#OnThisDay 1900 The Irish Guards were formed by Queen Victoria in recognition of the many acts of courage & bravery performed by Irish regiments during the Second Boer War. Colour Sgt Conroy was No.1. 200 Irishmen from the Grenadier Guards made up the nucleus.
#OnThisDay 1969 L/Corporal Peter Nee, from Galway was killed in action in Vietnam. Nee was serving with the US Marines & was killed when he activated a mine while on patrol in Quang Nam. He was buried back in Ard Cashel cemetery in Connemara. Nee was 21.
#OnThisDay 1921 Tom Barry & his Flying Column attacked Rosscarbery RIC barracks in Cork. Using a 400lb mine, grenades &fire, the IRA finally succeeded in destroying the station & its garrison surrendered. Two RIC officers died in the fight & nine were injured.
#OnThisDay 1967 US Marine Cpl Patrick Gallagher, from Ballyhaunis, Mayo was KIA in Vietnam, shortly before his tour ended. Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross for jumping on a grenade to save his comrades’ lives. The US Navy named a destroyer in his honour.
#OnThisDay 1921 Monaghan IRA under Dan Hogan(pic) rescued their comrade Michael Fitzpatrick from hospital. They snuck into the hospital in their socks to avoid detection. A brief firefight ensued with the guards but the IRA got their man & eight new rifles too.
The Irish at War 