by Joe Power
The rejection by the vast majority of prisoners of Sir Roger Casement’s overtures to form an Irish Brigade among the prisoners to fight for an Irish republic was also reflected in the general attitude of soldiers at the front towards the 1916 uprising. The phrase, ‘gallant allies in Europe’ (that is, the Germans), in the 1916 Proclamation annoyed and disgusted the soldiers who faced the ‘Huns’ in mortal combat in the trenches. Tom Kettle, MP, wrote that ‘the Sinn Féin nightmare upset him a little’. John Lucy, a sergeant with the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, noted, ‘my fellow soldiers had no great sympathy with the rebels, but got fed up when they heard of the executions of the leaders.’ Fr Henry Gill, chaplain to the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, wrote that ‘on the whole, the event created very little comment. ‘
The Germans when they heard of the rebellion tried to discourage the Irish troops in the British Army by putting up placards denouncing the English suppression of the rising. However, the Irish soldiers were, apparently, not impressed by the German propaganda. The 8th Royal Munster Fusiliers captured a placard erected by the Germans, which read, ‘Irishmen! Heavy uproar in Ireland, English guns are firing at your wives and children!’ The placard was later presented to King George. The 7th Leinster regiment played ‘Rule Brittania’ in response to the placards. The 9th Royal Munster Fusiliers hung an effigy of Sir Roger Casement in no man’s land.27
‘From Somewhere in France’
Late in November Willie Redmond, MP, sent a letter to his friend in Ennis, Councillor P.J. Linnane, JP, expressing his downhearted opinion on the Easter Rising, which he regarded as ‘foolish and uncalled for’.
Headquarters
16th Division
B.E.F.
23.11.’16
My dear PJ,
I have been intending to write to you for a long time, but as you will understand, it is not easy out here as there is a great deal to do. I am keeping very well so far thank God and I sincerely hope you, Mrs. Linnane and your family are the same. I wonder will I ever see you in Ennis anymore. It is nearly 25 years since we met now and I must say in all that time no one was so good as yourself and whether we meet or not I shall always have the warmest regard for you.
I had not the heart to write to you about the Rising. It seemed to me so foolish and uncalled for, just when Home Rule was absolutely certain. You would think the worst enemies of Ireland could not have planned a worse stroke to injure us in all ways. Long ago I could have understood anything but now when we have won so much and were at the threshold of victory it seemed to me to be madness to set up a rebellion which could only end one way.
I need not tell you I came here to help what I thought was best for the country. I still believe the Irish part in the war makes our own chance of Home Rule certain … I have seen a great deal and the more I see the better pleased I am that Ireland is against the Germans in this war. I would be sorry to see Ireland at the tender mercy of the men who ruined poor little Belgium.
The Irish troops here have won a great name for themselves by their bravery and work. I did my six months work commanding a company in the trenches and now I am attached to headquarters and still visit the troops in the trenches and give what help I can. I need not say I feel being away from home, but I do not like leaving the men. I will stick to them as long as I can. I have been a year here now, all but a few weeks. I had one or two letters from the Bishop (Dr Fogarty), but from no one else in Clare in all the time. With my very best to you and Mrs Linnane and hoping you will have every good for yourself and your family.
I am as ever,
Your sincere friend,
William Redmond28
Councillor P.J. Linnane, artist unknown. (Courtesy of Dr Michael Linnane)
Maj. Willie Redmond, MP, had several letters from the front published in the press. Between 17 August 1916 and 19 April 1917 he contributed a series of articles dealing with various aspects of life in the Western Front, which were published anonymously in the Daily Chronicle. These articles were later published after his death in a book called Trench Pictures from France. He also wrote a couple of letters to Dr Fogarty, and to Mr P.J., Linnane, Ennis, describing his experience of trench warfare and these letters were published in the local newspapers:
My Dear Lord, just a line to let you know that I am all well, for which I may certainly thank God … Our first spell in the trenches was for 12 days and in that time we had no change of clothing, just stayed as we were all the time. The shelling was terrific and the division suffered some losses. The day before we came out the enemy began to celebrate the Kaiser’s birthday and we were shelled without ceasing for 24 hours … The men of our division behaved very well and received good reports, so the general says. Our men are very attentive to their chaplains and flock into the churches in the little French villages. I was in one place where amidst ruin all around a big crucifix stood untouched. The destruction and suffering I have encountered, even in a short time is truly appalling. I am sure we have your prayers. With my best wishes to you, Canon O’Dea, and all who care to hear of me.
Yours Sincerely,
Willie Redmond.
Later in the year, Willie Redmond sent another letter to Linnane in Ennis, in which he wrote about more of his war experiences: ‘The 16th Irish Division never lost a trench; this is due to the moral superiority of our men, and the gallant conduct of the troops. The division needs re-enforcement. All who love Ireland should unite to keep the 16th Irish Division at Loos after the hard-fought battles of Guillemont and Givinchy’.
