Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association - Association Information

THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS ASSOCIATION Email: rdfa@eircom.net
ORIGINS FOCUS OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION PROGRESS PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2009 NEW PUBLICATIONS LINKS CREDITS	Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association Crest.
ORIGINS Our reason for existence is to promote a wider awareness of the forgotten Irish men and women who served, fought and died in the Great War 1914-1918. Most people do not know about the large numbers from all parts of Ireland who took part in that dreadful conflict nor of the impact of their involvement at personal and national levels. We believe that a better understanding of the shared heritage of sacrifice now will help to reconcile the two major traditions on the whole of this island. Over 200,000 men and women from every region and class in Ireland enlisted during the Great War of whom at least 35,500 were killed. The total for The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Regiment was 4,777. The actual number of Irish deaths remains to be established as many enlisted in other regiments, the naval services, and the armies of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Most of those who died lie in 'foreign fields,' many in an unmarked grave. There was no conscription in Ireland. The fact that large numbers of volunteers from the Nationalist community participated is not widely acknowledged. In Northern Ireland, the Unionist tradition is seen to commemorate the war as a symbol of loyalty to the United Kingdom. The Nationalist tradition came to regard those who fought in the 1916 Rising as the true patriots while those who died fighting in the British Army were seen as misguided, if remembered at all. Yet during the actual war, "the bond of common service and common sacrifice proved so strong and enduring that Catholic and Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist, lived and fought and died side by side like brothers," to quote Major Bryan Cooper of the 10th (Irish) Division. An early sign of a new understanding can be seen in the comments of the Taoiseach Sean Lemass in February, 1966, the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising: "In later years it was common - and I was also guilty in this respect - to question the motives of those men who joined the new British armies formed at the outbreak of the war, but it must in their honour and in fairness to their memory be said that they were motivated by the highest purpose." While the focus is on the Irish men and women who served, we also remember the many English, Scots, Welsh and other nationalities who served in the Irish regiments and who fought and died side by side with their Irish comrades.
FOCUS We concentrate on the personal stories, believing that they are the key to understanding for most people. Each soldier, sailor, nurse, chaplain, anti-war activist or civilian was an individual who shared our humanity, who had parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, lovers, friends and perhaps children, nieces, nephews, neighbours and colleagues. A large proportion of the population has some relation or one-time neighbour who was in the Great War or was affected by it. The volunteers came from every class, religion and region. Their reasons for enlisting were as varied as we are different. We hope that what you see will encourage you to investigate your own background. Perhaps, you will rediscover some long forgotten individual. Why not share your research with us?
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION To commemorate all Irish men and women who volunteered, served and died in the Great War 1914-1918 by organising public exhibitions, lectures, seminars, visits and the publication of a journal. To promote a better understanding of the effect of the Great War on Ireland and thereby assisting in the reconciliation of the different traditions on the island. To collect and publicise information and objects relating to the soldiers of Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the other disbanded Irish Regiments.
PROGRESS Since 1996, we have organised exhibitions in the Dublin Civic Museum, the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, the Louth County Museum, the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, the Public Libraries in Pearse Street, Raheny and Rathmines, The Workhouse Museum in Derry and Ardgillan Castle, Co. Dublin. The first exhibition was opened by the then Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Dick Spring in the presence of the British Ambassador, Veronica Sutherland and a cross section of members of both major traditions. The second exhibition in the Dublin Civic Museum was opened by the President, Mrs. Mary MacAleese in September 1998. In April 2001, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hosted a State Reception in Dublin Castle in honour of the Association and its work. This was attended by over 700 guests including many from Northern Ireland. Among those attending were the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the British, Belgian and Turkish Ambassadors. In November, 2002, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Dermot Lacey hosted a Civic reception in the City Hall in honour of the Association. We organise regular lectures and publish a journal, 'The Blue Cap.' We participate in the 'Journey of Reconciliation Trust', which built the Round Tower and Peace Park in Messines and organise visits to Flanders, France and the Somme Heritage Centre in County Down. In cooperation with the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum in Armagh, we presented an exhibition in Belgium about Irish soldiers in Flanders. It was in the Paschendaele Memorial Museum in Zonnebeke from April to November 