Galway In Days Gone By

Connaught Rangers in action

Private J. Sweeney, 2nd. Battalion, Connaught Rangers, who has just returned to his home at Keelogues, near Creggs, Co. Galway, wounded from the front, gives an interesting account of his experiences.

Pte Sweeney is a special reserve man, and has had the unique experience of serving under three crowned heads – Queen Victoria, King Edward, King George. In his early life he took part in several engagements in India, including the famous Tibet Expedition under Col. Sir Blindon Blood.

When the present war broke out, he at once joined his old regiment, and went out with the first expeditionary force under General Sir John French.

After landing in France, he says, we immediately proceeded northwards, ultimately reaching the Allies' lines as they were retiring from Mons. My regiment took part in numerous other engagements during that retreat, and although a good many were killed and wounded, still we accounted for a good many Germans.

We made an exceptional stand against overwhelming numbers on the banks of the Aisne. For nine weeks, we were entrenched along the river side and notwithstanding the fierce attacks both day and night by the Germans, we held our own.

The heavy artillery fire of the Germans was very effective, and the accuracy with which they found range was most remarkable. With the rifle they are practically useless, and the British troops score wonderfully in bayonet charges.

The Germans have a holy horror of the bayonet, and fly in the most cowardly manner when charged. I took part in the battle of Sedan. For several days there was continuous, fierce fighting. The Germans were constantly dropping their shells in our midst, our position being accurately gauged by their aeroplanes.

These aeroplanes are damnable things, and it is extremely hard to evade them. Many of them were brought down, but it was no easy task to do so. It was subsequent to the battle of the river Marne, while on the march, that I got wounded by a shell bursting close to our ranks, a portion of which cut me deeply on the thigh.

In hospital, both doctors and nurses were very kind. I was on active service for about 26 weeks, and can bear personal witness to the fact that the Scots' Greys, the Coldstreams, the Connaught Rangers and the Irish Guards acquitted themselves with great bravery on the battlefield.

1939

Cruelty is rare

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Galway branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, his lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Galway said the work of the Society was a work that should appeal to all religious, charitable and humane people.

Anyone who had any experience of life knew that children suffered intensely in body and in mind from cruelty or neglect. The children were God’s most dear and innocent creatures and anyone who tried to protect them was doing Christ-like work.

“Fortunately,” said his lordship, “in this country, deliberate cruelty is rare. But neglect arising from drunkenness or from laziness or from misfortune through death of a parent or loss of property is frequent.

“When they find cases, it is not true that the inspectors bring them all into court, as we can see. Out of 134 cases dealt with affecting 445 children, only three cases were prosecuted.

“The object of the Society is to try to meet each case in the most humane and tactful way possible. It is not true that it is the policy of the Society to run all children into an institution.”

Dancing by candlelight

A large portion of Galway was plunged into darkness at about 9.40 on Sunday night when the electric current failed and the performances in the Town Hall and Savoy Cinemas were brought to an abrupt ending.

A dance which had been in progress in the Galway Rowing Club at Woodquay was also held up for some time, but dancing continued in candlelight.

Officials of the E.S.B. found that the trouble had been caused by a piece of copper wire being thrown over the mains and Woodquay and full lighting was restored inside an hour. Gardaí are investigating the matter.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.