Post by Matt McNamara on Oct 20, 2008 3:18:35 GMT
I came across the following article in the Irish Times Archives. It is truly a tragic article of the death by accident of a British soldier while serving on The Curragh. The wording of the article amazes me and how this young man although a soldier was called a servant and even had a master, and how his comrades were treated after what must have been a shocking experience for them. The accident happened almost 150 years and a lot has changed socially, but the river Liffey at Athgarvan is still as dangerous today as it was the day of this accident.
Kildare, July 27, 1859 – Another melancholy instance of the danger arising from imprudent bathing has just occurred in this neighborhood.
A fine young man, aged 21 years, a private in the 55th Regiment, at present stationed at the Curragh Camp, a servant of one of the officers, and who, by his good conduct, had won high opinion of his master, received permission on Sunday last to go a short distance from the camp to see the country in the immediate neighborhood. Accompanied by three of his fellow servants he went to a village called Athgarvan, beside which the river Liffey flows, and forms a strong eddy, or sort of whirlpool, close to a flour mill, which is worked by its waters.
Induced by the extreme heat of the day and the tempting appearance of the water, they all determined on enjoying a bathe, although it is strictly forbidden for the soldiers of the Curragh to bathe anywhere unless accompanied by a commissioned or non-commissioned officer. Unfortunately none of the party knew how to swim and the place selected by them was very dangerous, being full of deep holes which sink down suddenly from a shallow part of the river. Into one of there this ill-fated young man got, without knowing his danger, and at once sunk to the bottom. Every effort was made to rescue him from death, but unfortunately without success, and strange to say his body was borne off by the violence of the current in that particular spot, and was not recovered until Tuesday afternoon. An inquest was held upon his remains and a verdict returned in accordance with above facts, his comrades, on their return to camp were placed under arrest, and are to be tried this day by Court Martial for transgressing orders.
Today the body of the drowned man was interred in the picturesque burying ground of Kildare Cathedral, and a large number of his fellow soldiers not only those of his own regiment but several from the other regiments at present on the Curragh were there evinced their sympathy and regret.
Matt
Kildare, July 27, 1859 – Another melancholy instance of the danger arising from imprudent bathing has just occurred in this neighborhood.
A fine young man, aged 21 years, a private in the 55th Regiment, at present stationed at the Curragh Camp, a servant of one of the officers, and who, by his good conduct, had won high opinion of his master, received permission on Sunday last to go a short distance from the camp to see the country in the immediate neighborhood. Accompanied by three of his fellow servants he went to a village called Athgarvan, beside which the river Liffey flows, and forms a strong eddy, or sort of whirlpool, close to a flour mill, which is worked by its waters.
Induced by the extreme heat of the day and the tempting appearance of the water, they all determined on enjoying a bathe, although it is strictly forbidden for the soldiers of the Curragh to bathe anywhere unless accompanied by a commissioned or non-commissioned officer. Unfortunately none of the party knew how to swim and the place selected by them was very dangerous, being full of deep holes which sink down suddenly from a shallow part of the river. Into one of there this ill-fated young man got, without knowing his danger, and at once sunk to the bottom. Every effort was made to rescue him from death, but unfortunately without success, and strange to say his body was borne off by the violence of the current in that particular spot, and was not recovered until Tuesday afternoon. An inquest was held upon his remains and a verdict returned in accordance with above facts, his comrades, on their return to camp were placed under arrest, and are to be tried this day by Court Martial for transgressing orders.
Today the body of the drowned man was interred in the picturesque burying ground of Kildare Cathedral, and a large number of his fellow soldiers not only those of his own regiment but several from the other regiments at present on the Curragh were there evinced their sympathy and regret.
Matt