The Manchester Regiment in Ireland 1921

[celticcally]

 Hi

My name is Kevin O'Callaghan and  I am currently  researching  and writting a screenplay based in part on my fatthers book; 'Execution' published in 1974. I concerns events during the  Irish War of Independence  such as the Dripsey ambush which  the Manchester Regiment based at Ballincollog barracks Co. Cork  were involved.

So if I may I would like to join your forum and inquire about  three serving officers at the time:
Lieutenant General PETER STRICKLAND KBE CB DSO. Lt Colonel Frederick Dorling and Lt Colonel Gareth Evans

Thank You

Kevin O'Callaghan

[timberman]

Hi Kevin

Welcome to the forum.

Not to sure what information you want, but here some on
Lieutenant General PETER STRICKLAND KBE CB DSO  and Lt Colonel Gareth Evans

Peter Strickland (British Army officer)


Lt. Gen. Sir Peter Strickland
Born   3 August 1869
Snitterfield, Warwickshire

Died   24 June 1951
Snettisham, Norfolk

Allegiance     United Kingdom

Service/branch    British Army

Years of service   1888-1931
Rank   Lieutenant-General

Commands held   North Nigeria Regiment
1st Bn the Manchester Regiment
Jullundur brigade
98th Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Western Division of the British Army of the Rhine
6th Division
2nd Division
British Troops in Egypt

Battles/wars   Mahdist War
World War I
Irish War of Independence

Awards   Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Distinguished Service Order

Lieutenant-General Sir (Edward) Peter Strickland KCB KBE CMG DSO (3 August 1869 - 24 June 1951) was a British Army officer who commanded 1st Infantry Division during World War I.
Military career
Educated at Warwick School Strickland was commissioned into the Norfolk Regiment in 1888 and served in Upper Burma in 1888/1889, on the Dongola expedition in 1896 and fighting at the Battle of Atbara and the Battle of Omdurman in 1898. He served in North Nigeria from 1906 and commanded the North Nigeria Regiment in 1909. He served in World War I as Commanding Officer of 1st Bn the Manchester Regiment from 1914 and as Commander of the Jullundur brigade from early 1915 leading it at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and at the Second Battle of Ypres. He continued his war service as Commander of the 98th Brigade from late 1915 and then as General Officer Commanding 1st Infantry Division on the Western Front from 1916 until the end of the War leading it at the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Lys.
After the War he became Commander of the Western Division of the British Army of the Rhine[1] and then General Officer Commanding 6th Division in Ireland in which role he survived an assassination attempt by the Irish Republican Army in Cork in September 1920 before assuming the additional responsibilities of military governor for the counties of Munster, Kilkenny and Wexford in January 1921. He was appointed General Officer Commanding 2nd Division in 1923 and General Officer Commanding British Troops in Egypt in 1927 before retiring in 1931

