The Crossbarry Ambush
In the days leading up to the ambush at Crossbarry (March 19th, 1921) British forces were still on the increase as there was a growing need for their presence in the area. A document later captured by the I.R.A. showed that there were 8,800 front line infantry troops, 1150 Black and Tans, 540 Auxiliaries, 2080 machine gun corps, artillery and other units, a total of over 12,500 men. There was also the additional RIC (armed) police force. The Irish Army Volunteers had acquired arms over many months through ambushes and the men of the 3rd West Cork Brigade received training from their commandant general Tom Barry. Barry had served in the British army during The Great War and had strong republican ideals. Barry soon proved himself as a very able commander, fighting for Irish independence and carrying out many ambushes and assaults on the occupation forces, who carried out strict reprisals for such attacks and harassed the local population on a continual basis. The 3rd Brigade operated as a flying column with a single leader and drew its volunteers from the local population. Due to their ability to operate completely independently from other flying columns, the British were finding it hard to break these groups down. By March 1921 the 3rd West Cork flying column had 104 officers and men, armed with rifles or revolvers with approximately 36-40 rounds per man. The column was split into 7 sections of 7 men each commanded by a section commander each. These were Sean Hales, John Lordan, Mick Crowley, Dennis Lordan, Tom Kelleher, Peter Kearney and Christy O’ Connell. Columns such as this relied on local sympathies to stay operational which lead to reprisals for anyone harbouring volunteer forces.
The British relied heavily on intelligence and sources had located the whereabouts of the column on the 16th and sent a reconnaissance plane to investigate. The British then set out quickly to circle the column. The IRA’s counter intelligence later reported British troop movements on the 19th to the area at roughly 1 a.m.; 400 left Cork, 200 left Ballincollig, 300 left Kinsale, 350 left Bandon, 120 Auxiliaries later left Macroom and still later more left Clonakilty and Cork. Sources one and two agree on this information however it is arguable whether such large professional forces of the British Army could have been deterred by just over 100 volunteers. However investigation into the ambush reveals how this came about.
At 2.30 a.m. while billeting at Ballyhandle, Barry received reports from his men of lights and lorries some miles to the west. 2 more reports came in simultaneously of enemy movements to the east and of lights and dogs barking to the south. Barry quickly came to the conclusion that they were to be surrounded and needed a quick break out of the encirclement as their lack of manpower and ammunition did not permit a prolonged engagement. Some of the British units dismounted and proceeded on foot to raid the surrounding country houses. It was in one of these raids 3 miles north of Crossbarry in which the British came across the wounded Charles Hurley who was recovering from a bullet wound received in a previous ambush (Upton ambush). He was killed at roughly at 6.30 a.m. by officers of the 1st Essex but was reported to have killed one and wounded two in the process. By this time Barry had the column in position to ambush British forces to the west as reports had suggested they were much closer than the other encircling troops and so could be engaged on their own. Barry had sent a pair of volunteers to retrieve Charlie when the first reports of the British in the area came to him but these men were subsequently captured.
Barry’s ambush was meticulously organised. Mines were laid down by Capt. McCarthy, who had served in the Royal Engineers. Two small stone walls were built along the ambush site to prevent armoured cars from infiltrating the I.R.A. lines, as the volunteers could not deal with such an armoured threat directly if it were to come due to their sole possession of small arms. The ambush site was chosen west of the double crossroads at Crossbarry. The old Cork-Bandon road runs from west to east and is met by two roads running north-south creating a double crossroads 30 yards apart. All seven sections were posted west of these crossroads. Hales’ Section was placed N of the road on the west side in a ditch which ran along the road. This was capable of moving in behind the British once the ambush started. Christy O’ Connell’s Section was situated 600 yards west of Hales’ and was responsible for holding the right flank as it was the western most section. The four Sections belonging to the two Lordans, Crowley, and Kearney were posted east of Hales’ Section at two farmhouses along the road side. The last Section was that of Tom Kelleher placed in a field 600 yards to the rear of the four main Sections of the ambush. The mines were placed between these four sections. Three riflemen were detached from these four Sections and placed a half mile to the rear to delay enemy flank manoeuvres and prevent the enemy sneaking up on the column. It also provided the main ambushers with time to redeploy to face a new threat. So according to Barry, there were now 73 officers and men in the main ambush sector with 31 others protecting flanks and the rear. In addition to this, Flor Begley, an Intelligence Officer, brought had his pipes and was instructed to play traditional Irish war songs on his pipes in the farmyards among the main ambush force. Barry gave strict orders that no volunteer was to show himself until the fighting had begun. In addition to his no Section was to come to the aid of those fighting unless ordered, even if they themselves were not engaged, as the enemy was approaching fast from all directions and would infiltrate the column if this were to happen. Communication between Barry and his Sections was made via runners and the command post was between the centre Sections.
