Old IRA Dublin Brigade

[Magell14]

I will check with my Dad to see did he ever go to any of those.

[Private 1st class]

HI  GUYS THAT SPRING TO MIND JIM BRADY, NED LANE, PADDY CADWELL WERE ON THE COMMITTEES THERE ARE OTHER ONES THAT I CAN NOT THINK OF AT THE MOMENT. tHEY HAD A BEAUTIFUL THREE QUARTERS BILLIARD TABLE IN 196 PEARSE ST. IT WAS BILLIARDS THEM DAYS NOT SNOOKER.

[Magell14]

No I checked with my Dad and he remembered nothing about reunions.  Having said that I know my grandfather did have contact with his ex comrades because he joined an LDF unit during the World War II made up (I think) exclusively of ex-comrades.  I attach a photo if anyone is interested.

[Private 1st class]

Hi Great photo. Taken on the square of Collins Barracks, Dublin early 40s.taken around the 40 yard marker. This is B Coy of the 26 Infantry Battalion. Officer in Charge and sitting in the middle Is Lt P C Cahaill. He was to be P C Cahaills along the quays Bachelors walk. To his left is Plt Sgt Edward Lane. The second row fifth in from the right Matty Doyle. and third row Vincent Lyons Third in from the right. Keep them coming. Good to see them get an airing. The NCO sitting to the right of P C is the Battalion Qm Can not think of his name at the moment. The oldest serving soldier of that battalion was called Boland. Patrick James Boland. He is not in this photo. He joined the 26th in 1940 at the age of sixty and served till 1945. It was Paddy Boland who took out the sentry on the magazine Fort in 1916. Six foot tall 13 stone. He was a very fit man all his life. Paddy was born 17th Feb 1880.

[Ms. Smokestoomuch]

Here's a couple.
Sorry one is so poor in quality but these old photocopies of stuff passed around is was I've had to rely on.
It's the 26th Battalion
Maybe someone might find a relation of their own.
Mine is Michael Smith. He's middle row second from the left.
On the lousy picture I'm not sure but I think he is over the letter "A" of the the word Captain in the caption.
Looks like some years have passed between both photos. And either weight gained or lost.

[Magell14]

Hi Great photo. Taken on the square of Collins Barracks, Dublin early 40s.taken around the 40 yard marker. This is B Coy of the 26 Infantry Battalion. Officer in Charge and sitting in the middle Is Lt P C Cahaill. He was to be P C Cahaills along the quays Bachelors walk. To his left is Plt Sgt Edward Lane. The second row fifth in from the right Matty Doyle. and third row Vincent Lyons Third in from the right. Keep them coming. Good to see them get an airing. The NCO sitting to the right of P C is the Battalion Qm Can not think of his name at the moment. The oldest serving soldier of that battalion was called Boland. Patrick James Boland. He is not in this photo. He joined the 26th in 1940 at the age of sixty and served till 1945. It was Paddy Boland who took out the sentry on the magazine Fort in 1916. Six foot tall 13 stone. He was a very fit man all his life. Paddy was born 17th Feb 1880.

Good info on that picture. That is my grandfather, Charlie Murphy, third in from the left (as you are looking at it) He is also in the earlier photo I posted.

[Private 1st class]

Hi, In this picture the Platoon Officer is 2/Lieut Michael Smith. Rifle Champion. Winner of the Battalion Shooting Competitions of that year. His Platoon Sargeant was A/Sgt Wally Carpenter. He was in charge of number 8 Platoon, of B Company, 26th Rifle Battalion. While Murphy is a common enough name There is only two in B Coy at that time and they are in number 8 platoon. But they are down as J Murphy. May be an error or miss print. or he could be called some pet name, like a fellow born Francis and later in life he is called Frank. At the time of that Photo which was late 1943 and early 1944There is only two Murphy's in B Company. Both are in number 8 platoon. One in number one section and the other in number 4 section.In number one section there is a man called J Traviskis. I believe that he was the father of a young man who appeared on the Late Late Show many years ago with U O'Connor and Gay. cause a storm at the time. would love to see more of these photos. The more they are shown the better chance of them surviving. Otherwise they often get fired out into the bin.

[Ms. Smokestoomuch]

You certainly are 1st class.
I am so grateful you passed on that information about the battalion shooting competition. I'm only starting to realise that Michael smith was so handy with a gun.

There was one clue he had left in a remark in an account of his actions, that he left with his family. But it was a joke and I didn't give it much thought.
He had said that on one occasion Jim Slattery was to be my grandfather's armed guard. He said both of them found that quite funny as he they thought Jim was a lousy shot. And if any shooting  should start, my grandfather said he would lie on the ground.
I didn't really give it much thought.
I have over the last week, just found out he was one of the snipers on the roof of Jacobs in 1916.
He never went into detail about how he got on in Jacobs. I suspect now it was that in comparison to other outposts, during the Rising, he felt they hadn't done much and it was not something to be going on about. So this is all news to me.

I'm finding time and time again that I've been underestimating the little clues.

My grandfather Micheal Smith must have been delighted in his 50s he hadn't lost his touch.

Thanks so much Private 1st Class.

[Private 1st class]

Glad to be of help. B Company was made up of mostly 2nd Battalion Dublin Brigade men. As I would say to them when I got the chance. What is the most important medal on the soldier. Its his service medal. all the rest follow. Same with Jacobs. There were there. Not their fault that they were never tested. Did he he make a run for it after or did he surrender. I'll give you a strange little story. A man refused to surrender in Jacobs and went on the run till they were released from British Jails. That is a story in it self, When it came to apply for the pension, The time is broken up into sections by date. The Easter week is one period. Brake Easter week into fifths. as only the Dept can. Because he did not surrender with the rest wait for it. He was stopped one fifth of the money that covered Easter week. So he received four fifths service for that week. Good.?. I hope to be able to get some photos of number 6 platoon. As soon as I do I'll put them up. Bye for now.