Armoured Car Corps

[Shogunrob]

Hi everyone,
Family stories go that Emmet Dalton hired my Great Grandfather for his marksmanship/ skills developed in WW1, to be in Collins unit sometime 1920-1921 and a great uncle insisted he was at Beal na Bla when Collins was killed.

I had tried for years to find any evidence but came up with nothing until a recent visit with a family member produced a photo of him sitting on top of the Slievenamon armoured car and a discharge letter from the FSA which included a service number.

From this i obtained a service record for him which proves he was in the Armoured Car Corps and stationed in Cork in 22 and 23.
I cannot find him on the Army Census of 22 though.. and any further evidence to prove or disprove his being there on the day. Only official lines say he wasnt in the Slievenamon on that day.
I wondered if i have exhausted every avenue possible? And if anyone has any personal pics of armoured car crews from the time that may or may not include him i would be very appreciative.
I cannot seem to attach the photo as it is too large a file but will share it by dm with anyone who wants to see it.

[shanreagh]

I found this account interesting and noted that it has the name of an historian Meda Ryan, who had researched the incident.  I had thought if you were able to make contact with her she might know (through access to records that we may not be able to find)  more of those who were there.

https://www.theirishwar.com/history/ambushes/beal-na-mblath/

The short account I've linked to does confirm that there were armoured cars at Béal na mBlath.  I was looking at Irish Army records of those fighting for independence, they were on line and were astoundingly well recorded.  I will have a look to find if I can remember where I located these. had a search but cannot find. 

I did find this though.

It may be the site you found but could not find your ancestor on the census.
https://www.militaryarchives.ie/

It does have info on military pensions and I did see some refs about armoured cars, but now can't find them...it was on this site above though.

[Shogunrob]

Thanks Shanreagh,
Thank you for your reply
I had viewed this site before, and the army census of 1922 is one source i was unable to find him in.. hoping someone on here maybe had a family member involved with the A.C.C. at the time that maybe had photos or other info that might reveal more. Long shot i suppose.
I also failed to mention his name in the original post. Private John Quinn of Mountjoy Place, Dublin.
Rob.

[hanes teulu]

Had you seen
https://www.theirishwar.com/michael-collins-sliabh-na-mban-armoured-car-restoration-and-refit/

[Shogunrob]

Hanes teulu,
Thank you for your reply I did see the car was restored and plan to visit soon. Attached should be the photo i mentioned in original post.

[hanes teulu]

Thanks for the photo - an intriguing post.
I found an item that explained how it survived from the ambush on and ultimate restoration.