#OnThisDay 1831 Maj Gen Robert H.G. Minty was born in Westport. He served in the 4th Michigan Cav Reg, the “Sabre Brigade” as Minty was known for leading sabre raids into the enemy ranks. Minty’s unit, 4th Michigan captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis
#OnThisDay 2009 Oscar nominee Richard Todd, from Dublin passed away. Todd had fought in WW2, landing in France on D-Day & helping to hold Pegasus Bridge. Todd was Fleming’s first choice to play James Bond but his busy schedule saw it go to Sean Connery.
#OnThisDay 1920 Three IRA Vols were killed in an ambush by the British Army near Bandon, Cork. They had been told by two IRA prisoners/British Army deserters to meet another deserter who was to provide good information. The two prisoners were later executed.
#OnThisDay 1917 Major Edmund Fitzgerald Smyth MC from Banbridge, Down, was killed in action at Cambrai. Smyth’s cousins were killed by the IRA, one in the Cork Club after calling on the RIC to shoot on sight & the other in a raid to catch Dan Breen.
#OnThisDay 1920 Constance Markievicz was courtmartialed in Royal Barracks, charged with conspiring to ‘organize and promote’ Fianna Eireann for the purposes of ‘committing murders of military & police’. She refused to acknowledge the court. She was found guilty
The Irish at War 