In the book, Trench Pictures from France, Willie Redmond wrote about life in the British Army on the Western Front, including the role of the Catholic clergy and religion:
It is a strange scene in this church at night. Entering it all is dark save for the few flickering candles on the altar before which the priest kneels to say the prayers. It is only when the men join in that one becomes aware that the church is really full; and it is solemn and appealing beyond words to describe – when up from the darkness rises the great chorus of hundreds of voices in prayer – the darkness seems to add impressiveness to the prayers, whilst from the outside are heard the rumble and roar of the guns, which not so very far away, are dealing out death and agony to the comrades of the men who are praying …
The day and night before a battalion goes to the trenches the chaplains are busy in the churches, for the men throng to Confession, and it is a wonderful and most faith-inspiring sight to see them in hundreds approaching the altar before marching off to danger and in many cases to death itself …
Nothing is more noticeable than the way the Catholic soldier holds by his beads. The rosary beads seem always to be treasured, and every soldier at mass seems to have them. Prayer books are often missing, but the rosary, as a rule, never is. Of all the symbols of his faith, the soldier’s rosary is foremost. The rosary beads are usually placed around the dead man’s neck before he is wrapped in his blanket for burial …
When the turn in the trenches is over and the men resume their rosary in the darkened church in the evenings, there are always some absent, ones who were there the week before. For this very reason perhaps – because of the comrades who will never kneel by them again – the men pray all the more fervently and with ever increasing earnestness say, ‘May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace’…
Mass has been said in the very trenches and the writer has attended Mass in many a ruined church and in many a shell-wrecked shelter. And ever, as always, the men are the same, devoted and earnest, the more wretched their surroundings, the more eager they are.
With all the evil that has followed in its train, it is good to find at least one beneficial result from the war. It has led to the revival of religion in a most remarkable way …29
Pte John Power from Clare Castle, a dental student at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, who had enlisted in the 10th Battalion (‘Pals’ Division) of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, sent a couple of letters home to his f
amily. His first letter, part of which is missing, posted from ‘somewhere in France’ was written to his mother just before he entered the war zone. In the second letter he wrote to his sister Mary, describing his life and needs in the trenches. Religion was clearly important to him at the front. His mood seemed cheerful, despite the horrors he was witnessing in battle:
J. Power, 26017, “C” company, 10th Service Batt., R.D.F., B.E.F., France
Tuesday 22/8/’16
Dear mother,
I’m delighted I had an opportunity of saying good-bye to you before I left, I’m only sorry I hadn’t a chance of doing so with father (especially) and the rest. I’ve done so often in spirit. I don’t think I’d be allowed to tell you where I am, but we’re well within sound of the guns, and expect to be going into the trenches shortly. I feel absolutely in the best of form (T.G.) and had Confession and Communion just before I left. There was a rumour that we were going to stop where Tim (his brother in the Royal Army Medical Corps) is, but we passed through. I was terribly disappointed not to see him and I’ve lost his address …
27/10/1916
My dear Mary,
I was never as thankful for anything as I was for your last parcel. We had just come out of the trenches when I received it; I didn’t half start on it. I got through alright this time again, thank God. I wrote to Tim, and had an answer. His ears seem to be troubling him again, I will leave it to your own discretion whether you tell mother or not. We did a lot of roaming about lately, but we are settled down now somewhat.
It’s very cold here at present, so I wish you’d send me some warm socks. I’m very glad to hear father and mother and you all are well at home. It’s a great tonic to me to know it. We’re in tents at present, and when the rain comes it’s mud, mud everywhere. Mud and jam will be my two pet aversions when I get back.
I’m sure you will smile (taking good care you didn’t let me see you), if you saw me before I started this letter, sitting by the camp fire (i.e. the candle) stitching in buttons that absolutely refuse to stay in.
All the boys here are in good spirits. When you see them you know we are winning. I don’t believe they’d stop at anything. We had (in my battalion), a good many casualties this time compared with the last. We’ve got a very good chaplain who gives us Communion and General Absolution if we haven’t time for Confession, before we go in the trenches.
Are you going back to [the Dominican Convent in] Cabra? I expect you’ve had your holidays and hope you enjoyed them. I’ve gone one better this time in having them on the continent! I hope Frank is in good health. He might drop me a line and let me know some news. I would love to hear from him. I trust that father, mother, Bunny, George, and Joe are well. I heard from Christy, he’s a great little chap. I must finish now, expecting to hear from you soon.
From your loving brother,
John.
Six months after his death, his sister Mary received a letter from Joseph P. Carroll, who had soldiered with John Power in Flanders:
Dear Miss Power,
It will be a little surprise to you to receive the contents of this envelope. I was one of your dear brother’s ‘mates’ in the Dubliners and lived with him all through our soldiering days, so I may claim to say to you that he was one of my best chums. My brother also (he was killed on Feb 7) was in the same section and was commander of section 5 to which Jack belonged. We have just received my brother’s personal effects from France and amongst them was the enclosed wallet, which I presume Jack wished to return to you and I am carrying out his wish.
