Proud Irishman

[Former Soldier]

Greetings from a Soldier,

I hail from a town near the Curragh. I can’t give my name because I still fear for my safety. Some of you might think me stupid, but I don’t want to take the chance because some people in Ireland still consider me as a traitor. In 1987, following in the footsteps of my older brother and two Uncles, I tried to join the Irish Army but was unable to do so because they said I was short sighted. My brother served in Cyprus and the Lebanon. I envied him so much in a nice way. My dream of becoming a soldier and emanating my brother and Uncles were shattered. I left Ireland armed with my group cert and £50 in my pocket.

Two years living in a dismal bedsit in Stoke Newington was a strain. I was miserable. Working construction gave me the independence I yearned for. Being laid off for the third time pee’d me off. Now 19 years old, I walked into a recruiting office near Trafalgar Square and signed up for the British Army. My life changed forever! The doctor told me that my left eye was “lazy” but was easy to fix. Several months later, I proudly wore the uniform of the Welsh Guards. Within two years I was a corporal and a sergeant after three years. It took both my uncle’s 15 years to achieve the same rank. My brother was happy to stay a private. I was glad he was in the Irish Army because the Welsh Guards would have forced him out after six years if he hadn’t become an NCO. I retired as a Warrant Officer Class Two.

I’ve seen active service in three wars over the last 20 years (4 years away from home). I have served with lads for the four corners of Ireland. Most of them came from a situation similar as me. Having said that, we never lost our roots. When we’re home we never let on who we are or what we’ve done.

My Uncles and brother have since retired as I have. Thankfully my pension has not been reduced like theirs has. For those young people who are rejected by the army at home, there are many options available elsewhere. I say to you - try it! You won’t look back.

I remain a proud Irishman who served in the Welsh Guards!

[kellquinn]

To Former Soldier.
Well done for telling your story, and very well done on your achievement. It was sadly to say the theme of the day when young men who could have joined the Irish Defence Forces, were forced to go abroad to further their life skills. This brought on by the incompetence of some of those that carried out Medical exams and so on in the Defence Forces. Indeed, I know of many a young boy and girl who were forced to do as you did and have reached great ranks in the various Regiments of the British Army and the American Armed Forces. I am glad to see that the British Army looks after its Soldiers and do not chip away at their well-earned pensions like our Government. I agree with you wholeheartedly when you say that any young boy or girl who has been rejected by our Defence Forces should look further afield. You should not be afraid to identify and hide the fact that you have served with the British Army; indeed your Regiment has many battle honours and VCs. Those old Prejudices have long since passed, and it should be known that our Defence Forces have for the past few years entertained the Irish Guards here in the Curragh with some very competitive games of Golf in A Bond of Friendship, they have in turn entertained us in Aldershot and Catterick under the same Auspices. I can see that you are very proud to have served with the Welsh Guards, as are all Soldiers are proud to have served with their various units and countries. Again well done on highlighting your story and if ever we should meet I would be glad to buy you a pint. I have served with the Irish Defence Forces and retired a Sgt.
Regards and all the best
Joe Kelly
` CYMRU AM. BYTH ` Wales forever The Motto of the Welsh Guards
The Welsh Guards was raised on 26 February 1915 by order of King George V, in order to complete the national complement of regiments of Foot Guards identified with the countries of the United Kingdom. The Welsh Guards could now take their place alongside the English Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards and the Irish Guards. Two days later, the Battalion mounted its first King's Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 - St David's Day.

