[ comment from Michael Purcell 2010. extraordinary , a British Military Funeral during the Anglo / Irish Truce. This may well have been the last time that a Military Funeral was held to acknowledge the role of an ex-British Serviceman in the 26 counties Irish Free State / Republic. ] Nationalist, September 21st 1921. MR. F. GUNNING. We regret recording the death of Mr. F. Gunning, which occurred at his residence, Burrin Street, Carlow, on Sunday. Deceased had reached a very advanced age and had been resident in Carlow for upwards of half a century. The late Mr. Gunning was one of those who had few enemies and many friends, and he was highly respected by the people of Carlow of all shades and classes who appreciated his gentlemanly qualities. Having seen service in various campaigns, including the Crimean War, Mr. Gunning became attached to the 8th Battalion King's Royal Rifles (Carlow Militia) as Sergeant Major, and on returning took up permanent residence in his adopted town. The internment took place in Killeshin Churchyard on Tuesday, and the funeral --a military one -- was very largely attended. The band of the 5th Battalion Norththumberland Fusiliers played the Dead March and the Last Post was sounded. Rev. Canon Ridgeway, M.A., officiated at the graveside.

The Military Funeral of Mr F. Gunning took place during the Truce when both the IRA and the British Forces were operating a "ceasefire". Obviously, many of the "large attendance" would be family and friends but I wonder how many attended simply to take part because it represented a return to a normal way of life. It must have been an odd time to have lived in Ireland, not knowing what the future held. Pat Molloy.

Pat you might have missed some of the 1922 postings because it was far from "normal" times...with no Police force in operation, it was a very difficult period. On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 10:03 AM, Pat Molloy <pwm29@sky.com> wrote: > The Military Funeral of Mr F. Gunning took place during the Truce when both > the IRA and the British Forces were operating a "ceasefire". > > Obviously, many of the "large attendance" would be family and friends but I > wonder how many attended simply to take part because it represented a > return > to a normal way of life. It must have been an odd time to have lived in > Ireland, not knowing what the future held. > > Pat Molloy. > > ======================================= > 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. No additional text is required. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >