A thousand thanks

[drylander]

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and that of my friend to Tommy Heatherington for the wonderful day we had last Tuesday. I finally got to fulfil a life long ambition to visit a place that for some unknown reason facinates me. Everybody was so friendly and helpful and no question was considered too stupid and was answered with so much information it was hard to take it all in. Everywhere we went we were greeted with such friendliness you would think we were "Born Under the shadow". Two questions I asked on this forum some time ago were answered by the members I now have photos to prove they exist. One was the etching of the sentry on the wall, the other i sneaked down to take photos of the railway tracks after Tommy had gone home. I also visited the old military cemetery, something I had planned for years. Lastly a place I never heard of was "Flagstaff" to see the old trenches that were dug as training for British Forces prior to departing for service in France. In all the excitement we forgot to visit Donnellys Hollow even though we were only a few yards away from it. That will be a good excuse to make another visit. Once again on behalf of my friend and myself may I say a thousand thanks to Tommy and his comrades for their hospitality and making it such a wonderful and memorable day for us both. One that will long be remembered.
.

[tommyhetherington]

Hi Drylander,

Thanks to you for your kind words the pleasure was all mine.

Kind Regards

Tommy H

[Martin Christie]

hi drylander

curragh camp is somthing you just cant explane to anyone, it's just a different land inside ireland. i'm glad you enjoyed it, it was a magic place to grow up in. aventure every day


martin (sears) christie

[Sean Tracey]

;D I couldnt agree more Martin The Curragh Camp was and still is Irish Hospitilaty at its best. Cheers Sean Tracey

[drylander]

You're certainly right about the hospitality Sean. While I was there a bus load of special needs children and three mini-buses of wheelchair bound children were paying a visit to the camp. To see the way these unfortunate people were treated was amazing. Not just by their carers, but by the troops as well, both male and female. The trouble taken to explain the various uses of weapons, vehicles and other pieces of equipment was an eye opener. The joy on their faces when they were allowed to handle some of the weapons was worth seeing. Their day finished up with a lovely meal in the dining hall where again all their needs were catered for. I have never seen such a happier bunch of kids boarding the busses to return home. The way some of us moan about the few auld pains and aches we have we should be ashamed of ourselves, myself included. A big well done to the army and especially to the people of the camp. While visiting the old cemetery we saw a few gravestones to members of the Royal Dublin Fus. My friends Dad served with this unit in France 1916 /18 and survived the war relatively unscathed and he was wondering if they were stationed in the camp at any stage. If so what years. Once again thanks to Tommy and everybody in the camp for a very memorable day. A return visit is a must in the not too distant future.

[Louis Parminter]

Hi Drylander,
The Royal Dublin Fusiliers were indeed stations in the Curragh, my grandad being one of them. I have a book called 'The Pals at Suvla Bay' which details the servive of 'D'' Coy, 7th Bn, RDF. and I give below an extract regarding the Curragh.
" On Wednesday, September 16, 1914, those who had up to that date enlisted from the Corps, 110 in number, left Dublin via Kingsbridge for the Curragh to enter upon their military training. They marched off from the headquarters of the Dublin University O.T.C., where they had been paraded. What class of men were they? Barristers, doctors, solicitors, stockbrokers, bankers, medical students, engineering students, art students, business men who had responsible positions, civil servants, insurance agents and many others of a similar class - the best that Dublin City could give, and nearly all of them men well known in it's public and social life. In their march through College Green, Dame Street, and the quays to the station they received a great ovation from the public and their friends. From almost every window in Nassau Street, College Green, and Dame Street handkerchiefs and hands were waved at them.
They arrived at the Curragh about 5 p.m., in heavy rain, and when paraded in front of the barracks received a short 'welcome' address from Colonel Downing. 'D' Company, the 'Pals' were then put into their quarters in 'C' Block of the Gough Barracks, in which their first meal as Tommies was taken - tea, in pails, with loaves and jam. Although in new surroundings, most of them admitted afterwards that they slept soundly the first night under the military roof.
On parade the next day in the forenoon they were again addressed by Colonel Downing, who pointed out to them briefly the main duties of soldiers so afr as discipline, conduct, and the honour of the regiment were concerned. After this, on the same day, they were inoculated against typhoid, a process that did not entail much inconvenience. During the next few days they were directed to elect from amongst themselves men to be non-commissioned officers, and also to elect two from among their number to be commissioned as their officers. For the latter positions they selected Ernest Julian, a barrister and professor of law in Trinity College, a man of high character, much learning, and strong individuality, and R.G. Douglas, who had been known to most of them in sport." ...
Personally, the idea that they 'elected' their officers and N.C.O.s I find very interesting and note that these were 'volunteers' going to war where so many would never return. I have much more information and will pass it on if anybody is interested.
regards
Louis Parminter

[drylander]

Thanks for that Louis. Would appreciate any info on the 1st or 2nd Bn. My pals dad enlisted in Victoria Bks. cork now Collins Bks. and didn't arrive in France until sometime in 1916. Must look out for that book