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Post by Matt McNamara on May 13, 2009 15:19:07 GMT
Maurice Madden Service Record My Grandfather Maurice Madden Regiment No: 7245: served with the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. The Battalion was formed in France on the 1st September 1917 from the remains of the dismounted 1st and 2nd South Irish Horse. The Battalion entered the British Orbat (order of battle) on the 14th October 1917 (ironically 4 days after his older brother John Madden was killed at the battle of Passchendaele. his Battalion formed part of the 49th Brigade, 16th Division. And the actions they took part in were, Battle of St Quentin 21st -23rd March 1918 Battle of Rosieres 26th - 27th March 1918 My Grandfather Maurice Maddens Medals On the 4th July 1918 it was transferred to the 21st Brigade, 30th Division. The 30th Division then took part in the following actions. The Advance in Flanders 18th August - 6th September 1918 Battle of Ypres 23 September - 2nd October 1918 Battle of Courtrai 14th - 19th October 1918 It seems like this was their last action before Armistice. Maurice Madden's Medal Card show his Regiment No's The Battalion was then demobbed sometime between May and September 1919. It's at this point that my Grandfather must have been offered and took the opportunity to transfer to the Connaught Rangers Service No 35155, who sailed to India in October 1919. During the Summer of 1920 The Connaught Rangers held a mutiny against the crown over the treatment of the Black and Tans on the Irish people back home. The mutiny was finally quelled after a number of days. In the following weeks over 400 men including my Grandfather were tried in a Court Martial and given various sentences for their actions. One Private soldier, James Daly (21) was shot by firing squad in Dagahai Prison as a warning to the others. Connaught Rangers Medal Roll The Connaught Rangers returnes to England in June 1922. The colours were laid up and the Regiment disbanded on 31 July 1922. Returning to Ireland in 1922 as a trained and experienced soldier he joined the then fledging Irish Army, Service No: 22640, B Coy 34th Infantry Battalion 1 Western Division in around the Tuam area. His Unit was involved in a few skirmishes with the IRA in the Claremorris area of Co Mayo. After the Irish Civil War he went working as a Lines Man G.S. & W.R. . However when WW II broke out he joined backup in the LDF and served with them during the emergency. Maurice Madden member of the Guard of Honor for the funeral of James Daly 1970 To me my Grandfather was always an old man and I never imagined that he was ever in the military and he never really mentioned it to my mother. It is only when I started my research that I came across all this information. My mothers cousin supplied me with a lot of information and he met with my Grandfather a lot and talked with him about his time in the service, but a true soldier when it came to throwing a break about his time service. He had a small “entrenching tool” that he used as an old man in his little garden plot at the back of his house, and when my mother’s cousin asked him where he got it, he said “He was issued it during WW I, and that many a German got it over the head”Documents I have reconstructed from files held on microfile in Irish Army Archives. Irish Military Service (Civil War Period) www.curragh.info/images/madden/madden1.pdfIrish Volunteer Reserve July 1922 www.curragh.info/images/madden/madden2.pdfMatt |
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Post by Matt McNamara on May 14, 2009 17:06:03 GMT
John Madden Service Record John Madden Of the three Madden Brothers from Tuam Co Galway who went off to fight in WW I, John was the unlucky one. He was the oldest brother born in 1893. Where John joined the Army and with what unit is unknown, but he ended his days in an English Regiment called the East Surrey Regiment, he was part of the 1st Battalion Regiment number :32503 At the age of 23 he was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele on the 10th October 1917. John's body was never recovered , but is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial. Johns Medal Card John is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial The following article is from the War diary of the East Surrey Regiment and what it says about 1st Battalion in and around the 10th October 1917 As part of an operation subsidiary to the Battle of Poelcapelle, which was fought some distance to the north of Polygon Wood, the 5th Division was ordered to complete the capture of the Polderhoek Spur on the 9 October. Certain changes of position took place, therefore, during the night of the 8th. The 1st Battalion. East Surrey was ordered to move back to Bedford House on the canal bank, but at the last moment its destination was changed to Sanctuary Wood, where it was to be held in reserve. This change made the task of the guides very difficult, but eventually the Battalion found its way to the remains of the wood and settled down in such cover as could be found, again chiefly shell holes. The 9th was a fine day, but rain came on again at night. The renewed attack was launched by the 15th Brigade at 5.20 am, and was unsuccessful, Polderhoek Château again holding up the Division. At 11.30 am., when the artillery fire had slackened somewhat, the 1st Battalion East Surrey moved back by companies to the canal bank, where dinners were issued, and at 4p.m. marched to huts in Ridge Wood, where it passed the night. A tree was planted recently in memory of John The following presentation I created last year and is a tribute to my Grand Uncle John Madden and all Irishmen and Women who died in WW I. It shows the horrors of war and in particular the Battle of Passchendaele. Link: www.curragh.info/images/madden/johnmadden.ppsMatt |
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Post by andybrennan on May 14, 2009 21:41:42 GMT
Very interesting Matt, I enjoyed reading it
Regards Andy
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Post by Matt McNamara on May 17, 2009 18:38:17 GMT
Edward Madden Sservice Record The third and final Madden brother who saw active service during WW I was Edward (Eddie) Madden. He was the second oldest of the three brothers and coming from Tuam Co Galway joined the Connaught Rangers. Regiment No 5274 When he joined up and how long he was in the military is unknown, but he died a young man in 1937 and is buried in Tuam. |
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Post by Louis Parminter on May 19, 2009 15:13:16 GMT
Hi Matt,
Great to see all the research. This is just a quick reply as I have just returned home and have been on the go since 4am this morning traveling up country, 6 hours driving + 8 hours working and I have a glass of Jameson awaiting my pleasure! Will reply further in time but wanted to let you know that the Colours of the South Irish Horse are in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. I remember it were damaged at some stage (probably about 20 years ago or so) and there was a 'special operation' to replace same with Military Honours. At the time there was to my best recollection only one survivor of the Regiment still living in Ireland.
