Glenmore Local Defence Force
now browsing by tag
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Co., Local Defence Force, 1940-1946 [updated]
It is no exaggeration to state that Danny Dowling, in 70 years of gathering information and records regarding Glenmore and other local areas, filled over 8 large filing cabinets with records he collected or made. Today, straight from one of Danny’s files we are going to provide an excerpt from the speech given by Bill Roche, a native of Haggard, Glenmore, at the reunion of the Glenmore Co. of the Local Defence Force (LDF) held on 11 December 1997 at the Rhu Glenn. The speech provides a lot of information concerning Glenmore during the Emergency (Second World War). A complete list of the local men who joined the LDF is found on the lists page available at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-co-ldf-1940-1946/.
“1939 was a very memorable year for all people living in the western Hemisphere. On 1st September 1939 World War Two broke out in Europe when Germany invaded Poland. On 3rd September 1939 Great Britain, France and other European countries declared war on Germany. Six long dark years of vicious fighting was to follow when a total of over 60 million lost their lives. Russia alone lost 20 million people.
Also on 3rd September 1939 something of greater interest to us Kilkenny people was happening nearer home—in Croke Park to be exact. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final between Cork and Kilkenny was being strenuously fought out under a dark, damp overcast sky. The tense game ended in a flurry of thunderclaps, lightning flashes and torrential rain. When the final whistle was blown the score stood Kilkenny 2-7 (13) Cork 3-3 (12). Those of us who had the privilege of listening to the game on the radio will never forget that day. Radios were very scarce then and whatever families were lucky enough to have one made sure that the dry battery was new and that the wet battery was fully charged. For miles around all the neighbours descended on that house with the crowd overflowing into the yard outside. The cheering when Kilkenny scored was deafening. When Cork scored there was total silence…that was Jack Lynch’s first all-Ireland Final and was rated by him as one of the best all-Ireland finals in which he ever played.
In later years I got to know Jimmy Phelan very well. On that day he wore the No. 15 jersey and scored 2-1 of Kilkenny’s 2-7… I had lunch with him today in Carlow. He is the only one of the original 15 players to be still alive and is looking forward to Kilkenny’s next All Ireland win.
With the outbreak of war the Irish Government of the day adopted a policy of neutrality. This was a very brave decision since a neutral Ireland presented our neighbour, Great Britain, with very acute problems concerning the defence of their own country. Our government had to take steps to preserve this neutrality. Their outspoken policy was that the Irish army would repel first invader and by inference would accept the help of the other side in so doing. To implement this policy the government, backed by all opposition political parties launched a massive soldier recruiting drive. In September 1939 the strength of our regular army was only 6,000. By March 1941 the Army and Reserves totalled 56,000. This was boosted, however, by the strength of the Local Defence Force, including our present company…contributed over 200,000 volunteers between 1940 and 1946. Local Defence Force companies were set up in almost every parish, made up of young men totally raw in military matters but with the guts and determination to do what was needed to fight the first invaders.
It did not take long for the war in Europe to impinge on Ireland. Three Wexford women were killed when a German bomber attacked the Campile Co-Operative creamery on 26th August 1940—only 8 miles as the crow flies from where we are here tonight or about 2 ½ -3 minutes flying time. For the first time the Irish people realised that this was not just a far away war in distant places with strange sounding names, like the First World War. Bombs were dropped on Irish soil and Irish people were killed and we hadn’t declared war on anybody, nor nobody had declared war on us. By the end of the Emergency a total of 16 bombing incidents had been recorded on Irish soil, mainly along the Eastern seaboard.
The new LDF volunteers were trained in discipline and in all aspects of modern warfare of that time by Officers and NCO’s of the Irish regular army. Fifty-seven years have now passed since the Glenmore company was established and memories get a bit hazy. However, from the records that are presently filed in the military archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, I extracted the names and addresses of a total of 68 volunteers as being our Company’s strength 1940-1946. From investigations carried out over the past few months we have established that 43 of our colleagues, …are now deceased. May they rest in peace.
Our Company Commander in Glenmore was James Kelly, Aylwardstown…only recently he had had a new knee joint fitted very successfully and I am told it has a guaranteed life of 50 years of 100,000 miles. Neddy Aylward [of Graiguenakill]was Company Adjunct … both of these men helped me in no small way to make tonight possible. Also people like Joe Walsh, Billy Forristal and Danny Dowling were very helpful in locating our members’ present addresses and making contact. Regrettably our other Officers and NCO’s have passed to their rewards.
Just for a few minutes I will try to revive some memories of that period that are long forgotten in the mists of time.
