The Military Service (1916-23) Pensions Collection today released files relating to claims lodged by 1,442 individuals (or their dependants). The May 2018 release includes 600 female participants and 82 individuals who died in the period 1919-1921. As a Project Archivist employed on the collection, I was responsible for the processing of about 470 of these individuals.
A full list of the names and addresses and of those released today can be viewed here.
Using the name or reference number, users can then download the original files and read the individual’s service histories here.
For those interested in labour and socialist history, this release contains newly digitised and released files relating to seven members of the Irish Citizen Army. All seven applications were unsuccessful.
1. Annie Collins (?-?) 35 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF1139.
” Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army from 1913 until 1923. On Easter Sunday 1916, Annie Collins states that she was based in Liberty Hall preparing food and bandages.
On Easter Monday, the applicant claims that she carried several dispatches from St. Stephen’s Green to the General Post Office (GPO). Annie Collins states that she returned home but went to the College of Surgeons on Thursday where she was told by Countess Markievicz to return home once again on account of her young age. Applicant states that she did not sign the 1916 Easter Rising Roll of Honor as she believed an individual had to be active for the full duration of the week.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity before and during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including; first aid work, drill instructions; attending the funeral of [Joseph] Norton (MD33223) in Swords (1917); a reception for Countess Markievicz at Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) (1918); the 1918 General Election and attending the funeral of Tadhg Barry (1D373) [1921].
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), the applicant states that when the Four Courts was attacked, she was mobilised for Barry’s Hotel where she spent one night. Annie Collins claims that she was then sent to the Hammam Hotel which acted as Brigade HQ. On several occasions, the applicant states that she transported arms and ammunition from the Stanley Street workshop to the Hammam Hotel. Further states that she carried arms in advance of a raid of Griffith’s boot store on the corner of Upper Abbey Street and Capel Street. Also claims that she brought a dispatch to Harry Boland (MD909) in Blessington [village] from Cathal Brugha and returned to the Hammam Hotel with a Lewis gun, some rifles and ammunition.”
Hand-written testimony from Annie Collins about her Civil War service. Ref: MSP34REF1024
2. Edward Conroy (1901-1982) 4 Robert Street, Dublin. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF1126.
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army from June 1917 until August 1923.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity before and during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including; a reception for Countess [Markievicz] at Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire); attending the funeral of Mrs. McDonagh (1917); attending the funeral of [Joseph] Norton (MD33223) in Swords [1917]; the defence of Liberty Hall [Armistice Night 1918]; attending the funeral of [Richard] Coleman (1D15) [1918]; the 1918 General Election; Belfast Boycott work; a fight on Dawson Street [1919]; demonstration in connection with the hunger-strikes (1920) and attending the funeral of Tadg Barry (1D373) [1921].
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), the applicant states that he took part in engagements with the National Army in the area around the Hammam Hotel, O’Connell Street and Marrowbone Lane. Edward Conroy claims that he was arrested by the Free State (National Army) on 28 October 1922 and interned in Wellington Barracks, Dublin and Hare Park, the Curragh, County Kildare until 21 August 1923.”
3. John Craven (?-?) 193 Donnellan Avenue, Mount Brown, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF863.
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army from 1913 until 1923.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: drilling and “military operations against the enemy”.
Applicant states that he was arrested on 5 August 1922 by the Free State and imprisoned in Maryborough Gaol (Portlaoise Prison), County Louth and Tintown No 3 Camp, Curragh, County Kildare until release on 23 November 1923.”
4. Stephen Hastings (? – 1935). 11 George’s Quay, Dublin. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF1024.
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army from 1917 until 1923.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity before and during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: removing transport arms and ammunition from an American boat; a reception for Countess [Markievicz]; the defence of Liberty Hall (Armistice Night 1918); the 1918 General Election; attending the funeral of [Joseph] Norton (MD33223) in Swords (1917) and demonstrations in connection with [Mountjoy Jail] hunger-strikes [1920].
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), Stephen Hastings states that he took part in the defence of Moran’s Hotel, Dublin and the destruction of a bridge in Blanchardstown, Dublin (5 August 1922). Applicant claims that he was arrested by National Forces on 6 August 1922 and imprisoned in Maryborough Gaol (Portlaoise Prison), County Louth and Tintown No 2 Camp, Curragh, County Kildare until October 1923.”
Hand-written account from Stephen Hastings of the 1918 period. Ref: MSP34REF1024
5. Michael Meleady (?-?) 56 Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF1167.
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army from 1917 until 1924.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity before and during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including; a reception for Countess [Markievicz] at Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire); attending the funeral of Thomas Ashe (1D313) [1917]; the funeral of Mrs. McDonagh (1917); the defence of Liberty Hall [Armistice Night 1918]; the 1918 General Election; a reception for [Éamon] De Valera at Merrion; Belfast Boycott work; attending the funeral of Tadg Barry (1D373) [1921] and a planned ambush on Sydney Parade which was called off (no date).
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), Michael Meleady states that he took part in fighting against the National Army in the area around the Hammam Hotel and O’Connell Street. Claims that he took part in an operation to blow-up a bridge in Ashtown. Applicant states that he was arrested by National Forces on 9 August 1922 and was interned in Wellington Barracks, Dublin and Gormanstown camp until release in [November] 1923. “
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) from 1917 until 1923.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in general ICA activity in Dublin during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: attending mass in Tallaght, Dublin that was attacked by the police (no date); a reception for the Countess at Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) (no date) and attended the funeral of Norton (MD33223) in Swords, Dublin (July 1919).
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), William Nelson states that he was arrested by the Free State on 1 September 1922 and took part in a 15-day hunger-strike.”
7. Jeremiah O’Shea (1892-1966). 28 The Coombe, The Liberties, Dublin. Unsuccessful application. Ref: MSP34REF1263.
“Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) from 1917 until 1924.
Attached to the Dublin Brigade, ICA, it is stated that the applicant took part in ICA general activity before and during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: removing transport arms and ammunition from an American boat; a reception for Countess [Markievicz] at Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire); attending the funeral of Thomas Ashe (1D313) [1917]; the defence of Liberty Hall (Armistice Night 1918); the 1918 General Election; a reception for [Éamon] de Valera at Merrion Gates; a fight on Dawson Street (1 May 1919); Belfast Boycott work; attending the funeral of Tadg Barry (1D373) [1921] and a planned ambush of ‘Black and Tans’ (RIC) headquarters on Sydney Parade which was called off (no date).
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), Jeremiah O’Shea states that he took part in fighting against the National Army at the ‘High School’ and Vaughan’s Hotel in the Parnell Square and Dorset Street areas. Applicant claims that he was arrested by National Forces on 3 February 1923 and imprisoned in Mountjoy Jail, Dublin and Tintown No 3 Camp, Curragh, County Kildare until 9 November 1923.”
Letter to Oscar from Jim O’Shea, brother of applicant dated 9 August 1940. Page 1/2. Ref: MSP34REF1263.