This is a photo taken in the early 1940s of the regular officers who founded the North Wicklow Battalion LDF. Jim Hynes was the local Garda inspector who was associated with the LSF, the predecessor of the LDF. All are carrying gas masks. Jim was also the father of 21Bn’s own John Hynes.
Jim Hynes is wearing a cap and is standing at top left. I do not know any of the others in the photo. Would anybody else?
Maybe you might also know of some other Historical groups we could ask?
A post which has it all – a photo, a story and “where are they now?”. The photo is from Cpl Duggan P 1044876, who is now active in US politics!
Paul takes up the story: This photo was taken early 80s Rock-brae House . Its been a long journey from Rock Brae house to the political state house. I suppose its been the indelible memories of many great NCOs, Officers and Men that made monumental impressions on me in my early and mid twenties. From my old classmates Cpl Walsh at Kilmacud national school to Alan Kavanagh who sat in front of me in Oatlands college. My first induction by Capt Rochford in 1971 in B Coy and my second coming in 1979/80 in A Coy in Rockbrae house The Doyle brothers, Lt Bigley, so many names to mention and my dear old friend JG Doyle RIP ( who always had a smile and a story to tell) . You need a sense of humor when getting involved with US politics. To cut a long story short I landed the position of Deputy Chief of QC at V CORPS US Army Transportation in the mid 80s and moved Gen Colin Powell to Washington DC the rest of the story you can track on my background on one of the political web sites www.pauldugganfornjsenate.com
When I came to the USA the first thing I did after getting my permits was to get myself a #4 .303 enfield so I could clean it myself without anyone yelling at me. I graduated then to the BAP and the FN to my collection and I try to keep my marksmanship skills up to TOET levels LOL
Paul is third from the right in the back row.
June 1968: FCA Guard of Honour for Corpus Christi parade. Officer in charge was/is Lt. Patrick Rochford. This FCA unit, part of ‘B’ Company, 21st Infantry Battalion, operated out of Oatlands College, Stillorgan. The ceremony took place on the green at Merville Road. The location alternated with Dale Road on a yearly basis. If memory serves me correctly, the priest pictured kneeling could be Fr. Callan (cannot be positive of that last fact).
Yet again, we have no details of the actual training which took place during this overnight. The location of the photos is, I believe, The Glen Inn, as the officers would have gone to Fentons.
Harry Kavanagh, Jim Nolan, Sean Penston receive their prizes. I got this photo from the C Coy Facebook page, where Harry comments that Sean Penston won 5 Eastern Command and 2 All-Armies without ever firing a shot! – he was sub on all occasions.
In a previous posting regarding “The FCA an Illustrated History” I mentioned there was only one photo of 21Bn. Well Des Fitzgerald has found another photo featuring himself, but this one was taken during his sojourn in Cork. Des was a member of B Coy who transferred to 23 Inf Bn while he was studying in Cork. Des takes up the story:
The photo is on page 83, I’m the second from the left in the rear rank. I served with A Company whose area of ops was north of the city. Because this GoH was in the southern suburbs (Wilton) it was B Coy’s show and the other companies were there to boost the numbers.
It was in early 1985, which was the year of Cork’s 500 celebrations. It was one of the anniversary celebrations in the 1980’s to drum up business. I think Galway started with 500 years, Cork topped that with 800 and then in 1988 Dublin beat them all with the Millennium. It was a precursor for ‘The Gathering’ and I suppose they were hoping to drum up a few tourists. I think the main result was that Paddy Hilliary seemed to be in Cork every second week-end; he was on first name terms by the end of the year. In fact there are three photos of Guards of Honour for Paddy (pages 79, 83 and 84) in the book; and he wanted the job of President!, a high price.
I got the following photographs from Dickie’s family via my Dad this week. Dick joined the FCA on the same day as my father – they went down together to sign up. Jack Haughton, Dick’s brother was already a member before them. That was in 1955 and Dick was to have 34 years service in the South County and later the 21st Battalion ahead of him.
Dick’s original standing down parade in 1988 was due to be held in Kilworth Camp but was cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Arthur Plunkett. This parade was then held opposite the Royal Irish Yacht Club and on to the Coastguard Station.
I have already related many stories of Dick’s legendary wit in this blog and he will also go down in the history of 21st Battalion as whenever the order to “size” was given – “Pat Holohan on the right, Dickie Haughton on the left – single rank… SIZE!”
Not quite sure of the location, but may have been connected with a Gustaf shoot judging by the attendees. Everybody seems to be in their “South American” phase with the proliferation of dark glasses and mustachios, a least two of which could have been stolen from the corpses of Pancho Villa’s renegades. We could probably work out the date from the ranks of those present.
From left to right we have John O’Toole, Declan O’Connor (Pex) – cousin of Mick O’Toole and nephew of Dickie Haughton, Eamon Doyle, Nicky Murphy, Barney Murphy and Gerry Paley.
Short episode of officers preparing for the TEWT mentioned in Aidan Teevan’s history. Aidan did go on a bit about the “excellent al fresco meal” provided by Frank Yorke and later I will post some video of the meal, which shows the main attraction to be a large bottle of Valpolicella or similar fine vintage.
Here Dick Shortt displays all his skills of hand/eye co-ordination and dexterity that made him great. The attributes displayed that did, in fact, make him a great officer are the unflappability, recovery, poise and dignity shown in the face of adversity.
Eamon Timlin commands a very good foot drill display at the Coastguard Station in Dun Laoghaire. The eagle-eyed amongst you may also be able to pick out some well known names in the spectators. There are also a number of Mums and Dads, wives and girlfirends in the crowd who quite rightly show their appreciation of an impressive spectacle.
A future video will show the inspection and prize giving.