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Post by Jackie O'neill on Dec 30, 2013 20:06:19 GMT
Hello. I'm trying to help my Mother track down and old friend of hers who was in the Curragh in the late 50's/early 60's. His name is Tommy Farrell and after he left the army he worked for CIE before eventually emigrating to Sydney Australia. He came to visit us when he was home on holiday in 1978 but they sadly lost touch after that. Any help would be gratefully received!! Thanks, Jackie
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Post by Jackie O'neill on Dec 30, 2013 20:09:02 GMT
BTW He WAS just a friend!! There are no secret babies or other surprises!! My Mother has just always spoken so fondly of Tommy over the years and she would dearly love to find out how he is.
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Post by johnny1951 on Dec 30, 2013 20:31:50 GMT
Hi Jackie welcome to he forum. If you could furnish a unit or barracks for Tommy, maybe someone will be able to get some information for you. best of luck in your quest. Happy new year to you and your family. Johnny
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Post by Jackie O'neill on Dec 30, 2013 20:47:46 GMT
Hi Johnny, Thanks for the reply! My Mam mentioned Plunkett and Pearce? Does that mean anything? And she thinks he lived in 27 or 28 O'Higgins tce. Tommy was originally from Tipp and was a friend of my Mam's cousin Dick Rochford (who was there at the same time) They all went to the local dances together
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Post by Jackie O'Neill on Dec 31, 2013 9:26:19 GMT
Looking through posts here I have seen Dick Rochfords name mentioned quite a few times. Hopefully someone who was there at the same time will remember Tommy.
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Post by johnny1951 on Jan 3, 2014 16:35:24 GMT
Hi Jackie I have looked through the names of all the Farrell's that lived in the camp and failed to find a Tommy Farrell,but came up with a P Farrell that lived in Plunkett Mqtrs in the time frame that you mentioned,and was in the 3rd BATT 57/59 his wife's name of Mary.the only other Farrell in that time frame would have been a Jimmy Farrell who was in the engineers from 1942-1967 the remainder would not be in your time frame, if you want to see the remainder of the Farrells that resided in the Curragh then go into the forum and go into Curragh Camp Married quarters to try and get more info. Sometimes it was the norm for guys to be called thos/tom John /jake etc,or nicknames in lieu of their real names but all persons living in Qtrs their Units and sometimes their spouses names are given. P.S Dick Rochford(RIP) lived in O'Higgins tce until his sad passing last year.and would have soldiered with the named Farrell. but maybe as i said before someone on the site may have some information for you. Failing that you could try and contact C.I.E. to see if they have any information for you. again good luck in your quest. bye for now Johnny
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Post by Jackie O'neill on Jan 6, 2014 16:26:09 GMT
Hi Johnny,
Thanks for your help. Are you saying that Dick Rochford stayed living in the camp until he died? I thought he lived in England? (he was a first cousin of my mother) As far as we know Tommy wasn't married when he lived here but he may have married after moving to Australia. Very strange that there is no one of that name listed.
Jackie
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Post by Hi Again on Jan 6, 2014 16:36:08 GMT
My mother thinks Tommy was there 1959-62. He wasn't married. He was a pionieer and he worked in the officers mess and drove bedford trucks. He had a friend called Michael McGloughlin, who lived on the camp with his parents and family..
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Post by kellquinn on Jan 7, 2014 10:08:10 GMT
Hi Jackie I know of a Tommy Farrell who lived in Pearse Married Quarters The Curragh in the 50s/60s and of whom I meet quite often, the fact that he lived in Pearse he would possibly have been a good friend of Michael Mc Loughlin, as they would be about the same age. Tommy's father ( Jim Farrell) was the Orderly Room Sgt in Mc Dermott Barracks Depot Corps of Engineers, in and around the late early 60s/70s. I know that Tommy went to England at some stage, The next time we meet I will ask him if he knows of any O Neill's, perhaps you might furnish your mother's first name. Regards and best wishes Kellquinn
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Post by Jackie O'neill on Jan 8, 2014 12:21:50 GMT
Hi Kellquinn
Thanks for the reply. As far as I'm aware Tommy didn't have any family in The Curragh. She also thinks he was a few years younger than her cousin Dick. My Mother's maiden name was Lily (Elizabeth) Kavanagh and she was from Sallynoggin in Co Dublin. She emigrated with my Dad (Joe Mason..who was also later in the Curragh and The Congo)to America in '63 but Tommy used to still visit her mother until he himself emigrated to Australia in the early 60's. Hope that all makes sense!!
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Post by andybrennan on Jan 8, 2014 23:08:55 GMT
hi
There were two Rochfords both cousins both soldiered on the Curragh as far as I know. Dick R.I.P as we fondly called and remember him Richard, Christian name, also his cousin Derek, a forum member who lives in England, contact him via PM , he may be able to help you.
Andy
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Post by johnny1951 on Jan 8, 2014 23:34:07 GMT
Hi Jackie well the wheels are in motion and hopefully you will get what information you seek, I will probably meet Mick McLoughlin tomorrow and i will mention your enquiries.so heres hoping that we will have more info for you then. as Andy said Dereck Rochford seems to be a good bet to get more information. so once more good look in your quest. Johnny
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Post by derekrochford on Jan 10, 2014 10:17:03 GMT
Hi Johnny and Andy, Was just reading the threads about the inquiry that Jackie had in relation to tracing a family friend. Fot the life of me I cannot recall anyone with the name Tommy Farrell, but that would not be unusual for me, as the old memory is not the best. Andy was right in that I was related to Dick Rochford RIP., he joined a good bit before I did. I enlisted in early 1959 and left in 1962. I served in McDonagh Bks., and did most of my time in 4th Motor Squadron in Plunkett Bks. As you know I was with 33rd Battalion in the Congo in 1960/61 and it seems that Tommy Farrell was there as well according to Jackie. Since I saw the query I have been racking my brain to see can I remember, but to no avail. I did start to remember a lot of other peoples names whom I had forgotten, so maybe something might come to mind. Tony (Ant), came to Plunkett about a year or two after me but his memory is much better than mine, so maybe Tony could help. Tony was in the 2nd Armour Squadron and served in the Congo with the 37th Btn. If anything does come to light I will come back on the site.
Glad to see that you are getting better Ned and that you still retain your sense of humour.
A belated Happy New Year to all, Regards,
Derek
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Post by andybrennan on Jan 11, 2014 23:22:16 GMT
Derek,
Away with you young lad a memory second to none you have.
Now I wonder where oh where is Ant Come in Tony your time is here
Andy
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Post by Jackie O'neill on Jan 17, 2014 9:12:59 GMT
Just to let you all know that (thanks to the power of Facebook where a post I put up was shared by many people until someone who knew Tommy saw it and contacted me)we have found him! He is alive and well and living in Sydney where he takes part in the Paddy's day parade every year with the Army vets. He was in the army from 1955-1960 and is now 77 years of age. Thanks to all for your help!! Great forum
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