Ambush at Dripsey
There were 68 men in the IRA ambush party with at least another 7 as scouts and road blockers  (24 with shotguns and most of the rest armed with rifles).  The column was led by Frank Busteed (V/C 6th Battalion) and the Battalion O/C Jackie O'Leary was also present.  (The column has been in a training camp for the previous two weeks at Kilcullen).  The Auxiliary convoy was expected in mid-morning but the column was in place since early morning.  The column had moved two families who lived near the ambush out of their houses.  One of these families was headed by Jack Sweeney who worked for Tim Sheehan, Baker and Grocer in Coachford.  Sweeney was allowed to go to work where he told his employer about the planned ambush. 
Mrs Mary Lindsay from Lemount House, outside Coachford entered Sheehan's about 11.30am.  She was on her way to Ballincollig for a newly introduced military inspection of her car.  (This was a measure that the British introduced in an effort to cut down on the IRA commandeering of cars.)  Mrs Lindsay, originally from Co. Mayo, held strong pro-British views.  When she told Sheehan that she was going to Ballincollig, he advised her not to go through Dripsey and Inishcarra.  She inquired as to why and he told her of the planned ambush.  She informed the police and military about the ambush.  On her way to inform the British, she met Father Ned Shinnick (an RC priest who held anti-IRA views) and told him about the ambush.  He went to the I/O of the local IRA company and told him to tell the IRA ambushers that the British had been informed of their position. 
On receiving this news, the IRA leaders of the ambush discussed it but decided that it was a ruse by Fr Shinnick to get them to abandon their ambush.  Seventy men of 'C' Company of the the Manchester Regiment, led by Lt Col Gareth Evans (along with Lieutenants Sykes, Orgill, Todd and Vining) surrounded the ambushers and captured ten men as follows Jim Barrett, Patrick O'Mahony (O'Mahoney according to O'Callaghan), Timothy McCarthy, Thomas O'Brien, Denis Murphy, Jeremiah O'Callaghan, Daniel O'Callaghan, John Lyons, Eugene Langtry and Denis Sheehan. The last two had nothing to do with the ambush. The first six were wounded, with Barrett being badly wounded.  Two other IRA men (Timothy O'Riordan and William Lucey) were also wounded but managed to escape.  The prisoners are brought to Dripsey Cross then onto Ballincollig Barracks - they are not ill-treated after capture.  (Townshend says that two IRA men were killed at the ambush site but this would seem to be incorrect.)
Five of the captured men were executed on the 28th February.

Timberman

[celticcally]

Hi Timberman

A belated thank you for the information you provided me with in your last post. I am sorry I did not reply sooner but I have been engaged on another project and wanted to finish that one before returning to this project.

Since I last posted, new information has come to light. I am in contact with Frank Busteed's grandson Brian O'Donachu who remembers my father and his grandfather meeting and him being interviewed by my father for his book 'Execution' Also Brian informed me that Frank Busteed and Lt Colonel Gareth Evans actually met to negotiate the release of Mrs Mary Lindsay a suspected informer who Busteed had kidnapped in return for the lives of the seven IRA men Lt Colonel Evans has suprised and surrounded at Dripsey Co Cork.

This meeting and the other events at Dripsey and Cork  were the subject of a radio drama broadcast by  RTE ( The Republic of Ireland's national radio station) in 1997 called; "Day-break and a Candle's End"

There seems to be a lot of information  on the Web on General Strickland who was GOC in Co Cork at the time but I cannot find anything on Lt Col. Evans does anybody out there in the wide world of the Manchesters have any info on him as he seems to be an interesting character. Was he in fact welsh? and what happened to him.

Thanks and regards

Kevin

[Robert Bonner]

I don't know where you got the name Gareth Evans from but the officer concerned was Lieut-Colonel Wilfred Keith Evans.  Commissioned into the Regiment 21 April 1900. Later Brigadier-General CMG., DSO and Colonel of the Regiment between 1932 and 1934.

His two sons, Michael and Nigel, both served as regular officers in the Regiment.

Brigadier-General Evans died on 18 July 1934 and was succeeded as Colonel of the Regiment by Colonel Francis (Frankie) Holland Dorling DSO - the other officer you enquired about.

[celticcally]

Hi Robert

Thanks for your prompt reply to my post.
This then is a mystery. My father inerviewed Busteed who mentions a Gareth Evans for his Book Execution
Another book Lady Hostage also mentions a Gareth Evens
Tmberman in a posting on this very site also mentions him in his account of the Dripsey ambushmentions a

The RTE play mentions a Gareth Evans
if he doesn't exist or has a different name how come all these sources are wrong!

Regards

kevin

[Wendi]

Kevin.  Welcome to our forum.

Robert didn't say " wrong " he said he did not know where you got the name from.

One of the main objectives of our forum is to discover the truth through polite discussion.  May I suggest that you are both talking about the same man and that "Gareth" maybe a family or chosen name.

Wendi

[celticcally]

Hi Wendi
Thank you for your words of  welcome and Thank you for your post.

