#OnThisDay 1920 Alexander Will from Forfar, Scotland (not in pic) became the first Black and Tan to be killed in the Irish War of Independence. Will died from wounds suffered from a bomb blast during an unsuccessful attack on Rathmore Barracks by Kerry IRA.
#OnThisDay 1953 Patrick Lavin from Arigna, Leitrim a Chief Medical Aidman with the US 7th Inf Div was killed in action while trying to rescue a wounded comrade & exposed to heavy enemy fire on “Pork Chop” Hill in North Korea. He was drafted at 18 & died at 21.
#OnThisDay 1927 Minister Kevin O’Higgins was assassinated by three members of the IRA. O’Higgins, who established the An Garda Síochána, confirmed the execution warrants of 77 IRA men during the Civil War, including Rory O’Connor, the best man at his wedding.
#OnThisDay 1921 Four British soldiers were executed at Ellis Quarry, Cork. This was in retaliation for the murder of 20 year old Vol. Denis Spriggs by British Lieutenant d’Ydewalle, who had killed prisoners before. The Truce came into effect the next day.
#OnThisDay 1920 Jeremiah Mee (pic) and four other RIC Constables resigned from the force following Col. Smyth’s infamous speech about shooting suspects on sight. Mee helped other RIC constables resign & organised IRA friendly constables to share valuable intel.
The Irish at War 