At 8 a.m. the convoy from the west approached, however a volunteer in the central farm houses exposed himself briefly and the British immediately saw an ambush and opened fire. The ambush had begun as Flor Begley’s pipes began to ring through the air. The fire fight was predominantly at less than ten yards due to the ambushers’ positions. The British soldiers confused and disorganised were routed quickly, running to the south across the fields. Three Sections were detached to pursue but returned after according to Barry felling “many men”. Barry had now the option to escape the noose as the west side had been obliterated but now stayed to engage the other British forces. The enemy arms and ammunition was seized along and an Irish hostage by the name of Edward White rescued. According to General Strickland hostages were often taken along as means of deterring an ambush. This apparently had no effect given the current situation.
The order to destroy the lorries was given and three were in flames when fighting broke out on the left flank. After brief intense fighting the British soldiers withdrew due to the strategic advantage of the defenders’ position. Following this fire broke out on the right flank, where apparent British raiding parties were taken surprise by O’ Connell’s Section as the British advanced cross country. These units also withdrew. Ten minutes later a British unit of 200 (according to Barry and Ryan) arrived to the flank at Tom Kelleher’s Section. Creeping along a ditch they had hoped to hit the column from behind, which would surely have caused chaos in the column. However Barry’s strategic positioning of Kelleher’s Section, who did not move despite seeing no action until this point, were waiting for the British. Allowing the British to come within fifty yards, they opened fire and these British units retreated after Barry had sent Jim “Spud” Murphy with eleven additional riflemen to reinforce this position. Barry then extended his men northwards to meet a possible flanking action from the British which came but was quickly repulsed.
Barry then moved the whole column except O’ Connell’s Section to Tom Kelleher’s position to rid the enemy of the rear and by the time Barry himself at arrived the enemy had retreated. The I.R.A. laid out their dead and the order to move out was given. Shortly following this a group of apparently disorganised British soldiers were spotted in a field discussing what to do some distance away in a field. Barry ordered all 100 rifles of the column to take aim and fire three volleys. These few soldiers “broke in all directions”. This was the last of the fighting of the ambush and the column moved off and leaving the scene of the ambush, began the 20 mile march to their next billets in the country side to continue their fight for independence.
In all according to Barry and Ryan the I.R.A. had lost three volunteers, Jeremiah O’ Leary, Con Daly and Peter Monahan. However according to Meda Ryan, Peter Monahan was not his correct name, a British solder with Irish parents from Fermoy, he defected to the I.R.A. and “will forever remain the unknown soldier”. In addition to this Charles Hurley, a leading figure of the column and great friend of Tom Barry’s was killed and two further volunteers were taken prisoner. Barry describes the British losses as, “corpses strewn on the Crossbarry road, in the fields south of it, in front of Dennis Lordan’s Section, near Christy O’ Connell’s Setion and now here were several more of them lying around Kelleher’s position”. This seems slightly exaggerated compared to Hamar Greenwood (source three) and his figures of six I.R.A. men injured and seven wounded and six taken prisoner (some were also taken in the house raids prior to the ambush). The I.R.A. did in fact have injured and Greenwood’s figures can only be derived from AARs (after action reports), however are not far off Barry’s figures. In addition the British controlled the ambush site following the columns departure and so could report accurately their own losses. This together with the official report to the British Cabinet can be looked upon with relative assurance when they report their own losses of, “eight (other ranks) soldiers and one policeman killed and five wounded (three officers and two other ranks) with one policeman being injured”.