1. Can I bring you all back in memory to the cold, wet, winter nights or else the dry, frosty, moonlit nights when we drilled in full uniforms and hobnailed boots in J.K. Walsh’s Hall in the Village. The grizzly Army Sergeants from Bawn James roared and bellowed and usually used a language that us innocent country boys have never heard before. It was the first time we became exposed to Trooper’s Language. Prior to this the four letter word was never heard in Glenmore.
p. 106
In the summer months we spent our evening training outdoors, covering all aspects of warfare tactics. We were clad in the early years in a light material khaki uniform, with a cheeky cap set at an angle. Later we were issued with a heavy green woolen uniform of tunic, pants, leggings, boots and beret cap. We were also supplied with a waterproof ground sheet and a massive heavy, warm, woolen great-coat. For up to 25 years after disbanding similar great-coats could be seen on men delivering milk to the creamery, or ploughing, or at the fair in Ballybricken which looked very similar to the LDF great-coats in cut and appearance but peculiarly none of them were of army green colour. These great-coats always did take a good dye. Brown and black were the commonest colours and the most practical for farm wear. We were also armed with rifles and bayonets and shotguns; Remington and Lee Enfield being the commonest rifle types. We always carried 50 rounds of live 303 ammunition. Bayonet practice consisted of charging at full speed at a strawman or sand bags and sticking the bayonet into the hilt in it. Throwing of lighted Molatov Cocktails gave us an exhilarating time. Hand grenade throwing was a skill many Glenmore men excelled at.
2. How many of you can remember the summer camps at Pickardstown, Tramore where for 2 weeks every year we lived under canvas—2 men to every bivouac. The sergeants woke us each morning with the banging of a heavy stick on the taut canvas roof. You could hear the shout—“show a leg, show a leg” half-mile away. Shaving was done from a canvas bucket of cold water, drawn from the stream alongside. Breakfasts on the sunburned grass were synonymous with hard-boiled eggs and boiling hot tea. After a strenuous day of training we walked every evening into Tramore. There were two dancing sessions each evening in the Majestic Ballroom. The first session generally had about 80% of green uniformed virile young men in heavy leather boots trying to negotiate their female partners across the polished dance hall floor, in a very adventurous manoeuvre. Girls were heard to comment afterwards—“I will never dance with him again—he has two left legs.”
4. You will remember the Skow Bridge Platform, financed and managed by the Glenmore LDF. We charged 4 pennies, old money, entry fee. What money was left when we had paid the musicians were towards an annual spree in the Village Hall after Christmas each year. We wined, dined and danced all night and it was generally about noon on the following day when many got home to bed. I later years the West of Ireland was attributed with having launched and expended into every town in the West what became known as ‘The Ballroom of Romance.’ If truth be known the real first ‘Ballroom of Romance’ as J.K. Walsh’s Hall in Glenmore. I should add that the word ventilation and sound decibels were not in the vocabulary. The expression that ‘even the walls ere weeping’ was coined about our Village Hall.
5. You will remember the rifle firing sessions we had down in the Grannagh Quarries on hot Sunday afternoons. Remember the meat teas in Londergan’s café on the Quay in Waterford on our way home and then on to the dancing session at the Skow Bridge.
I pity the young men and women of today that have not experienced the feeling of open air dancing on a warm sunny evening with the sun slowly slipping down behind Tory Hill, when the beautiful melodious strains of piano accordion and violin could be heard on a calm evening up to two miles away. The music was generally rendered by Jim Walsh (Jim B) and Mick Gahan. Those not dancing were involved in animated discussion on the progress of Hitler’s armies across Europe, or why Glenmore failed to win the Kilkenny Senior Football Final that afternoon. We thank God for those very happy memories and pray that God has been merciful to all those friends of our youth…Who knows, Jim B, may still be playing the accordion for those ‘tripping the light fantastic’…and Paddy Tyler may still be acting as MC…
You may remember the competition we entered at the New Ross Feiseanna when all the commands were given in Irish.’
A service certificate was printed and provided to each volunteer present by James Kelly. [A copy not issued was found in Danny’s file.] It was also noted at the reunion that service medals were supposed to have been awarded to all LDF members after discharge. This did not occur and after discussion with the Army application forms were provided for medals at the reunion. The speech concluded with the sponsors of the reunion being thanked.
The feature photo is the front cover of the Local Security Force Gazette, Christmas 1940. The Local Security Force Gazette, Christmas 1940 was also located in Danny’s file.
