Old IRA / Military Pension Records

2014-01-17 Military Service Pension RecordsPhase 1 of the long awaited Old IRA/Military Pension record set is now available for free online searching at MilitaryArchives.ie (Jan 16th 2014). Phase 1 includes details of 3,200 individual pension applicants, including 2,400 recipients of pensions in respect of the 1916 Easter Rising.

We have found three files of local interest: One Rathcoole man involved in the Mutiny of India 1920, and two men who were sent to the Millstreet 4th Batallion and were active in Rathcoole / Drishane / Clonbanin ambushes. These are outlined below.

It is disappointing that so few local records were released, so if you were looking for a relatives application (like me) you’ll have to wait a little longer. The rest of the collection, which, in total, holds some 300,000 files relating to 60,000 pension applicants, will be released in ‘regular phases’ leading up to 2016.

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Michael Murphy, Rathcoole, Banteer, Co.Cork
File Reference: Con.Ran.34
Date of Birth: 1889
The file relates to the claim of Michael Murphy, ex-Connaught Ranger, who participated in the Mutiny in India in 1920 in which applicant is to provide their particulars of British Army service and findings of court martial. Applicant enlisted in May 1916 and claims he was part of the mutiny in India in 1920, however, he was not court-martialled, therefore was not eligible under the terms of the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Act, 1936. (He was better known as “Mick Punk”, who lived out his days in Mill Lane, Millstreet, and was a local chimney sweep. See our article on him).
Scanned Documents:WCONRAN34MICHAELMURPHY.pdf

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Seán Joseph Reid, East Lombard Street, Dublin / Boyle, Roscommon
File Reference: MSP34REF21477
He went to Cork in January 1919 and joined the Millstreet Company and took part in police work. Mentions that he was involved in an attack on a train at Glebe, Drishane (February 1920) where a member of the British forces was killed. Also mentions that he took part in an attack on the Millstreet Barracks. States that at the end of 1920 he joined Meaney’s Active Service Unit (Flying Column) and that he was involved in attacks at Millstreet, Clonbanim ambush and Rathcoole ambush. Claims that during the Truce Period (12 July 1921 – 30 June 1922) he was appointed Lieutenant and that he attended training camps in Rathcoole, Kilcorley and Ballyvonaire. Further claims that he was garrisoned in Millstreet and Buttevant.

Scanned Documents: WMSP34REF21477SEANJREID.pdf, W34E3847SEANJREID.pdf

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Thomas McNamara, Scart, Ballyclough, Mallow
File Reference: MSP34REF8546
States that he was among a party that ambushed British forces at Rathcoole.

Scanned Documents: WMSP34REF8546THOMASMCNAMARA.pdf, W34E511THOMASMCNAMARA.pdf


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The Second Release of the Online Military Archives (2nd Oct 2014) saw 6 more people with relevance to Millstreet added.

(These were added here on Jan 20th 2015)

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Henry Pomeroy, Killarney Road, Millstreet
Organisation: Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces Rank Private
Commanding Officer(s): Denis Kiely
National Army Service: Number 29884
File dates:2 March 1923 – 26 October 1933
Subject Information: File relates to Honora Pomeroy’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her son Henry Pomeroy who wounded on 4 January 1923 (the IRA attack on the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet – leg riddled with machine gun bullets) and died on 19 January 1923 at the Mercy Hospital, Cork. Reference made to payment of Dependant’s Allowance from Army Funds. Reference also made to Pomeroy having served in the British Army. File contains: report from an Gárda Síochána detailing Honora Pomeroy’s circumstances – See more:
Henry Pomeroy (b.1879) was the son of Henry Pomeroy and Nora Cotter, Garraneduff.

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Jeremiah Mahony (or Mahoney), Killarney Road, Mill Street / 32 Pentwyn Avenue, Penrhiwceiber, Wales / 39 Walsh Street, Mathewstown, Penrhiwceiber, Wales / 121 Pentwyn Avenue, Penrhiwceiber, Wales
File Reference 3D245
Organisation: Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces
Rank: Sergeant Major
Division: 1 Southern Division
National Army Service Number: 28943 or 52885
File relates to Margaret Mahony’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her husband Jeremiah Mahony who was killed on 5 January 1923 at Millstreet, County Cork. Reference made to payment of Dependant’s Allowance from Army Funds. Mahony was a former member of the British army which he left in December 1910 before rejoining the British Army in October 1914 and remained until September 1919. File contains: report from the Glamorgan County Police detailing Margaret Mahony’s circumstances.
Scanned documents: W3D245JEREMIAHMAHONY.pdf, WD36JEREMIAHMAHONY.pdf

