Jack~ I know that John McBride fought there with a group of Irish but they were not with British Forces. Here is an exert from the ARCHIVES WESTERN PEOPLE Wednesday, May 03, 2002 A special Fenian Flag There were tears in her eyes as opened the aged mahogany chest. There were shakes in her hand as she carefully reached in and moved her most treasured possession. It was a hand embroidered green and gold Fenian Flag. It had all started in the middle of the nineteenth century. Around that time hopes of freedom were high in Ireland. A woman sat in a dimly lighted room in Dublin and carefully and lovingly stitched and embroidered a green and gold Fenian Flag. She was one of the many faithful Irish women who worked behind the scene to help and encourage and to inspire the men fighting for the cause of Irish freedom. After a few years the pace of the campaign calmed down generally, but there were still strong pockets in the West. In 1869 the flag was presented to a lady who lived at The Quay in Westport. She was Bridget Gill and, incidentally, was the aunt of a young boy by the name of John McBride. The Fenian Flag was greatly treasured. Over a generation, only relations and a privileged few were allowed to see it briefly as it lay in the mahogany chest in the 'room'. About that time there was great unrest in South Africa. The Boers were making a spirited stand for freedom against almost insurmountable odds. The news of their escapades be it in fleeting skirmish or pitched battles was eagerly listened to in Ireland. The Irish felt a great affinity with the Boers as Ireland was also fighting for freedom and had been for several hundred years. There was one particular incident in South Africa which is often referred to as the Jameson Raid. This greatly stirred many an Irish heart. It was very shortly after this incident that the flag was tearfully and carefully removed from the mahogany chest. It was handed to a young man. This young man had a steely determination and a fixed purpose. He knew the continuity and steady aim of the British Policy. He went to Transvaal and brought with him the Fenian Flag. It was under that flag that the Irish Brigade fought at Nickolson's Nek and other battles around Ladysmith and down the Tugela River. The flag was fulfilling its original purpose. The man who brought the flag there and led his brigade under it was later known as Major John McBride. When Ladysmith was relived the Boers adopted the tactics of guerrilla warfare. In one of the engagements the Irish Brigade was completely surrounded by British troops. It looked as if death or capture was the only fate of their Brigade. There was also great concern for their beloved flag's fate. A council of war was hurriedly held. It was decided, regardless of what happened, the flag would never suffer the contamination or desecration of falling into enemy hands. It was agreed there and then that the flag would be buried where they stood. The flag was speedily but carefully removed from around the waist of a man that carried it. A grave was dug and as the shadow of the night gathered over the veldt, the flag was gently laid to rest. Following a silent salute the brigade engaged the enemy. Despite the odds, they gallantly fought their way out of the trap. Sadly, they left behind not only their beloved flag but the bodies of many of their comrades who had died in the exchange. Somewhere out there in the African Veldt lies the remains of their Fenian Flag - its duty done and guarded by the fallen comrades - their duty done. Sorry about the long story but it does have strong Mayo and Westport links. Mary Ellen Chambers