This is seen as a sure victory for the I.R.A. of west Cork and was an “overdue strategic necessity” according to Barry, because had they not been attacked they would have continued to harass the population and arrest volunteers, thus reducing morale and interfering with the operations of the volunteers. Indeed it was described as Barry in a later interview as being “possibly a decisive factor in getting the British establishment to think of a truce”. It was also known that Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Great Britain had singled out the ambushes of Kilmichael and Crossbarry in communiqués leading up to a truce. The ambush was decisive in showing how independent fighting elements backed by a local population were extremely hard to gain intelligence on and their ability to mingle with the population and move around the area in which they knew all the terrain very well could be superior to that of the British Army. Barry’s command skills also played a decisive role in defeating the British as his expectation of British Army tactics allowed him to reply and repel their attacks. The British surely would have had the notion that there were many more volunteers than there was in reality. In an article published by the New York Times and associated press there were reports of up to 300 volunteers taking part in the ambush. General Strickland commented on the ambush saying “if the outcome had been successful {British prospective} it might easily have had decisive results as regards rebel activity in West Cork”.
The Crossbarry Ambush
The Crossbarry Ambush
The Crossbarry Ambush
37 Responses to “The Crossbarry Ambush”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
Do you know where I can find a list of the men who served in the Third West Cork Brigade and a list of the names of the volunteers that participated in the Crossbarry Ambush? Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You
Hello Brendan, we are checking on that and will make a post over the next few days,
Hello Brendan, please see below a list of the 3.rd cork brigade who took part in the ambush:
Crossbarry Ambush
(Saturday 19th March 1921)
The following is a list of the republican soldiers who took part in the ambush at Crossbarry Co. Cork on Saturday 19th of March 1921.
Irish Republican Army :
Staff Officers
Surname Forename Rank
Deasy Liam Brigade Adjutant
Barry Tom Column Commandant
Begley Flor Assistant Brigade Adjutant
Lucey Dr. Con Brgade M.O
.
Sullivan Tadhg Column Quartermaster
Crowley Mick Brigade Engineer (Section Commander)
First Battalion
Surname Forename Address Rank Company
Hales Sean Knocknacurra Section Commander Ballinadee
Hales William Knocknacurra Volunteer Ballinadee
Hales Bob Knocknacurra Volunteer Ballinadee
O’Donoghue Con Rathrout Volunteer Ballinadee
O’Donoghue Jack Rathrout Volunteer Ballinadee
O’Donoghue Denny Rathrout Volunteer Ballinadee
Crowley Jim Kilanetig Volunteer (Wounded) Ballinadee
Crowley Tim Horsehill Volunteer Ballinadee
Healy Matt Rathrout Volunteer Ballinadee
Corkerry Jack Cloghane Volunteer Ballinadee
O’Leary Johnny Howes Strand Volunteer Kilbrittain
Lordan Denis Maryboro Section Commander Kilbrittain
Monahan Peter Volunteer (Killed) Kilbrittain
Roche Jack Kilbrittain Volunteer Kilbrittain
O’Brien Denny Clounboig Volunteer Kilbrittain
O’Sullivan Paddy Glanduff Volunteer Kilbrittain
Lehane Con Timoleague Volunteer Timoleague
Murphy Con Carhue Volunteer Timoleague
Hodnett Jimmy Carhue Volunteer Timoleague
Deasy Mick Volunteer Timoleague
Keohane Tim Volunteer Timoleague
O’Driscoll John Timoleague Volunteer Timoleague
Minnihane Dan Timoleague Volunteer Timoleague
McCarthy Bill Volunteer Barryroe
Holland Dan Volunteer Ballyroe
Coleman Michael Volunteer Ballyroe
O’Brien Denis Butlerstown Volunteer Ballyroe
O’Sullivan Denis Volunteer Ballyroe
