Irish Tommies in British Army finally get the local nod
“For the Queen and old Ireland”, circa 1900 by Frank T Copnall, depicts the Irish soldier. NAM. 1973-12-55-1
A new museum is to be established to tell the story of Irish soldiers in the British Army down the centuries. The £13.6 million project will be developed across two sites in Northern Ireland, in Belfast and Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Keep in mind that over 300,000 Irishmen fought with the British Army in the Great War alone, with some 35,000 never coming home.
The planned Belfast Gallery is a new development and is set to open in 2027. The museum will tell the stories of men like Private James Duffy from Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal who won a Victoria Cross as a stretcher bearer during the First World War.
During the 19th Century around 40 percent of the British Army was made up of soldiers from across the island of Ireland.
The traditional Irish folk song, As I Roved Out, recalls this tradition of service to the Crown.
As it is, the “Micks” of the Irish Guards are set to celebrate their 125th anniversary in just a few days.
Quis Separabit!
Irish who crossed the border to fight for Britain in WW2 were considered all but traitors by the Irish government and people. Even today, Irish citizen to go over to serve in the Irish Guards usually won’t say much about the service when they get home. It wasn’t until Lance Corporal Ian Malone’s funeral that were was a full recognition of his service. Including covering the coffin in the Union flag and British troops in full dress uniforms for the first time in Dublin since 1922. The Irish Army contributed a guard of honor as well.