----- Original Message ----- From: "michael purcell" <carlowmike@gmail.com> To: <irl-carlow@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 9:32 PM Subject: [IRL-CARLOW] slight correction to Comrades Society. > The Minute Book of the "Comrades of the Great War Society" records > that the first meeting of the society was called by Lieut-Colonel > Browne-Clayton on Monday, 30th December, 1918. > It was held in the Deighton Memorial Hall, Burrin Street. > The meeting was attended by 67 men, many of them ex-soldiers of the > British > Army, wearing the Discharge Silver Badge. > Also among the attendance were a number of men wearing Khaki, home on > leave > or invalided out. There were also a number of civilians present who had > relatives in service. > The meeting was addressed by Sapper B.W. Bagenal, 10th Field Company, > Australian Engineers. > It was decided to establish a "Post" in Carlow town. > Sapper Bagenal stated: "that it was imperative that rooms > or a building should be procured in order to establish a meeting and > recreation place for members. > "Other desirable arrangements in the interests of members would include a > Library and Reading Room > with a plentiful supply of quality newspapers, a Licence to sell Beer > would > be sought and a canteen established where members who > have stood "shoulder to shoulder" in the Great War on the Sea, Land and in > the Air, would be able to spend leisure time among old comrades > and friends" > Mr. W.J. Webster, late C.Q.M.S., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and > Organising Secretary for central Ireland attended. > The following Officers and Committee were elected. > Trustees: Viscount French, Lord Beresford, Colonel John Ward, M.P. Rev. S. > Ridgeway. > President : Lieut-Colonel Robert Browne-Clayton, D.S.O. > Officers : General Lewis, D.S.O. Commander Forbes. > Medical Advisor : Dr. W.H. O' Meara, M.D. Carlow Pensions Committee > Medical > Referee. > Captain : Sergeant-Major Trundle > Chairman: Rev. S. Ridgeway. > Chairman : Mr. B.F. Bagenal. D.L. > Hon. Treasurer : John Norris. > Secretary : John Connolly. > Committee: Ex-Sergeant Bigley, Graigue ; Sergeant Rea, Sergeant Bigley, > Carlow. ; J. Bryan, J. Connolly, M. Geoghegan, C. Burke, J. Morris, P. > Geoghegan, P.Shaw, C. Connell, W. Curran, T. Walker. M. Millar, P.Nolan, > J. > Kelly. > Addressing the meeting Colonel Browne-Clayton said :--- > "members could travel to any town in the Empire and ask for the nearest > "Comrades Club" there they would find a friend who will help them in any > way > he can. Tonight we have a "Post" but when we have 100 members we will be > enlarged to a Branch. Posts are already established in Rathvilly, Tullow > and Bagenalstown. > We are non-political and non-sectarian, we have won the right to have a > voice in the affairs of Ireland and a responsibility which will be wisely > used. We must help the men who are due to be discharged and welcome them > settle into new conditions which may have arisen during their long > absence. > To help them settle down to everyday civilian life and work and to help > them > fight reaction. > We will parade on Victory Day on a date yet to be decided, men will want > to > look sharp and presentable on the day". > Standing on the table, General Lewis then addressed the meeting :-- As an > old soldier, who followed the drum for forty years, I tell you the success > of the movement will depend upon us all sticking together, we should be > comrades, in sickness and in health, in bad times and good times, as we > were in the trenches of which I have had experience, remember the trenches > and we shall achieve victory for our cause and glory for our comrades, > remember the trenches, men.". > Mr Geoghegan told the meeting that there were plans to hold a Social and > Dance in the Deighton Hall in February, he said he would welcome any > support > from the members. > Mr. Curran said that he knew of a building in Burrin Street that could be > restored and made of use for meetings. Rev. Ridgeway replied that Mr > Slocock > had contacted him earlier that day in relation to the vacant building > referred to by Mr. Curran, and he would be asking the committee to look at > it next week. > Colonel Browne-Clayton offered to pay the rent for the first twelve months > if the building was suitable. > The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem and three > rousing cheers for the King. > ======================================= > Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must > subscribe to the List. Its FREE! > --------------------------------------- > To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to > IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" (without the > quotes) in the Subject box. 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