Callanan Con Volunteer Ballyroe
O’Donovan Dan Burrane South Volunteer Clogagh
Daly Con Ballinascarthy Volunteer (Killed) Clogagh
Dempsey Paddy Volunteer Clogagh
O’Donovan Mick Volunteer Clogagh
O’Donovan Dan Clogagh Volunteer Clogagh
Mehigan Denis Dangan Volunteer Bandon
Kearney Mick Bandon Volunteer Bandon
Buckley Bill Bandon Volunteer Bandon
McCarthy Con Bandon Volunteer Bandon
Hurley Frank Laragh, Bandon Volunteer Mount Plesant
O’Brien Con Laragh, Bandon Volunteer Mount Plesant
O’Brien Jerh Tullyglass Volunteer Mount Plesant
Lordan John Coolinagh Section Commander Mount Plesant
Lordan Jim Coolinagh Volunteer Mount Plesant
Desmond Bill Volunteer Mount Plesant
Canty Dan Farnalough Volunteer Mount Plesant
Staunton Stephen Volunteer Mount Plesant
Desmond Jer Volunteer Mount Plesant
O’Callaghan Denis Lauravoulta Volunteer Mount Plesant
O’Callaghan John Lauravoulta Volunteer Mount Plesant
O’Brien Denny Tullyglass Volunteer Mount Plesant
Corcoran Dan Bengour Volunteer (Wounded) Mount Plesant
Doyle Jim Kilmore Volunteer Kilpatrick
Doyle Jer Kilmore Volunteer Kilpatrick
Crowley John Volunteer Kilpatrick
Kelleher Tom Crow Hill, Upton Section Commander Crosspound
Second Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
Murphy Jim Clonakilty Section Commander Clonakilty
Nugent Dan Clonakilty Volunteer Clonakilty
Barry Jack Clonakilty Volunteer Clonakilty
O’Leary Con Brownstown Volunteer Ardfield
O’Sullivan Dan Cahir Volunteer Ardfield
McSweeney Eugene Castlefreke Volunteer Kilkernmore
McSweeney Jack Castlefreke Volunteer Kilkernmore
Third Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
O’Donovan John Aultagh Volunteer Aultagh
Kearney Peter Lettergorman Section Commander Clubhouse
O’Connell Patsy Edencurra Dunmanway Volunteer Clubhouse
O’Donovan Pat Nedinagh Volunteer Clubhouse
Hurley Mick Gortnamuckly Dunmanway Volunteer Bredagh
O’Leary Denis Drimoleague Volunteer Knockbue
Fourth Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
O’Leary Jerh Corran, Leap Volunteer (Killed) Corran
Dempsey Jack Dromindy Volunteer Drinagh
McCarthy Tim J. Lissane, Drimoleague Volunteer Bredagh
O’Neill Sean Baltimore Volunteer Baltimore
Fifth Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
O’Driscoll Michael Snave, Bantry Volunteer Coomhola
Lucey Daniel Cooryleary, Bantry Volunteer Coomhola
O’Connor Jack Kealkil, Bantry Volunteer Kealkil
O’Sullivan Patrick Milleney, Bantry Volunteer Bantry
Keohane Patrick Parsons Bridge, |Bantry Volunteer Parsons Bridge
Norris Willie Caheragh Volunteer Caheragh
O’Driscoll Denis Caheragh Volunteer Caheragh
Sixth Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
O’Sullivan Michael Inchintaglan, Adrigole Volunteer Adrigole
O’Sullivan Matt Lackavane, Adrigole Volunteer Adrigole
McCarthy John Castletownbere Volunteer Castletown
Spencer Dick Rossmacowen Volunteer (Wounded) Rossmacowen
O’Shea Tim Droumard, Ardgroom Volunteer Ardgroom
Sheehan John Barrakilla, Ardgroom Volunteer (Wounded) Ardgroom
O’Connell Christy Eyeries Section Commander Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
O’Driscoll Sean Eyeries Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
O’Dwyer Tim Eyeries, Caileroe Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
O’Sullivan Pat Eyeries Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
McCarthy Murt Inches Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
McAuliffe Jerry Croumlane Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
O’Sullivan Dan Gorth Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
O’Sullivan John Kilcatherine Volunteer Eyeries, Kilcatherine, Inches
Seventh Battalion
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
Allen Tim Ballydehob Volunteer Ballydehob
McCarthy Tom Schull Volunteer Schull
Outside of Battalion Area
Surname Firstname Address Rank Company
McCarthy Jerh Dreeney, Skibbereen Volunteer U.C.C.