2005. In 2006, we opened an exhibition in the Heritage Room in the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. This dealt with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who participated in the Gallipoli campaign Over 3,400 Irish soldiers died in that failed attempt to capture Istanbul and overcome the stalemate on the Western Front. Most lie in unmarked graves. The Gallipoli peninsula is redolent with links to Ireland and Dublin, in particular, It is worth recalling those links in the context of the current debate on Turkey's application to join the EU. The display is designed for those who are not familiar with the topic but will also be of interest to the specialist. Admission is free. It will be replaced by a different theme during 2007. The Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street has opened an archive for the Association to hold material donated via the Assocation. The first item is collection of soldiers' letters sent to Miss Monica Roberts, who organised gifts for prisoners of war. Her daughter, Mrs Mary Shackelton, made the donation, which was accepted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Catherine Byrne. Current membership stands at 350.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2009 April 20^th Monday: The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. Venue: Dublin City Library and Archive, Gilbert Library, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Time of AGM 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. April 25^th Saturday ANZAC Day: Gallipoli Dawn Service of Remembrance will be held at 6:30 a.m, in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Blackhorse Avenue in Cabra, Dublin. An evening Service of Remembrance will take place in St. Ann's Church, Dawson at 7:00 p.m. The commemorations are arranged by the Ireland - New Zealand Association and the Ireland-Australia Association. RDFA members are welcome to attend both services. June 13^th Saturday and 14^th Sunday: Weekend visit to London to attend a wreath laying service at the Cenotaph organised by the Combined Irish Regiments Association, London. Details of Saturday lunch and parade assembly on Sunday morning etc. are as per previous years. Contact the Combined Irish Regiments Association at contact@combined-irish-regiments-oca.org.uk Please make your own travel and accommodation arrangements. June 28^th Sunday: For any members who might be interested, the annual Inishowen, Co. Donegal, remembrance service for the fallen of the Great War will be held this year at 2:00 pm in Fort Dunree. For further details please contact Mr. Fearghal O'Boyle at Email. fearghaloboyle@hotmail.com or Telephone 087-2874455. July 11^th Saturday: The Royal British Legion Wreath-laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial Gardens Islandbridge. Time 2:30 p.m for 3:00 p.m. All members and non-members of RDFA are welcome. July 12^th Sunday: The National Day of Commemoration at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. Time 10:00 a.m. Numbers attending this event are limited. Please check newspapers for official details nearer the date. October 17^th Saturday: Lecture: Title. From Amiens Street to Amiens. The search for Private Byrne. When Des Byrne was asked by his sister to see what he might be able to find out about the grandfather they had never met, he had no idea where to start. He was not even sure of the man's first name. In this talk Des will share his experience of tracing a long dead relative- a Private in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as it turned out. He hopes there may be some lessons for anyone setting out on a similar task. Speaker: Mr. Des Byrne RDFA. Venue: Dublin City Library and Archive, Gilbert Library, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Time 3:00 p.m. November 6^th Friday: Mass at City Quay Church, Dublin. To remember the Fallen. Time 7:30 p.m. November 8^th Sunday: Ecumenical Service of Remembrance at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Time 2:30 p.m. The President, Mrs. Mary Mc Aleese will attend. Members may attend as part of the general public. November 11^th Wednesday: Ecumenical Service of Remembrance at St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street. Time 10:30 a.m. for 11:00 a.m. RDFA members are invited to either light a candle or place the name of their loved ones on a small cross that is then placed at the foot of the altar. November 12^th Thursday: Lecture: "Parallel Lives: The Memory of Gallipoli in Australia, Ireland and Beyond". Speaker: Professor Stuart Ward. Venue: Dublin City Library and Archive, Gilbert Library, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Time 7:00 p.m December 4^th Friday: The RDF Assoc. Annual Dinner. Venue. The Masonic Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Time 8:00 p.m. Members and friends wishing to attend may book their seats by writing to the Secretary of the RDF Assoc. before Monday 30th November 2009. Visit The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association Archive at Dublin City Archive and Library, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Royal Dublin Fusiliers Stained Glass Window. The stained glass window to commemorate the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and those who served and died in the Great War is now in place in the Garrison Church of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin. We thank all members and friends who contributed to this permanent memorial. The window was installed in November 2002, eighty years after the regiment was disbanded. Members who wish to view the window must adhere to the standard rules and regulations for seeking access to Irish military establishments by seeking permission from the Officer in Charge on the day of your visit. The best time to view the window is on Sunday mornings at Mass time which is normally 10:00 a.m. Spectamur Agendo.