I  must apoligise to Robert. I dd not mean my post to sound rude  and abrupt and I apologise to him if he thinks so.
I do now acknoledge that Lt Colonel Evans might have has another first name. The Manchester Regiment war dairies of the period 1921 do mention just a LT Colonel Evans, with no first name,  who led the unit of the Ist Manchesters that captured the seven IRA nen who incidently were treated very well on capture and given tea and bacon sandwiches unlike the treatment metered out to other IRA men captured by the Black and Tans the Auxilieries and the Essex regiment.

I just do not know were all the other sources got the name Gareth from including your fellow Moderator Timberman.

Sorry again

Kevin 

[Wendi]

Hey no probs Kevin!

Robert may know through his connections with Evans children whether he was Welsh or not.

It is not uncommon, even today for Welsh to be known by their middle name, or indeed a "pet" name, and these can be fiercely guarded, and in some cases taken to their graves, which can cause much confusion when trying to research a death.  I have had cases where the deceased has been registered dead under their "pet" name.

Don't worry I'm sure we'll get to the bottom if it !!!

Wendi 

[tonyrod]

Manchester soldiers, lost in IRELAND.

Cork 20/07/1920
In an ambush on the 20th of July 1920 while driving from Macroom to Ballyvourney County Cork several soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment were seriously injured, two soldiers later died from wounds received. They were:
Barlow   E F   64159   Private   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment   26   01/08/1920
Son of Mrs. Eliza Ann Barlow, of 19, Lois St., Shaw.
Airy (Airey) James Oswald    Captain   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment   36   21/07/1920
Husband of Gladys Maud Airy, of 8, Cleveland Rd., Ealing, London.

Cork 20/11/1920
Thompson   J T    -   Captain   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment    -   20/11/1920
Thompson�s body was found in a turnip field near Bishopstown County Cork. The farmer who owned the field reported to the police that the body was lying in his field. On investigation it was found that the body was lying face down, when the body was turned over it was found that Thompson was blind-folded with a handkerchief, a revolver bullet was found under the body and it was reported that Thompson�s wrist watch had stopped at 8.50

Cork 07/09/1919
The Irish Time newspaper reported on three young musicians who �broke out� of their barracks in Cork and were kidnapped and killed by the IRA. The three soldiers were killed on the 5th of June 1921 at Kilcrea County Cork.
Cooper   John   3513044   Boy   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment   16   05/06/1921
Son of John and Ellen Cooper, of 22, Retiro St., Oldham.
Carson   M   3513561   Boy   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment   18   05/06/1921
Son of Robert and Ellen Carson, of 45, Hope Rd., Sale, Cheshire.
Chapman   C A   3513058   Boy   1st Bn. Manchester Regiment   17   05/06/1921
Son of William Edward Chapman, of Birch Lea, Lees, Oldham.

Roughley   F   3514304   Rank   1st. Bn. Manchester Regiment    -   15/06/1921 

[timberman]

Hi Kevin

Just a bit more info.

It would seem that Lt Colonel Gareth Evans and Lieut-Colonel Wilfred Keith Evans
are one and the same person, As Wendi says, Gareth was possibly a preferred name he used.
(He isn't on his own )

He was
High Sheriff of Radnorshire

The office of High Sheriff is over 1000 years old, with its establishment before the Norman Conquest. The Office of High Sheriff remained first in precedence in the counties until the reign of Edward VII when an Order in Council in 1908 gave the Lord-Lieutenant the prime office under the Crown as the Sovereign's personal representative. The High Sheriff remains the Sovereign's representative in the County for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
The office of High Sheriff for Radnorshire ceased with local government re-organisation in 1974, when it was combined with the High Sheriffs of Brecknockshire and Montgomeryshire as the High Sheriff of Powys.

1931: Brig General Wilfred Keith Evans, CMC, DSO of Caemawr, Clyro

April 2nd 1920 (corrected from 1921)
First battalion of the Manchester Regiment arrive in Cork under Lt Col Gareth Evans billeted in Fermoy and Kilworth.


