Sir, – David Power (January 14th) mentions the question of non-Irish men and women serving in Irish regiments in the first World War. I wonder if I can mention the other side of the coin, and that is the question of Irishmen and women serving in non-Irish forces?
My father and his brother (my uncle) grew up in Rathmullen, Co Donegal, the sons of the then Church of Ireland Rector, Rev William Battersby Lloyd of Co Roscommon. They both emigrated to Canada as teenagers, and later enlisted with Canadian Regiments. My uncle was killed near Vimy Ridge in February 1917. I am not sure how far the digitisation of Ireland’s Memorial Records reflects this. There must be many others in a similar position.
Thanks to Paddy Harte, one time TD in Donegal, my uncle’s name is recorded in a memorial book in that part of the world, and I hope Mr Harte’s good work will be reflected in the latest digitisation.
My father went on to serve in the Home Guard during the second World War. At least 100,000 of his fellow countrymen and women served (and many died) in non-Irish forces in the cause of the freedoms of the governments and people of our two islands. But that’s another story. – Yours, etc,
GAVIN LLOYD,
Merton Road,
Ambrosden,
Bicester,
Oxfordshire,
England.