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Name Thomas Mahony (O’Mahony), 1902 to 1922-10-22
File Reference 2D377
Associated files in MSPA F373; 3MSRB194
Related files 4528 subjects National Army service number.
Civilian occupation Farm labourer; Easter rising service No
Organisation: Irish Republican Army
Rank: Private
Unit: 4 Battalion
Brigade: 1 Cork Brigade
National Army Service Number 4528
Scanned Documents: W2D377ThomasMahony.pdf , W3MSRB194ThomasMahony.pdf , WF373ThomasMahony.pdf
File relates to Mary Mahony’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her son Thomas Mahony who was killed on 22 October 1922. He had been travelling in a Military Lorry and received gunshot wounds when it was ambushed in the district of Millstreet, County Cork, and he died in Blarney while being transferred to the Mercy Hospital). Reference made to payment of Dependant’s Allowance from Army Funds. Also includes unsuccessful application from Elizabeth Mahony, sister for an award. File contains: report from an Gárda Síochána detailing Mary Mahony’s circumstances; Military Service Registration Board references from John Lawton, Denis Murphy and Michael J Hennessy; social welfare report; certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Mahony.

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File Reference MSP34REF31885
Name Nellie McCarthy (Maiden/Other names Roche) Lombardstown, Mallow
Date of birth 1899
Date of death 1951-03-28
Associated files in MSPA 34E5187
Easter rising service No
Organisation Cumann na mBan
Rank Captain
Company Lombardstown Branch
Brigade 2 Cork Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Applicant herself
Pension Claim Yes
Award Pension Yes
Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 Yes
Grade E Notes Awarded 1 and 23/36 years service of pension purposes in May 1941
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyWMSP34REF31885NELLIEMCCARTHY.pdf
Scanned/digital copyW34E5187NELLIEMCCARTHY.pdf File dates 30 December 1935 – 13 October 1964
Subject Information File relates to Nellie McCarthy’s successful application for a military service pension in respect of her service with Cumann na mBan for parts and full periods between 1 April 1920 to 31 March 1923 (applicant claims full service from 1 April 1918 to 30 September 1923). Awarded 1 and 23/36 years service of pension purposes in May 1941. Applicant states that she joined Cumann na mBan in 1918 and that she was appointed Captain of the branch. She also states there were 13 members in the branch. She was involved in routine activities (collections, dances, sending parcels to prisoners…). She claims that in 1920, meetings of the 2nd Cork Brigade headquarters were held in the house. From September to 1920 to March 1921, column men frequented the house, especially prior to ambushes (Millstreet ambush,  where they stayed a few evenings and left for the ambush directly). She provided food and clothing, and states she carried dispatches. File contains: material relating to the pension application and its payment to the applicant; application for pension (completed and dated 30 December 1935); reference letters from E.Murphy, P.Singleton ; typed summary of evidence and typed sworn statement made before Advisory Committee by applicant on 8 December 1939; life certificate dated June 1941. – See more at: http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/detail.aspx?parentpriref=#sthash.cjjAHIN2.dpuf

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File Reference 2D321
Name Henry Stringer, Street 15 Jones’ Lane, Mallow / Street 37 Lisheen Row, Mallow
Date of death 1922-11-23
Associated files in MSPA 577/88A
Organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces
Rank Private
Pension Claim No
Award Pension Yes
Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 Yes
Type of Award DADependant’s allowance
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyW2D321HenryStringer.pdf
Scanned/digital copyW577_88AHenryStringer.pdf File dates 1 May 1923 – 8 March 1943
Subject Information File relates to Ellen Stringer’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her son Henry Stringer who was killed on 23 November 1923 between Millstreet and Kanturk, County Cork (he died instantenously when they were ambushed while travelling on column duty in lorries (returning from an operation) ).Reference to Dependants’ Allowance having been paid from Army Funds. File contains: report from an Gárda Síothchána detailing Ellen Stringer’s circumstances; material concerning payment of balance of pension to daughter; certified copy of death certificate for Ellen Stringer. – See more at: http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/detail.aspx?parentpriref=#sthash.QknPgpJr.dpuf

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File Reference 3D74
Name James Nolan Gender male Address detail Street 52 Dublin Road, Tullow
County Carlow
Date of birth 1900
Date of death 1923-02-05 (Mercy Hospital, Cork)
Civilian;
occupation Farm labourer;
Easter rising service: No
Organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces
Rank Private
National Army Service Number 18921 or 24015
Pension Claim No
Award Pension Yes
Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 Yes
Type of Award DADependant’s allowance
Notes Elizabeth Nolan awarded a dependant’s allowance of 15 shillings per week.
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyW3D74JAMESNOLAN.pdf
Scanned/digital copyWD82JAMESNOLAN .pdf File dates 15 February 1923 – 18 October 1956
Subject Information File relates to Elizabeth Tobin’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her son James Nolan who was wounded on 5th January 1923 at Millstreet, Cork and died on 5 February 1923 (attack on the Carnegie Hall – several bullet wounds on the right side). Reference made to payment of Dependant’s Allowance from Army Funds. Mother claims that he enlisted in the National Forces on 16 August 1922 at Carlow. File contains: report from an Gárda Síochána detailing Elizabeth Tobin’s circumstances – See more at: http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/detail.aspx?parentpriref=#sthash.P79pOapi.dpuf

