it never numbered more than twelve and for this reason its personal became known as The Twelve Apostles.
THE SQUAD
1.BEN BYRNE
2.JIM CONROY
3.W.STAPLETON
4.J.SLATTERY
5.P.DALEY
6.J.LEONARD
7.M.KENNEDY
8.F.BOLSTER
9.J.DUNNE
10.J.BYRNE
11.P.LAWSON
12.I.MCKENNA
13.V.BYRNE
14.D.HANNON
15.SAM ROBINSON
16.M.MCEVOY
DECEASED
1.EDDIE BYRNE
2.TOM KEOGH
3.SEAN DOYLE
4.M. REILLY
5.L.MURRAY
6.P. GRIFFIN
7.BEN BARRETT
8.R. MURPHY UN-QUOTE
C.S.M.












.

[Gary Deering]

Thanks for that Capel Street man, There are so many names missing from that list,then again it was made 38 years after the Squad became the Dublin Guard.John Wilson calls the Squad  the GHQ Guard !. On John`s Demobilisation Grant form,Comdt Ed Mc Evoy lists him as "a member of the big fellows Squad ".Just looking at the list John Wilson mentions he was with Tom Keogh when he was killed in Macroon Co Cork on one of the forms I have here, that his daughter got as part of his army records.

Gary

[capel street man]

Happy new year to all, Corisande, do you have a photograph of Carew or his batman ?
C.S.M.

[corisande]

CSM

Carew, like most of the men I research, appears quite exotic. The same appears to apply to his family.

I succeeded in tracking down a descendant of Carew in Australia, who told me her aged aunt over-wintered in Bulgaria, and she emailed said aunt for info on photos. Aged aunt does not go online too often, particularly in Bulgaria.

Needless to say I am still waiting! Major C was very cagy about getting his photo taken, as he was anxious to avoid his creditors, the Germans, the IRA and later the Palestinians (he joined Palestine Police after Ireland)

[capel street man]

Corisande, just to let you know, Lily Mermin did make a Witness Statement No. 441, subject - Intelligence Work 1916 - 1921
CSM

[capel street man]

Hello MS Smokestoomuch
Left a post for you on the Old IRA Brigade site ref information on a Patrick Duffy in the Saint Laurence O,Toole Centenary History book by Jimmy Wrenn
You also mention that your grandfather Michael Smith, was in "E" Co. 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, my grandfather, Michael Duffy and 3 of his brothers were in the same Company and would have known your grandfather, do you have any other information on "E"Co.2nd Batt. Dublin Brigade.
I would like to start a site that deals only with "E" Co. 2nd Battalion and list as many of the volunteers as possible, has this been started on any other sites?
Corisande has done a tremendous amount of work regarding this subject.
Because of the amount of operations "E" Co.2nd Battalion were involved in I think there would be a definite interest, I am recent to the site and would appreciate yours and any body else's thoughts on the subject
CSM

[corisande]

to start a site that deals only with "E" Co. 2nd Battalion and list as many of the volunteers as possible, has this been started on any other sites?

Good idea. I don't think there is anything similar.

It is my impression that you should be able (eventually) to plumb the depths of what went on at the time.

For example, on Bloody Sunday only very little is known, and only about the comparatively few men who, as it were, pulled the triggers. There were lots of others keeping watch, first aid, car drivers and so on.

If you contained it to, as you say, one company, you might be able to tease out the details that have been hidden to date.