#OnThisDay 1922 The IRA attacked Free State Army soldiers on parade in Wellington Barracks in Portobello, Dublin. Five people were killed, 1 FS, 2 IRA & 2 civilians. IRA Volunteer Jim Spain was wounded in the attack, escaped, found & shot dead.
#OnThisDay 1900 Sergeant Edward Holland VC, born in Ottawa to parents from Kildare, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Boer War.
“At the Battle of Leliefontein. The day before, a column of British troops had pushed Boer forces south, across the Komati River. But the British commander, Maj.-Gen. Horace Smith-Dorrien, knew the Boers would reinforce their numbers overnight, and so he planned to retreat 30 kilometres north to the British camp in Dublin, South Africa, first thing in the morning. A small contingent of Canadian soldiers from The Royal Canadian Dragoons, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and “D” Battery Canadian Field Artillery would act as a rearguard, protecting the British soldiers as they pulled back. Holland was a Dragoon.
The battle lasted hours, as Holland’s gunfire fended off the Boers to allow the Brits to retreat. His bravery also prevented the capture of two 12-pound artillery guns.
But when his gun jammed, he had to act fast. With the Boers only a few dozen metres away, Holland lifted the 16-kilogram machine gun from its carriage — it was so hot that he burned his hands — and managed to awkwardly mount a nearby horse and race off with the gun tucked under one arm.
“The Boers followed me for 700 yards, shooting at me,” he recalled, a couple of months after the battle.”
#OnThisDay 1863 The heavily Irish 6th Louisiana Infantry was engaged in the fighting at the Battle of Rappahannock Station. The Union Army overran the Confederate lines & of the 1200 men of Hays’ Louisiana Brigade, 699 were captured, 89 from the 6th Louisiana.
PS: Yes, I know this is not a real recruiting poster, I just thought it was eye catching.
#OnThisDay 1917 Pte George Hanna, from Belfast was executed for desertion. He had two previous convictions in 1915 & 16. His defence was that he had lost three brothers & had not got back home since December 1914. His sister was sick & he hoped to see her.
#OnThisDay 1885 Michael O’Meara VC was born in Lorrha, Tipperary. He emigrated to Australia in 1912 & joined the Army. In France, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of many wounded men. He spent the rest of his life in psychiatric care.
The Irish at War 