Overturned Tank

[drylander]

???Hello People. A question for you Curragh people. I have no connection to the Curragh and am new to this site. Fantastic site. I have only been in the camp about four times in my life and doubt if I could find the water tower without help. The place facinates me and I enjoy going through all the threads about the place. My question is: While browsing through the old photo gallery I saw a picture of an overturned tank and trailer. Can anybody tell me where, when and why this happened and if anybody was hurt. Looking forward to getting some answer to this. Excellent site,keep the history coming in. Drylander

[JT]

The turnover happened in the 1940s because the driver was drunk as a skunk. He was driving an armchair general home who was also mouldy drunk having had a rough day talking war in Plunkett Officer's Mess. This is a fact.

[drylander]

Thanks for that info JT. Seems to be a bit of a story there. How on earth could you overturn a low loader with the weight of a tank on it. Where did it happen, was anybody injured and what was the driver's fate.

[JT]

The story is the officer after binging all day, talking about the battles he never saw, ordered the orderly sergeant from Plunkett to get him a driver to bring him home. It was now 11 at night. He insisted getting the low-loader driver out of bed. He himself was loaded having been drinking in the canteen all night.

He ordered Pvt. Shorthall to drive down the Atgarvan Road, the driver lost control moving into a ditch. No one was hurt. Pvt. Shorthall was cort-martialled and got 14 days in the digger. The officer was never charged.

[drylander]

Thanks JT for that info.Quiet a story. The mind boggles at the legality of the drivers court martial as he was ordered to drive. It's hard to imagine that no other form of transport was available. Thanks again for another interesting story from the Curragh area.
Drylander

[Sgt]

Hello Drylander,

In my old age i've seen a lot and realise that there is one set of rules interpreted in different ways depending on who gains. In the army, rank is power. Ego prevails and common sense takes a hike over the plains of the currgah.

Officers represent the system and the system is weak and as corrupt as those who benefit from. it. I spent 27 years in the army. I have never heard of a single officer been court martialled. NCOs and privates are sadly the scapegoats of those who walk free unscathed.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter cos I wasn't perfect myself. But I never broke the law like some officers who bilked the messes and stores like pimps controlling w**res in a brothel. How can you do wrong when you control the system?

I'm sure I'm not the only one with stories of those who think that thier pinkies don't stink.

Ex Sgt.

[dessie]

Ex Sgt,

There are many examples of double standards. I served in Cork (Collins Bks) and Plunkett. I remember a soldier's car was searched leaving Collins. The PAs found sods of turf in the boot. The soldier was charged with theft and docked two weeks pay.

A Comdt (name withheld) ordered a soldier to deliver bags of cement to his house in Newbridge. The soldier (name withheld) was stopped by the PAs on the Ballymany Road. He did not have a signed requisition because the officer didn't want his name attached to the req. The soldier was charged but he pled not guilty. The CO threw it out because of the Comdt's involvement.

Army justice always swings in favour of those who are allowed to get away with it.

Dessie.

[drylander]

:-XGentlemen. Thanks to everybody for their input into my query about the overturned tank. While it is not my intention to reopen old wounds or point the finger I have to agree with the comments expressed, ie. the foot soldier always being the scapegoat. It has always been so and will no doubt continue into the future. I have never served in the Army (8 years in the FCA) and remember most officers acted the same. My main interest is in the history of The Curragh and surrounding area. Also if there are any collectors out there you might like to contact me. I collect Unit Flashes, Collar Badges ,Medals Books and Photos. Irish Army Only. Also medals issued to any/all Irish Bns. on UN duty. I have a fair bit of spare stuff for trade only (I will buy badges/ medals but I do not Sell) as I am strictly a collector and not a dealer. Looking forward to hearing from any like minded person; Drylander

[tommyhetherington]

Hi drylander,
Valid point in your last post, I kow a few guys who collect and swap flashes etc one guy has a vast collection and has just left the army " Bobby D " from the Mil Col I will check with them and E-Mail you shortly

Tommy H