I posted this picture on Facebook and although a few old comrades were (just a little) taken aback when Des walked into McKenna’s on crutches, Kevin Phelan (who was away on holiday at the time) thought he would treat Des’s condition with the respect it deserves and posted this:
Remember we should laugh at life … otherwise life might just laugh at us!
These photos from the ATK collection, show that you know it has been a good field day when you fall asleep on the way home. The name of the individual shown sucking their thumb is known to the author but is withheld for the time being!
Whereas the rest of Ireland had various Gatherings in 2013 B Coy decided to have theirs in 2014 – an extended gathering if you will. Some photos of the event supplied by Gav.
Words and pictures by Des Fitzgerald
On the day of the Christmas party in the late 1980’s (I think it might have been 1987) we got to do riot training in ‘The Brugha’ before we headed off to the Hotel Pierre (as it then was) for the customary meal and feed of drink.
It was one of the better ‘Christmas events’ we enjoyed in the 1980’s; up there with the fund raising gun pull (tow) from Dalkey to Cathal Brugha in aid of the Children’s hospital in Crumlin.
The 2nd Battalion lent the equipment, while we provided our own rioters most of whom were recruits who relished the opportunity to legitimately throw things at us. The Barracks provided a suitable battleground in the form of a street like location in the laneway behind our stores and an ample supply of turf as ammunition for the mob to use.
I recall Noel Lyster and Sammy Campbell instructed us in the drills. Advancing; strategically repositioning to the rear; and opening the front rank for a snatch squad to charge out and come back with the prisoners. I remember somebody querying a statement that “…you drive everybody off the street”, with a question “..and what about innocent bystanders”? “Son”, came the reply, “by the time you get on the streets there will be no innocent bystanders”.
That set the mood for the afternoon.
Comdt Jack Haughton in 2013 reciting back action of Lewis gun as taught to him by a regular NCO in a lesson on the seafront in Bray in 1943. In conversation with The Colonel.
Admin edit: The author of this memoir is Dermot Bradley, who is sadly no longer with us. Dermot went on to be a highly respected historian and decorated civilian in Germany. His honours included the Verdienstkreuz 1st Class of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bundeswehr Cross of Honour in Gold (1993) and Honorary President of the Association of Defence and Security Policy in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
It was a great day for our “army”, having used tank operations of the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and Colonel General Heinz Guderian. After 24 hours of “fighting” we had won the day. This was in September 1959. The eldest of our “soldiers” was just under 16 years of age. We were well (-self) trained soldiers, having read everything available about the First and Second World Wars and Ireland’s policy of neutrality. We were the born soldiers, divided into two groups. All the local boys played our War Games. It was clear that we decided things so that our “German” group should win more frequently than the “Allied” group.
Back row L to R: ANO, Pat Ferguson, Dermot Murphy, John Hynes, Tom Allen, Peter O’Regan, Hugh O’Neill
Front Row: ANO, James Farrell, Gary Cullen, ANO, Des Byrne(?),ANO
Back Row: ANO, Pat Ferguson(?),Dermot Murphy, Tom Allen, Peter O’Regan, Hugh O’Neill
Front Row: James Farrell, ANO, Gary Cullen, ANO, Des Byrne, ANO
John Hynes
Tom Allen
Cpl. K McGuinness and a bored section
J Hynes, G Cullen, D Murphy, ANO, Tom Allen, Peter O’Regan
J Hynes, G Cullen, D Murphy, ANO, Tom Allen, Peter O’Regan
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).
