#OnThisDay 1798 James Napper Tandy landed a small force of Irish & French soldiers on Rutland Island, Donegal, hoping to restart the rebellion. But, upon hearing that Humbert had surrendered over a week previous, Tandy knew there was no chance of success & left.
#OnThisDay 1961 Corporal Michael Nolan (left) & Trooper Pat Mullins (right) were killed by mercenaries in an ambush on their armoured car in Katanga, Congo while serving as UN Peacekeepers. The body of Trooper Mullins, from Limerick, was never recovered.
#OnThisDay 1916 Tanks were used for the first time at Flers-Coucelette during the Battle of the Somme. The tank was designed by Dublin engineer Walter Gordon Wilson & William Tritton. The Mark I (Mother) rhomboid shape was for driving over trenches.
#OnThisDay 1915 Lance Corporal Peter Sands from Belfast was executed for desertion. Sands, a 9 year veteran had a 4 day home pass but stayed in Belfast for 5 months. He was ‘a very good character, both in ordinary behaviour & as a fighting man.’ He was 26.
#OnThisDay 1955 Dr Kathleen Lynn, Chief Medical Officer of the Irish Citizen Army, gun runner &politician passed away. Dr Lynn also founded St. Ultan’s hospital in Dublin &helped pioneer the fight against tuberculosis. She was buried with full military honours.
The Irish at War 