Scouts
Surname Firstname Address Rank
Finn Ted Crossbarry Scout
Collins J. Crossbarry Scout
Twomey Tadhg Crossbarry Scout
Cronin Paddy Crossbarry Scout
Doolin Denny Crossbarry Scout
Begley Neilus Killeens Scout
Hartnett Bill Killeens Scout
Buckley Danny Inagh Scout
Buckley Miah Inagh Scout
O’Leary Paddy Ballyhandle Scout
Falvey Jack Ballymurphy Scout
Delaney Denny Belrose Scout
O’Mahony Jerome Belrose Scout
Lordan Jim Dunkerreen Scout
McCarthy Pake Upton Scout
Cronin Battie Clashinimud Scout
Hi I am currently researching my grandads movements during this war of independence and was wondering if there is any website or articles that might include his whereabouts during the times. His name was William O’Connell and he lived in the Cork gaeltaecht area. He was born in the year 1900 if that helps. Any response would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, firstly well done, great website!
I think the Lordans listed are relatives of mine, In particular Jim Lordan Dunkereen.
We found a notebook belong to a volunteer who had passed it around while locked up in Cork womens prison, one of the entrys reads:
27/06/1923 Cork Female Prison
When lifes journey here is ended.
and this earth no more you’ll trod,
may your name in gold be written,
In the autograph of God.
James Lordan
Dunkereen, Upton
Theres alot of other entries, drawings etc from various people in the notebook. If you have anymore info on if this is the same james/jim lordan listed above and his relation if any to the other lordans i would be very greatfull!
many thanks,
James Lordan
[...] The Crossbarry Ambush [...]
a play based on tom barry’s book is on at the everyman soon
http://www.everymanpalace.com/2011/03/guerilla-days-in-ireland/
Is it possible to get a list of republicans from Cork who were on “Hunger Strike” in Wormwood Scrubs Prison,White City,London from April to mid May 1920
Hi John O Driscoll,My grandfather Jeremiah(Diarmuid) O Driscoll was on hunger strike in Wormwood Scrubs in April/May 1920.The event and names were reported on in The Irish Independent May 1920.I am trying to get more info but dont have time.
I have information on Jeremiah O’Driscoll possibly from Dooneen
on hunger strike April/May 1920
My grandfather Tom O’Shea was on the same hunger strike. I too would love to see a list. Apparently the strike inspired other IRA prisoners in other prisons to do the same.
For Matt O’Shea-I have a list with many O’Shea’s and can sen you some if you send me your email address
William O’Connell is listed in Witness Statements – with the 6th Batt 3rd Brigade and was located in the Castletownbere area (Eyeries). Contact me and I will have more research later.
Send me your email address and I will send you a list.
William O’Connell was Battallion O/C Ardgroom, Eyeries ,West Cork in July 1917.History may be in The Bureau of Military History (1913-1921) -
Military Archives,Cathal Brugha Barracks,Rathmines,Dublin 6.
Eamon- my father Sean ( O/C 6th Batt -Eyeries)was Diarmuids Brother ,they were in Wormwood Scrubs together. I am researching the National Archives UK at present. Send me your email address.
i am looking for advise, my granduncles were sent to england where would i find details of the court
Several were sent from all over the country in Feb 1920 and were interned without trial in Wormwood Scrubs prison,White City,London where they all (200) went on hunger Strike.
Details are currently coming online through National Archives located in Kew,London. I am currently in the process of acquiring information from this source but progress is slow and difficult without paying a visit to Kew.If you have any further details,Name Battalion or Brigade numbers I may have something in the limited documents I have. Good luck with your searches it’s worth it.
Eamon -I have details of Jeremiah “B”.O’Driscoll who was on Hunger Strike in Wormwood Scrubs but these are probably was not your Grandfather who I know was actually in the Scrubs at that time with his Brother ( my father ) Sean O’Driscoll from Eyeries. More later when my results come through from National Archives and London Metropolitan Archives when I hope to find both in Prison or Hospital records.
Eamon- Diarmuid your Grandfather was Interned in Wormwood Scrubs on 23rd May 1920 and was on “Hunger Strike” .He was discharged on 16th June 1920 and I understand was the last man released because of the injuries he received. He returned to Eyeries and was involved in the attack on Ballycrovane.
was wondering if you had the names of the volunteers in the kilmichael ambush ?
hi all, here is some of a list of names of lads locked up in Cork female Gaol and newbridge, from a diary beloning to a relative of mine found recently as they themselves were imprisoned there.. would love to know more info on it… each name either wrote a poem in the Diary or drew/painted a picture, see above comment i left.