With it may I offer you my sincere sympathy. Words are such poor means of expression in circumstances like this and knowing full well what it means in France (I was wounded, November 13, the same day poor Jack was killed). I do hope that your people will feel that he is better off. Please understand that I do not wish to re-open the sad event, but I am sure you will be glad to have this token of remembrance. May he rest in peace.
Memorial Card. (Courtesy of Ada Power)
Yours Sincerely, Joseph P. Carroll.30
A 1916 War Diary
Extracts from the war diary of the Hon. Donough E. O’Brien, 2nd Lieutenant. Kings Rifles Brigade, 1916:
Thursday 26 October – Rained all day, reported to camp adjutant, allotted quarters, no. 11 camp, which consisted of minute canvas and wood shack, holding two, which I shared with MacGregor; bed, table and work stand made of packing cases.
Friday 27 October – Posted to 1st Batt., went up to Central Training Camp, [CTC] for lectures on bombing, skirmishing and patrolling, poured with rain all afternoon, night frightfully cold.
Monday 30 October – Went for a ten mile route march, column counting about 5,000 men, drenching rain the whole time, three and a half hours, everyone wet through to the skin.
Thursday 2 November – Rained all day, attended most excellent lecture on spirit of bayonet fighting, also gas and work to be done in trenches by company and platoon officers, went to watch boxing competitions.
Monday 6 November – Was orderly officer, spent day, except during duty, censoring letters, generally between 300 to 500 letters, rained all night.
Wednesday 8 November – Rained most of the day … in the afternoon paid out my detail, 1st Batt., dined with Blake and Rowley at KRR [King’s Rifle Regiment], officer’s mess, worst storm of thunder, lightning rain and hail I have ever seen.
Sunday 12 November – Took RC church parade and attended my first service in RC church. Went to opera (Faust) in the evening in the Grande Theatre du Havre, this is my first opera.
Monday 13 November – On musketry all day, 30 yards range. In evening went to excellent concert given for the soldiers in Woodbine Hut [Miss Vera Askwell].
Thursday 16 November – I was orderly officer, bitterly cold day, had to wash in water with ice on it in the morning.
Wednesday 22 November – Threw live bombs, rained very hard during the night.
Thursday 23 November – C.T.S. went through gas and saw demonstrations of phosphorous and smoke bombs, day fine, but heavy showers.
Saturday 2 December – Musketry, 30 yards range all morning, billiards, Leake brought over draughts. Dinner in Havre at Hotel Moderne …
Friday 8 December – A large draft was suddenly called for and about 500 men were sent up to the line this evening. I spent practically the whole day censoring letters.
Tuesday 12 December – I received orders to join my unit and conduct a draft of King’s Rifle Regt. (to the front).
Wednesday 13 December – We marched down to Havre and left at 11.30 pm; roads very bad and we were heavily laden; we drew three days rations and iron rations, detrained at Rouen.
Thursday 14 December – I took the men to a rest camp at Rouen. Had a very good bath and excellent lunch at the Officers’ Club. Entrained at 2.30 pm, men travelled in ordinary luggage vans, 30 per van.31
This was the last entry in the diary. The diary is useful for a number of reasons. It gives a very good insight into the work of junior officers behind the front lines, drilling, inspecting the men, getting experience of trench work, gas warfare, route marching, bayonet fighting etc. Besides all this, there were duties as orderly officer in paying the men’s wages, taking them on Sunday parade to church or chapel, and censoring their letters. It seems that the men were requested or advised to send letters home after they received instructions to go up to the front lines.
Of course there was also rest and recreation, which largely took place at Le Havre, where among other activities he saw an opera and had dinner on several occasions with other officer friends. There was also a concert for the men and visits to cinemas, a boxing tournament, games of cards and board games such as draughts, as well as billiards. The men would have also played sports such as soccer, rugby and cricket.
He frequently commented upon the weather, which was quite wet, cold and wintry, between the last week of October and mid-December. It must be remembered that the soldiers had to fight in these wintry conditions.
Lt the Hon. Donogh O’Brien in 1917.
(Courtesy of the Hon. Grania R. O’Brien)
Freeman of Limerick
In September Bishop O’Dwyer, as a tribute to his outstanding contribution to nationalism, was made a Freeman of the City of Limerick. During his acceptance speech, about which he consulted Bishop Fogarty, Bishop O’Dwyer publicly declared his support for the Sinn Féin policies, stating, ‘I will now state my alternative to the Party (the Home Rule Party) who trust the Liberals … in my judgement, Sinn Féin is the true principle, and alliance with English politicians is the alliance of the lamb with the wolf; and is it is at this point precisely that I differ from present political leaders [John Redmond], and believe that they have led and are leading the National Cause to disaster.’ Dr Fogarty wrote to his friend, congratulating him on his speech and stating that it was widely read and appreciated. ‘The great body of people, especially the young, male and female, are in boundless admiration of you.’ Bishop O’Dwyer’s outspoken support for Sinn Féin damaged both the party of John Redmond and his policy of support for the war. Naturally, it did not encourage recruitment in the region.32
Bishop Edward Thomas O’Dwyer.
(Courtesy of limerickdioceseheritage.org)