NEW PUBLICATIONS A Forlorn Hope : The Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Kaiser's Battle March 1918. By Sean Connolly, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. Marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, this new publication relates the experience of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the German Offensive in March 1918. The Irish participation in this battle is less well known than in the Battles of the Somme, Messines and Passchendaele. The major German attack, launched in the Somme region on 21 March 1918, almost succeeded. It was the last opportunity for Germany to win the war before the arrival of the American forces in France. Known as the Kaiserschlacht - the Kaiser's Battle, its outcome was decisive. This book complements the material drawn from official records and maps with many individual stories rediscovered through the work of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. Over 320 Dublin Fusiliers were killed during the battle. Some of the last of "The Pals from Suvla Bay" died in the battle. 128 pages. Colour. The price is €12 plus postage. Available from the Association via email rdfa@eircom.net The 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions at the Battle of Wijtschate - Messines Ridge, 7th June 1917. By Tom Burke, MBE, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. At 3.10 a.m. on 7 June 1917, soldiers from Ireland re-took the German occupied Flemish village of Wijtschate which was known Whitesheet. This was the last time that Loyalist Ulsterman and Irish Nationalists fought side by side in large numbers against a common enemy. The 16th (Irish) and the 36th (Ulster) Divisions were took their objectives in one of the most successful large-scale operations of the Great War. The book is a tour guide to this important battlefield and to the billet areas where the two Irish Divisions prepared for the attack and then fought together. It describes the battle in detail, based on the actual experiences of individual soldiers. It contains many coloured illustrations and detailed maps and is an invaluable aid for those visiting the area. Each stop along various walking and cycling routes recommended by Tom, has a unique tale to tell. 292 pages. Colour The price is €20 plus postage. It is available at the National Museum bookshop at Collins Barracks Dublin, Schull books in Ballydehob in Co Cork or from the Association via email rdfa@eircom.net The 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Tragedy of Mouse Trap Farm, April-May 1915 By Tom Burke, MBE, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. The 2nd Battalion was rushed forward on 23 April 1915 to stem the German breakthrough after the first gas attack of the War. The Dublins then went into the line at Mousetrap Farm. On 24 May, they were subjected to a major gas attack. Out of a strength of 668, 647 were casualties. This book covers the period from 25 April to 25 May when 127 were killed and 1,094 were missing. The reality behind the figures is conveyed through a number of personal stories. "Tom Burke cannot just be commended by us for his work of remembrance; the very souls and remnants of those men must sing to him in whatever heaven they may have reached" Sebastian Barry, in his note on the cover. 45 pages. The price is €10. Available from the Association via email rdfa@eircom.net. Torpedoed!: The R.M.S. Leinster Disaster By Philip Lecane, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. This tells the long forgotten story of the sinking by German submarine UB-123 of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company mail steamer "Leinster" in the Irish Sea on 10 October 1918. Containing photographs and many eyewitness accounts, the book has a comprehensive passenger and crew list for the "Leinster." The ship carried military personnel from most of the First World War Allied countries, as well as nurses, civilian passengers and postal workers. The drama of the sinking and its aftermath is told from the viewpoints of those on board the Leinster, submarine UB-123 and rescue ships in Dublin Bay. For further information, contact the author at rdfa@eircom.net. The Old Toughs: from Milton to Mons and the Western Front 1911-1918. A Brief History of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion. By the late Patrick Hogarty, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. 256 pages. Sold out. No plans to reprint at present. Remembrance: A brief history of "The Blue Caps", the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion, 1914-1922. By the late Patrick Hogarty, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. 304 pages. Some copies still available directly from the Hogarty family at 92 Maryfield Crescent, Artane, Dublin 5. Price €20 including P+P (Ireland and UK) Telephone (353-1-) 847 6945
LINKS www.irishwarmemorials.ie - This is a comprehensive record of memorials in Ireland www.royaldublinfusiliers.com This website has Royal Dublin Fusilier stories, photographs, postcards, medals, books and a Forum where advice can be sought. www.connaughtrangersassoc.com This is the website of the Connaught Rangers Association www.taoiseach.gov.ie This is the website of the Department of the Taoiseach. The 1916 Button has a section on the Irish in the First World War.
CREDITS- THANKS TO: The Department of An Taoiseach for the grant from the Irish Soldiers and Soldiers Land Trust. Our material is a reminder of the great suffering and loss shared by the two major traditions on the island of Ireland during the Great War. A wider awareness of this common heritage will foster "mutual understanding and reconciliation between Great Britain and Ireland and between Northern Ireland and the Republic." The team from Martello Multimedia who converted the raw materials into this presentation: Stella Downey prepared the storyboard and assembled and edited the content, Claire Regan who brought taste and flair to the design, Cormac Figgis selected the images for, and designed, the supporting material and Natalie Haccius managed the project. Cormac Connolly who arranged, played and produced the music. Dr. Timothy Bowman for his expert historical advice. Trevor Wayman who designed our first professional graphics. Michael Lee who had the foresight to film some of the Irish Veterans. The Information Systems Degree students from Trinity College who developed the prototype. The Imperial War Museum for their permission to display photographs in this website. Tom Burke who researched and wrote most of the material and who is the inspiration for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association project team were Nick Broughall, Tom Burke, Sean Connolly, Seamus Greene, Paddy Hogarty, Philip Lecane, Brian Moroney and Jack Sinclair.