The information relating to  Lt Colonel Gareth Evans came from a few sources after goggling his name.

Hopefully Robert can confirm this for you.

http://www.cairogang.com/soldiers-killed/thompson/thompson.html

gives a bit of info where the Manchester's were stationed.

Timberman

[Wendi]

Kevin, it would appear that he and his family came from Hertford, Hertforshire.  I've put together a few bits for you.

Wilfred Keith Evans birth registered in the 3rdQtr of 1878 in Hertford.

1881 Census  All born and living in Hertford
Ernest R Evans  36 General Practitioner
Mary J Evans 33 Wife
Ernest H Evans 4 son
Wilfred K Evans 2 son
Mary K Evans 5 months
Piece 1425/99/51

1891 � 74 Fore Street, Hertford

Ernest R Evans  46 General Practitioner (Surg)
Mary J Evans 40 Wife
Ernest H Evans 14 son
Wilfred K Evans 12 son
Mary K Evans 10 Daughter

1901 � 74 Fore Street, Hertford
Ernest R Evans  56 Surgeon
Mary J Evans 53 Wife
Ernest H Evans 24 son Undergraduate Oxford
Mary K Evans 20 Daughter

1911 Census � India 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment
Wilfred Keith Evans 32 Single Captain

While in 1911 at 74 Fore Street someone was sick
Ernest Richard Evans    66 Surgeon
Mary Fanny Evans    63
Ernest Harry Evans    34 Clergyman (Established Church)
Florence Tisdall    36 Sick Nurse
Rachel Prior    37 Housemaid
Rose Swan    32 Cook
Charlotte Brand    25 Parlourmaid
Ethel Mary Crossman    16 Kitchenmaid

Wilfred Keith Evans Died 1934 Hertfordshire. Funeral 21st July at All Saints Church Hereford. Service conducted by his brother

There is an obituary and report of funeral in The Times Archive.  The obit makes no mention of Ireland, but just says �In the post-War period he commanded the 1st battalion of his regiment on the Rhine, which appointment he relinquished when he retired from the Army in 1925�.

Wendi

[celticcally]

 Hi Wendi and Timberman

Thanks to both of you for your information but it has me perplexed.
Oh so he was not Welsh then. Oh dear I have him down as being a Collery owners son from Merthyr-Tydfil oh well never mind.
So he was 43 in 1921 and the Manchester War Diaries of January 1921 have him down as leading the unit at Dripsey Co. Cork that captured the seven IRA volunteers but you timberman in your last post said that he arrives in Cork in 2nd April 1921
The mystery deepens!!
Could there be two Lt Colonel Evans in the 1st Manchest's?

Regards

Kevin

[Robert Bonner]

Kevin.

Only three regular army officers with the name Evans served in the Regiment before 1925.  They were Henry, Ivor and Wilfred.  Wilfred was the only Lieutenant-Colonel.

He accompanied the 1st Battalion to Ireland on 1 April 1920, arriving Dublin 2 April 1920.
Acting on information received a party of the battalion, consisting of Lieutenant -Colonel Evans, 4 officers and 60 other ranks left barracks on 28 January 1921 to the scene of the reported ambush.   The rest you know...

[celticcally]

Hi Robert

Thanks for that

I am glad that has been cleared up!

Thanks for all your help Robert Wendi and Timberman  I hope you will all go and see the movie when it is made (if it is made)

As it will make out the Manchesters to be the good guys and Lt Colonel Evans he chiief good guy!!!!

Kind Regards

Kevin

Kevin

[Tim Bell]

I visited the new Brookwood 1914-1918 Memorial today and noted Frank Roughley as one of the two Manchester names. I think this must be his first CWGC Commemoration. Noting the dates specified for the Memorial name, I assume this is the most appropriate choice for the inter-war period. Was any Forum Member involved in the Commemoration ?
Tim