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Added in March 2016:

File Reference MSP34REF478
Name George Power Gender male Address detail Street 38 Cranleigh Gardens, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex,
Country England
Notes Date of birth not recorded on file
Date of death 1966-12-30
Associated files in MSPA 34B5
Easter rising service No Organisation Irish Republican Army Rank Battalion Adjutant
Unit Fermoy Battalion
Commanding Officer(s) Liam Lynch
Organisation Irish Republican Army Rank Vice Commandant
Brigade 2 Cork Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Liam Lynch
Organisation Irish Republican Army Rank Brigade Commandant
Brigade 2 Cork Brigade
Pension Claim Yes Award Pension Yes Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 No Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 Yes Grade B Notes Awarded 7 and ½ years service for pension purposes in 1935.
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No Digital file Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF478 GEORGE POWER.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34B5 George Power.pdf File dates 18 November 1934 – 23 May 2012.
claims to have been involved in an engagement with the RIC at Millstreet; claims to have been involved in an engagement with a military convoy near Millstreet.

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File Reference 1D170
Name Patrick McCarthy Gender male Address detail Street Rowls, Meelin, Newmarket
County Cork
Country Ireland
Date of birth 1895
Date of death 1920-11-22 (Mill Lane, Millstreet)
Associated files in MSPA F453
Civilian occupation Cow Testing Supervisor; Easter rising service No Organisation Irish Republican Army Rank Quartermaster
Unit Active Service Unit (Flying Column)
Commanding Officer(s) Liam Lynch
Pension Claim No Award Pension Yes Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 Yes Type of Award OTHOther
Notes Daniel McCarthy awarded a gratuity of £25 upon appeal
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 No Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No Digital file Scanned/digital copy1D170 Patrick McCarthy.pdf
Scanned/digital copyF453 Patrick McCarthy.pdf File dates 28 March 1922 – 26 August 1956
Subject Information File relates to Daniel McCarthy’s application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of his brother Patrick McCarthy who was shot and killed by British forces on 22 November 1920 at Millstreet, County Cork. Also includes unsuccessful application from Katie McCarthy, sister-in-law of deceased, for an award. File contains: report from an Gárda Síochána detailing Daniel McCarthy’s circumstances and dependency on deceased at the time of his death; certified copy of death certificate;

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TODO:

John Taaffe, Currarague MSP34REF7918

Cornelius Barrett, Horsemount, Kilcorney, Glenleigh, Rathcoole. MSP34REF1806

2D321 – Henry Stringer – killed in action between millstreet and kanturk 23 nov 1922

(no death cert available … hmmmm)

 

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Notes on Searching:

 

There’s no direct link to the files. you have to use the search page (link below, and use the person’s  name), and go from there.

the actual search page is at (but this could change in the future):

http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx

Search by name or by location works best. searching by file reference bizarrely doesn’t work at all !

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If you come across any other files of local interest, please let us know by email <email> or just leave a comment below

3 thoughts on “Old IRA / Military Pension Records”

  1. During the Aerideacht taking place in Cullen on My 26th 1918 British Army planes swooped over the area and dropped fire rockets in an attempt to disprese the crowd.This event was held in a field at the back of the house on the left as you exit from Cullen GAA.Jeremy O Riordan lived in this house diring the 1950s.Roger Kiely told us about the incident in Cullen NS.Matt Murphy told me about as he walked tghrough the village abd recalled the incident exactly 50 years later.

  2. Newly added above:
    Henry Pomeroy – Killed in the IRA attack on the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet (4 January 1923)
    Jeremiah Mahony – Killed in the IRA attack on the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet (4 January 1923)
    Thomas Mahony – killed on 22 October 1922. He had been travelling in a Military Lorry near Millstreet
    Nellie McCarthy – Cumann na mBan – column men stayed at her house prior to the Millstreet ambush in 1921
    Henry Stringer – killed on 23 November 1923 between Millstreet and Kanturk when their column was ambushed
    James Nolan – Killed in the IRA attack on the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet (4 January 1923)

    Click here to go to the new entries

  3. My Father,Edward Hugh Moran,Professor at St.Mel’s College,Longford was arrested with Hugh Callinan (sp.) later to serve in the Irish Army,shortly after raiding the establishment to recover incriminating mail concerning Sean McEoin.He was sentenced to Mountjoy Gaol(Jail)in Dublin.He was caught attempting to escape and was then sentenced to Dartmoor Jail where he made big ones into little ones for a period of time.He was,I understand,released on the signing of the Armistice. I reside in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past sixty odd years.Thanking you, Liam Moran

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