[UPDATE 3 October 2021, for an early photo of the Glenmore LDF marching under the command of Richard Fluskey see, https://glenmore-history.com/francos-glenmore-recruit-richard-dick-fluskey-1907-1942/. This early photo was shared by Michael Hoynes, of Ballybrahee, Glenmore.]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Photo of Glenmore Co. of LDF 1944 at Tramore shared by Marion Coady Hendrick
Her father, Bill Walsh, of Cappagh, is middle row 2nd from left.
Her cousin, Jim Mernagh is middle row 4th from left.
Jim B. Walsh, of GLenmore VIllage is middle row far right (no relation).
If you can identify any other members of the Company in the photo please email glenmore.history@gmail.com
[UPDATE 4 May 2021] Joe Walsh, of Ballinlammy, Glenmore has been identified by his nephew Leo Walsh as being in the back row on the far left.
Franco’s Glenmore Recruit: Richard “Dick” Fluskey (1907-1942) [UPDATED]
The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1938 is regarded by many as the opening act for the Second World War. From the Irish perspective it is viewed sometimes as a continuation of the Irish Civil War of 1922-1923 with Irish volunteers traveling to Spain and joining both sides of the conflict. According to John Dorney about 700 Irish volunteers fought for the right wing fascist side led by Francisco Franco which today tends to be the cause of much embarrassment in Ireland. He notes that greater attention is paid to the much smaller number of Irish volunteers who fought for the left wing or republicans. However, in the 1930’s the right wing cause was more popular in Ireland as it was perceived as a “crusade” against communism to support the Catholic religion. (John Dorney, “God’s Battle: O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade in the Spanish Civil War: The Irish Unit that Fought for Franco in 1936-37,” available at https://www.theirishstory.com/2018/10/24/gods-battle-oduffys-irish-brigade-in-the-spanish-civil-war/#.X7lfAM37RPY .)
The Spanish civil war began brewing in 1931 when the Spanish monarchy was peacefully overthrown. A Republic was established and intense class conflict and political polarisation between the right and left undermined democratic principles. In 1934 after the election of a right wing government in the northern province of Asturias worker’s revolted. The revolt was suppressed as was Catalonia’s declaration of independence. During the 1936 election in February, several left wing parties worked together and formed the Popular Front and won the election. In July 1936 a section of the Spanish Army mounted an attack on the Popular Front government. Spain descended into a civil war which Dorney described as an “international battleground between ideologies of left and right, depicted on one side as a war for democracy against fascism and on the other for western civilisation against communism.” The right wing or Nationalist side led by Franco was supported by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. The Republic was backed by the Soviet Union and the communist movement. For photos taken during the Spanish Civil War, see, David Sims (2017) “Spanish Civil War: 50 Powerful Photos of the Horrific Conflict,” in International Business Times, available at https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/spanish-civil-war-anniversary-50-powerful-photos-horrific-conflict-1630676 .
In 1936 the Irish clergy and the Irish Christian Front staged rallies across Ireland in support of Franco. Many volunteered to fight in God’s battle against communism in Spain. Eoin O’Duffy led the Irish volunteers for Franco. O’Duffy had been an IRA commander in Monaghan during the Irish War of Independence. He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, served as a Free State army general and Garda Commissioner until 1933 when he was fired by Eamon de Valera. O’Duffy became the leader of the Blueshirt movement a semi-fascist group. Due to his increasingly extreme views O’Duffy became politically isolated and is believed to have recruited men to join in the Spanish Civil War to boost his own political prospects.
The Irish Independent on Saturday the 12th of December 1936 reported that 100 more volunteers left Dublin last night for Liverpool, to travel to Spain, where the volunteers were to join the Irish Brigade under General O’Duffy. This was the biggest contingent that set out to assist the “Patriot Forces.” The newspaper noted that the volunteers came from 18 counties and also included three volunteers from Liverpool and one from London. Included in the list were 3 Kilkenny men… William Greene, Deerpark, Mullinavat; R. Fluskey, Glenmore; and Joseph F. Doyle, Kiltown, Castlecomer. A much shorter article appear in the Kilkenny People on Saturday the 26th of December 1936 (p. 8) and provided that Mr. R. Fluskey, Glenmore “…has gone to Spain to fight with the forces of General Franco, is a native of Mile Bush, Rosbercon.” The newspaper incorrectly recorded that the R initial was for Robert.
