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| File Reference |
MSP34REF3991
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| Name |
Thomas Cleary |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Treenlaur, Newport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1892
|
| Date of death |
1954-12-30
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34E911
|
| Civilian occupation |
Caretaker;
Farmer;
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Captain
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
E Company
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Captain
|
| Company |
Active Service Unit (Flyig Column)
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Joseph Baker; J.J. Connelly; M. O'Brien (internment); M. Sweeney (internment); R. Barton (internment)
|
| 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 4 and 5/6 years service for pension purposes in 1936
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF3991 Thomas Cleary.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E911 Thomas Cleary.pdf |
| File dates |
22 September 1934 - 27 February 1921
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Thomas Cleary's receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA for part or all of the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for service in the periods between 1 April 1916 and 31 March 1920.
Applicant states he was appointed company captain in 1917. During the War of Independence applicant claims he lay in ambush unsuccessfully at Yellow River Bridge. Applicant claims he wanted to join the flying column (active service unit) in 1921 but Major General Kilroy ordered him to remain in his company area which he described as the centre for the column. He was arrested the day of the Skerdigh ambush but later released (date not recorded). He claims he scouted, did guard duty, billeted and held munitions and supplies for the column. Applicant also claims he built dug-outs, made munitions, raided for arms.
During the Truce period applicant attended training camps and served in Newport Barracks. During the Civil War applicant claims he served with the active service unit and fought against National Army forces at Newport (24 November 1922) and Trienbeg (February 1923). He also refers to regular sniping on Newport and commandeering a boat of flour (August 1922). Applicant states he was captured 8 March 1923 during a general round-up and was interned in Galway Prison, Tintown number 2 camp and Hare Park camp until his release in February 1924. Applicant and reference from Joseph Baker claim that both men were originally sentenced at Claremorris to be shot, this was later commuted to twenty (20) years penal servitude and they were released in 1924.
Material relating to subject's military service pension include: handwritten material signed and submitted by Cleary in support of his application; signed handwritten letters and statements regarding subject's service and activities from Joseph Baker and Michael Kilroy; standard form Referee R.15 showing details of claimant's rank and unit strength as of 11 July 1921 and 1 July 1922 from information provided by M. Gallagher, Adjutant 2 Battalion, West Mayo Brigade; typed transcript (4 pages) of sworn statement made by Thomas Cleary on 21 January 1936 before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934; similar sworn statement made by Michael Kilroy on behalf of Cleary; and material relating to subject's widow and surviving next of kin - partly closed.
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