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Post by Louis Parminter on May 21, 2009 9:54:59 GMT
1914 Great War 1918
'And I saw Heaven opened and beheld a white horse and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his name was called The Word of God. And the armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords' Erected by their comrades. This memorial was designed by Sir Nevile Wilkinson. Source p 84/85 The Monuments in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin by Victor Jackson 1987.
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Post by Louis Parminter on May 21, 2009 9:59:24 GMT
Matt, the first half of the message went missing!
Bronze plaque erected below the Colours of the South Irish Horse in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
Bronze plaque in the four corners of which are the words France, Flanders, Palestine, Egypt. In memory of the officers, non-commisioned officers and troopers of the South Irish Horse who gave their lives in the:
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Post by Matt McNamara on May 21, 2009 11:14:43 GMT
Matt, the first half of the message went missing! Bronze plaque erected below the Colours of the South Irish Horse in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Bronze plaque in the four corners of which are the words France, Flanders, Palestine, Egypt. In memory of the officers, non-commisioned officers and troopers of the South Irish Horse who gave their lives in the: Hi Louis Thank you very much, I never know that there was such a memorial plaque. So armed with your information I did a Google search and came up with the a picture of the plaque. I think when I am home on leave I will go and have a look at the real thing, Thanks again Matt |
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Post by Louis Parminter on May 21, 2009 13:08:21 GMT
Matt,
That is brilliant, you are a step ahead of me. If you go to the Cathedral when home on leave ask for Louis Parminter (my son) and if he has time he will give you a tour of the various memorials. I will try to compose a list for anybody that may be interested.
regards
Louis
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Post by Matt McNamara on May 21, 2009 13:54:12 GMT
Matt, That is brilliant, you are a step ahead of me. If you go to the Cathedral when home on leave ask for Louis Parminter (my son) and if he has time he will give you a tour of the various memorials. I will try to compose a list for anybody that may be interested. regards Louis Hi Louis I will do as my own son and I have a path worn out to the Collins Barracks Museum where there in a fine Military display and a new Irish Army display opened last year, well worth a visit. He loves the whole military history and displays. I wonder where he gets it from  Thanks again Louis and all the best and take care. Matt |
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Post by Matt McNamara on May 21, 2009 14:07:48 GMT
Peter McNamara Service Record My Father Peter McNamara like many young men of that time joined the military during the Emergency period. He was part of the LDF (Local Defence Force) in the Edgeworthstown area Co Longford. Having come from a farming background he obviously liked army life as he transferred from the LDF into the PDF (Permanent Defence Force) , Service No 85510. He was posted to the 4th Field Engineers in Athlone Barracks. After the emergency he was then transferred to The Curragh Camp and spent some time with the Engineers, before transferring to the Military College sometime during the 1950’s. He remained there until he retired as a Corporal in 1983 having completed over 42 years service. Matt |
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Post by Olive McNamara (Tierney) on May 24, 2009 0:07:42 GMT
Hi matt, How are you? All great here tg. Looking forward to seeing you next saturday. Matt had a great read there about grand father and his brothers rest in peace, did not know you had done some much research, made me feel very proud. "When Daly died died those drums did beat" I remember you telling me about that not so long ago, now i have put it all together after ready all about it. ok matt time for my bed,please god i will chat with you soon, take care and god bless, olive x x x
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Post by Olive McNamara (Tierney) on May 24, 2009 0:21:44 GMT
Hi Louie, how are you marylou, Shane and can not remember the other little boys name?
Great to see you are in contact with Matt. All great here louie thank god. Seamie is still serving, but i dont think it will be for too long more. Sandra is great, she is stationed in Dundalk and getting on really well. Ciaran has his first year in college over with and Tomas is going in to 3rd year in sept. Where are the years going louie? I will always remember the great times we had in Pearse and the many visit we had over with you, it was my first time to drink bailys and brandy, the were great times. Were you home on holidays lately? Louie give Marylou and the boys and big hug and kiss for me, and the next time ye are home you will have to call and visit us in Martinstown. OK Louie i will say cheers and god bless for now, take care for now, Olive x
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Post by Louis Parminter on Jun 10, 2009 9:00:04 GMT
Hi Olive,
Forgive my delay in replying as apart from IT problems I have been up to my eyes here between work and the Coast Guard and U.N. Shane 15 now and there is no holding him back. Darren was born after we left the Curragh and is now 9 (time flies huh!) and if the friendliest guy you could meet. Give Seamus our regards (ask him if he remembers helping the sheep to give birth behind flagstaff house!) Also delighted to hear that Olive is doing so well, always guessed she would as she had a great manner (and she did not pick that up off the ground either). Ciaran in college, wow, I am getting old and Tomas moving along rapidly as well. Havent been home in a few years, but whenever we do make it back there we would love to meet up. Love to all there from Marylou and myself. XX
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Post by Matt McNamara on Nov 5, 2011 20:12:43 GMT
Hi All
A small presentation on my Grand-Uncle John Madden as mentioned above. John was 23 years of age when he was killed at Passchendaele on the 10th October 1917 during WW I. John was from Milltown, Tuam, Co Galway and like many other Irishmen and Women was never to return home. Around 30,000 Irish were to die in the terrible war and yet were forgotten with in a generation. It’s time to remember them !!
Matt
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