Shipping records provide that the steamship Ardeola, of the Yeoward Line, left Liverpool on the 12th of December 1936 for Lisbon, Portugal, under Captain A.E. Jones. Richard “Dick” Fluskey and 20 other volunteers were on board the Ardeola and traveling 1st Class. The ship register provides that Mr. R. Fluskey, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, was 24 years of age and his profession was listed as farmer. In the group of 21 volunteers are two other local men: Mr. W. Greene of Deerpark, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny, was 29 years of age, a farmer; and Mr. J. Ivory, of Ballyglen, Dunmore East, Waterford, was 26 years of age and also a farmer.
Danny Dowling yesterday was able to immediately identify that “Dick” Fluskey went to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil War. He wasn’t in Spain very long and when he returned he did not get a great reception. According to John Dorney all of the Irish Brigade, save one man, were back in Ireland by 21 June 1937. Danny Dowling stated that Dick Fluskey, upon his return, stayed with Jim Fluskey in Glenmore Village. Danny wasn’t sure of the exact relationship between the two men, but did recall that Jim Fluskey wasn’t very happy with Dick. Dick went to Swansea in Wales and died shortly after his arrival in Wales. Danny stated that Dick Fluskey was a young man when he died and was ill when he left Ireland.
A newspaper article appeared in the Kilkenny People In 1939 which recited that Robert Fluskey, of Glenmore, had been denied permission to keep pigs in “the yard” due to sanitary concerns. He believed that with the outbreak of the second World War that a food shortage would occur. Danny Dowling stated yesterday that it was around this time that the Fluskey piggery was built behind Jim B’s cottage in Glenmore Village just above where the current pub is now located.
It is believed that Richard “Dick” Fluskey was a brother of the two girls that James Fluskey and his wife raised when the mother of the girls died. Both girls became nuns. For details concerning the Fluskey family see, our previous blog post on Robert Fluskey (1843-1925) at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-businessman-robert-fluskey-1843-1925-and-the-sisters-of-charity-of-the-incarnate-word/. Armed with a place of death for Richard “Dick” Fluskey, we were able to find a death record for Richard Fluskey. He died on the 28th of September 1942 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. His age is incorrectly recorded as 27 when he was actually 35 years of age. It is not known what Fluskey was doing in Wales.
The following obituary was published in the Munster Express, on Friday the 2nd of October 1942, (p. 3) for Richard “Dick” Fluskey.
LATE MR. R. FLUSKEY—At a joint meeting of the Glenmore L.D.F. and L.S.F., a vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Richard Fluskey, whose death occurred in England on Monday evening. The deceased took a leading part in the organisation of the L.D.F. and L.S.F. in Glenmore, and held the position of Group Leader in the L.D.F. up to the time of his departure to England twelve months ago. He also served with the Irish Brigade in Spain during the Civil War, and held a non-commissioned rank in the National Army before his departure to Spain. His efficiency as an organiser was responsible for the standard of proficiency attained by the L.D.F. in Glenmore at the moment. His passing at such an early age has caused sincere regret in his native county, and especially among his comrades in the L.D.F and L.S.F., he having being a verv honourable and straightforward leader. The dance to be held at Walsh’s Hall on Sunday night next in aid of the Glenmore L.D.F. has been postponed to Sunday night. Nov. 4. as a mark of respect for the death of their former Group Leader, Richard Fluskey.
After the outbreak of the Second World War in May 1940 the Local Security Force (LSF) was established. The following month the LSF was split into two groups. One group was an auxiliary to the Army while the other group was an auxiliary to the Gardai. This second group became the Local Defence Force (LDF) and was organized based on the previous Garda districts and division. For a concise article on Ireland during the Second World War see, Bryce Evans (2015) at http://www.1940.co.uk/acatalog/Ireland-in-WW2.html.
For further information concerning the Spanish Civil War see, Paul Preston (2012) The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition & Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain. A concise book review is available at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/09/spanish-holocaust-paul-preston-review .
Today, we do not know why Richard “Dick” Fluskey joined O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade. Was he a fascist, was he a bored young man looking for excitement, or did he go there to fight the enemies of the Church? Given his activities after returning from the Spanish Civil War it does not seem likely that he was a fascist. On the other hand, he had two sisters and three cousins in a religious order. It appears more likely that he enlisted to fight the enemies of the Church or to protect the priests and nuns of Spain.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
[UPDATE: Another local man identified. Elizabeth “Cissy” Kennedy (aged 90) a native of Rathinure, Glenmore stated on 28 November 2020 that Jimmy Morrissey from Tullogher also went out to the Spanish Civil War, she believed that he fought for Franco. When he returned to Ireland he went out with Celia Heffernan, of Kearneybay, Glenmore for a long time.]
[Update: Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the photo of “the Glenmore LDF under the command of Richard Fluskey.”]