Connaught Rangers:
A Small Window
---------------------------------------
To you people
who have a vast knowledge of the Connaught Rangers I want to briefly open a
small window which I found in one of the Ballina papers. I have shortened the
report extensively but here is the gist of it. The Ballina Journal Curragh
Correspondent reported in the issue of the 11th June, 1883, that a
Grand Field Day was held at the Curragh Camp. Actually the field day lasted
nearly a week. The first day was termed by the correspondent as the ‘First
Battle’. One of the regiments that took part was the 6th Battalion
Connaught Rangers, under the command of Col. A. W. E. Gore. Lieuteant Ormsby
commanded No. 1 Company; Lieut. Inglis commanded No. 2 Company, and were
supported by No. 3 Company, under Major Blake, followed by the Regiment, and
the Connaught Rangers Band. The object of the exercise was to attack a
particular hill and retain it. After a hard battle they achieved their object,
and the Rangers arose, like one man and gave a ringing cheer so peculiar to
Connaught men. Captain Bourk’s No. 4 Company played a big part in the exercise,
and was helped in this by Captain O’Grady’s company. After their victory the
Rangers marched back to the Barrack with the band playing some lively marches.
The second battle took place the following
Wednesday and those that took part in an attack on the headquarters block
included: 4th Brigade Royal Artillery; 12 squadrons 5th
Lancers; detachment of 3rd Grenadier Guards; 2nd
Battalion Royal Scots; detachment of 1st Battalion Summersetshire
Light Infantry; 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers, and 2nd
Battalion Royal Brigade.
After a description of what took place all the
soldiers returned to the Barracks and the 6th Battalion, once again
under Col. Gore, was complimented by the General commanding the troops.
The 6th Battalion was to leave for
Ballina on the 25th June.
The Journal on 2nd
July, reported that although the training was over there was one more ‘battle’
fought. This battle came after a young Ranger was attacked by a couple of Dublin
Fusiliers, and once again the correspondent gave a full description of what
took place. Notable among the Connaught Rangers that gave the Fusiliers a good
hiding were a number of Ballina men: They included the Flemings and Padden of
Ardnaree, and they did a good deal of the heavy fighting; Corporals Queenan,
Carroll, Huie Gallagher, Michael Ruane and other ‘slashers’ from Ballina also
did more than their share
After Sergeant Major Jackson
of the Connaught Rangers came out of the barracks peace was restored.
(I would like to mention that
the names mentioned here are the same as those that took part in the Great War,
and which some of the fell in Battle).
A letter appeared in the pages of the Journal
about the affray, but it is long so instead, I will read you a poem from a
Sergeant of the Rangers which also appeared about the 6th Battalion:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSPECTION OF
THE 6TH BATTALION CONNAUGHT
RANGERS
(A
poetical Sergeant of the Rangers has sent us the following composition):
-----------------------
On
the twenty-third of June, my boys, in eighteen eighty three,
The
gallant North Mayo marched forth, with courage light and free,
Their
colours waving proudly in the cheering vernal breeze,
Each
precious maiden brightly beamed through gorgeous solar rays.
With measured step each company moved out on
the parade ground,
Whilst
martial music thundered forth, which made the camp resound,
By
ten o’clock we were in line awaiting on the ground,
No
movement was perceptible, and silence reigned around.
Our
gallant Colonel rode in front, and viewed his men with pride,
Whilst
we admired out noble chief, in whom we all confide.
The
General now approached, attended by his suite,
While
from our gallant corps came forth the
general salute.
The
General then stood awhile in evident surprise,
So
stately stood that noble line arrainged before his eyes,
We
then broke into column, marched past in quick time,
Each
company moved forward in a straight unswerving line.
As
quickly each division led, their bayonets brightly gleamed,
Resplendent
in the morning sun which down upon them beamed,
We
now advanced in column along the sandy plain,
And
after wheels to right and left, we formed the line again.
We
then advanced in grandest style without a wave or bend,
From
left to right along the line each soldier kept his place,
Next
through the manual exercise we went with rigid care.
The
glowing beams of burnished steel showing brightly in the air,
As
past and charge in perfect style was given out like one,
From
left to right along the line, alert was every man.
The
General to his staff astonishment expressed,
And
said of all the Corps in camp the North Mayo was best.
Ballina Journal Curragh Camp, 23rd June, 1883
No comments:
Post a Comment