Appeal for stories on Nenagh military history
Garrison town soldiers involved in British campaigns around the world
NENAGH was intertwined with Britain’s military history for over two centuries.
As a garrison town, many men from the district were recruited to fight on behalf of the British Empire. Some fought with gallantry and distinction, and many never got the chance to come home.
Sons of Nenagh did not only join the British army however, as men such as Martin Bourke, Matt Meagher and Daniel Hough became famous fighting in the American Civil War, having emigrated in search of a better life. As a garrison town, Nenagh prospered from the numerous British regiments stationed at Summerhill Barracks from the early 19th century until they left Ireland for the last time in 1922.
During the Crimean War Nenagh achieved fame when the North Tipperary Militia mutinied in Summerhill Barracks in July 1856. Several soldiers were killed, including a Crimean War veteran, Private Patrick Curley. Mutineers such as Stephen Burns were initially sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to transportation for life to Australia.
This crisis concerned the British Parliament and highlighted the chaos which would ensue if more Irish soldiers mutinied. The South African Campaigns/Boer Wars saw many Nenagh men fighting at the front, such as Corporal Bertie Hennessy, who was killed in a ‘Forlon Hope’ at the Battle of Graspan, Reitz, in June 1901.
Other Nenagh natives such as Bernard Murray served in four different military campaigns all over the empire. The First World War claimed the lives of over 50 men from Nenagh District, including Bob Brownlow in December 1914 and Thomas Collins in March 1917.
February 8th 2021 marks the centenary of the death of Private Fred C Curtis at Casey’s Cross, Kilkeary, in 1921. A 24-year old soldier in the 43rd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, Curtis was part of a military convoy on a Crossley motor travelling from Limerick to Templemore. At Kilkeary Cemetery, the road was ‘greasy’ and their lorry capsized while trying to avoid a woman on a horse and cart. All the soldiers were thrown onto the hedge, with the exception of Curtis, who was pinned underneath the overturned vehicle. Attempts were made to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr Powell of Nenagh. A married man, Curtis was a native of Oxford. He was buried at Hulcott All Saints Churchyard in Aylesbury, England.
November 2020 marked 100 years since the death of Lieutenant Henry James Hambleton, who was shot dead, also at Casey’s Cross, by the local IRA. A veteran of the First World War, he was intelligence officer for the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment stationed in Summerhill Barracks. His death resulted in reprisals being carried out on shops and creameries in Nenagh and the deaths of brothers John and Thomas O’Brien from Knigh at the hands of Crown Forces.
During the Irish Civil War, Irish Free State troops were stationed in the barracks. To this day, the ruins of Summerhill Barracks remain, nearly 200 years after its construction.
A significant amount of the residents of Nenagh were soldiers and their families; for example in the early 20th century ex-servicemen made up 20% of the population of the town. Many future soldiers were born in Nenagh and local women married soldiers stationed in the barracks. For example, Charles Hickman of the 60th Rifles married Mary Fitzsimmons on May 11th 1835 in Nenagh.
Many soldiers died due to the hard living conditions of barrack life, such as Lieutenant James Scully, who died from scarlet fever in 1855. Many former soldiers settled in Nenagh after their discharge, such as George Sheehan, an army pensioner formerly of the 8th King’s Regiment of Foot. He was shot dead in January 1918 when the IRA tried to steal his son’s service rifle at their residence in Boherbee, Silvermines.
There are many Commonwealth War graves in cemeteries at Kenyon Street, Lisbunny and in surrounding areas, such as Sergeant James Somers (Victoria Cross recipient) in Modreeny, Cloughjordan.
These are just a few examples of the rich military history that Nenagh has to offer. As the Decade of Commemorations continues, the largely forgotten stories of Irishmen who served in the British army, and their British comrades stationed in the town, have a place in our history.
Readers who have family connections, or are aware of any interesting or unique stories on the British army in Nenagh, Summerhill Military Barracks, or ancestors that served in the British army during any military campaigns/wars, please contact Michael Reynolds by email (pastlinksgenealogyservices@gmail.com) or by Phone/WhatsApp: +353 83 016 2768.