[kelly]

well said proud irishman! I was a Tpr in the regular Irish army
(now called the P,D,F ) after demob in 1955 I left for England
to find work as a lot of us did, anyway I was given notice of
call up for national service to the British Army! I wasnt too
keen for that and after a long battle with the ministry no further
action was taken,because of my service in the Irish Army
By this time I was missing the comradeship you get as a soldier
and I joined the Cambridgeshire Regiment,T,A and was promoted
to sergeant within 18 months, I left after 4years
I believe I did my bit for Ireland and I also done my bit for
for the country that has given me a good living for which I am
gratefull, I am also a proud Irishman,
Ex Tpr 1st Armd Sqdn and Ex Sgt Cambridgeshire Regt,T,A

[Matt McNamara]

Former Soldier

Welcome to the forum and for your piece on your time in the military. I joined the Defence Forces in 1985 after a long embargo on recruitment. But to cut a long story short, having got fed up with waiting around for the recruitment to begin again I applied to the British Army for information on recruitment and within days I received a large brown envelope with information on recruitment and how a lad from Ireland could be processed. Two days later I was contacted by the Defence Forces with information to report to B Coy 3 Infantry Battalion, Connolly Barracks. After much deliberation I headed up to The Curragh to begin my career in the Defence Forces. I am still serving and still enjoy the work that I do and of course the camaraderie that army life brings. I too have been to a number of “nice” places around the globe in a peacekeeping role and have been lucky to meet up with some Irish lads serving in the British Army and have enjoyed their company.

I think it is fair to say that young lads today have a great opportunity to serve in the British Army without having to worry about looking over their shoulder every time they are home on leave, but there will always be an element of republicans or dissidents or what every they go by these days that will be envious of these lads that went out there and made a career for themselves in the military, no matter which army they serve.

I still always wonder what sort of career I would have had and where I would be now if I had chosen to alternative option in the large brown envelope back in 1985

Matt

[Forgotten]

Matt,

You would have been a colonel if you made the move. That's the REAL difference! The Brits appreciate talent and leadership.

[johnnykelly]

Re:Proud Irishman
Hello proud IRISHMAN and welcome to the forum, nice to hear your story and to let you know that you are not the only one that has had to hide their membership of joining up across the water.
but times have changed for the better and like Matt i too applied to join up across the water and my call up papers arrived for me to report up to Belfast for my medical when my Mother took the papers down from the mantlepiece and into the fire, so that ended my attempt to join up as a junior soldier (apprentice) so out of school and up to McDonagh as soon as i was 17 and never to look back in anger, during my trips o/seas i soldiered with Irishman /woman in the British and on duty one night there was a brit a welsh a scot and an argi and me as guard commander and the crack was 90. but the tales that the squaddies were telling me about their promotional prospects, if one had a good education promotion came fast up the ranks. and as most of our young lads hungered for the chance to follow their family history into the Irish forces only to be denied by recruitment embargo's across the water they went and if they had FCA training or Regular service they were welcomed with open arms, Now we have the RDF(FCA) being DEMOBBED and our regular Army being cut back, so across the water we will have to go to follow the dream of military service. not so long ago the Canadian and Aussie forces canvassed in Ireland for young x servicemen to join up in their various, so i can see a mass attraction across the waters of the world for good soldier material from our shores.
bye for now
Johnny

[andybrennan]

Hi,

I can understand and empathize with your words a whole lot of truth in them.
I personally have not had that type of threat directed at me but I can remember my sibling having to endure it, the ravings of mindless gits, pity is that it still exists and by those who have no clue as to why they feel such prejudice.
I oft wonder do we learn?
Any rate you made a good life for your self and are not only proud to be Irish but have the balls to stand up and be proud of the country that has giving you this good life and continues to support you.

Andy

[andybrennan]

Matt
I have no doubt but if you had answered that other call, that you would have excelled on the way to the top of the ladder, on the other hand you might then not have set ip this site or worse not have married the lady you did, and not have being able to introduce me to that fine young chap, on Cav day ,your son.

[Matt McNamara]

Hi Andy

Like the former soldier I wouldn’t change anything. Life has a way of sorting things out and I suppose the decision I made in 1985 mapped my future and where I am today. But back in the 80’s during a major recession like what we are going through now, all I wanted to do was join the army. That option wasn’t available but across the water they were willing to take me and I suppose many others at that time. It still amazes me how both options finally arrived in the same week.

Matt