Cork Female Gaol:
Bob Brown(cobh)
Sean O Donnell
John J Walsh (blackrock)
B.Dinan (cove/COBH)
W.Webb Newbridge camp
M.Fitzgerald Cork Female Gaol
James(jim) Lordan Dunkereen Upton
Chris Morrison Killeagh
Tom Barry Ballyduff
Thomas (FOLEY?) Waterford city
Tom Canty Female Gaol
Sean F Healy Cork City
Criosteor O Leary F.Gaol
J.O Connell
Seamus Mac(fear…?) 4th Bat 1st Cork
J/T Reilly
Sean McCarthy 3 wolftone Place Cork
Owen McCarthy 21 church street cork
john O hanlon Donoughmore
Sean ? Cobh
Pat Twomey Cobh
P.Desmond Fermoy
D. O Leary St.Lukes Cork
R Hayes Ladies Bridge
Johnn Scott Cobh
John McCabe Monkstown Cork
Chris Morrison Killeagh
Sean (O Loingaigh/Long???) Baile….?
john O rourke Athy
send me a mail if your related/know someone related on the list. cheers
James Lordan
James- Denis John Lorden and James Lorden were in Wormwood Scrubs Feb to may 1920. More details if you send email
I am looking for any list of prisoners detained in Cork Prison
during the period June to December 1918. john driscoll and
Christopher O’Connell from Eyeries,Castletownbere (6th Battallion)
may have been in at that time.
james.lordan@mycit.ie is my email.. would love to know if you have more info… I’m not sure if I’m related to those partiular lordans but still interested.. Also… anyone have any idea on how to get the Spike Island reords or have any info about it? cheers! if anyone knows any of the names above or their family members let me know and i can email on parts of the sketch book
thanks a million!
Matt-
Thomas O’Shea -Age 22-was in Wormwood Scrubs from 05/02/1920 until 05/05/1920 ( Prison no.3824) when he was transferred to St
James Hospital,Wandsworth. You would find a lot in the Irish
Independent archives around May 6th,7th,8th etc., when they
published a lot of “Hunger Strike” info including names.
other O’Shea’s were Patrick and Tadgh.
Send me your email add and i can send more.best of luck.
John
Riona- Re : William O’Connell-send me your email address for further information
I am also doing some research for my father, on his father’s involvement in the hunger strikes at Wormwood. He doesn’t know what year he was there but remembers mention of Wormwood. My grandfather’s name was John (Jack) Andrew Rea from Limerick City.
Thanks in advance
How can I find out more about Roche, Jack who is from kilbrittain and was a member of the Third Cork Brigade?
Heather : John Rea ( Prison Number 3804),aged 28 was an Internee in Wormwood Scrubs,London fro 5thFeb 1920 until 6th May 1920 when he was sent to St Jame’s infirmary,Wandsworth,London .he would have been on “hunger strike” in the Scrubs with many others.Probably discharged from Infirmary around 16th May 1920. There would have been an account in The Irish Independent around these dates.
Brian,-Jack Roche was in the First Batt 3Rd Brigade and listed at Crossbarry Ambush.
Heather :- I can give you London Metropolitan Archive (LMA) numbers and information if you send me an email contact number . Irish Military Archives at Cathal Brugha barracks will also have John Rea’s “witness statements” -it is now online and very helpful. Best of luck
[...] A detailed account of the battle can be found at The Irish War. [...]
Hi,
I was always told that my grandfather, John Brickley, from Butlers Town in the Bandon area was a member of the 3rd West Cork Brigade and that he participated in the Crossbarry Ambush. However, I have been unable to find anything on the Internet that supports this. Does his name appear in any of the records?
Thanks,
Brendan
For Heather Rea ; Send me your email address to johnodriscoll505@gmail.com.
Your grandfather has a proud history.
John thanks. I know that Jack Roche was in the First Batt 3Rd Brigade and listed at Crossbarry Ambush but is there any more details or facts I can find out about him? I do know that his sister (my grandmother) were in Kilbrittain, Cork Ireland born around 1904.
Brian,
Your grandfather propably applied for military Service pension and The Dept of Defence will give you details of his application.They give these to relatives etc.,You can contact them by phone and subsequent details in writing. I serched for “witness statements ” without success but mention can be found in statements by collegues – all volunteers did not make Statements.Try militaryarchives@defenceforces.ie they are now online.
another great source of info is :- archivist@corkcity.
Good luck with your search .