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| File Reference |
MSP34REF55990
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| Name |
Nora Gavin |
| Gender |
female |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Main Street, Castlebar
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1891-06-28
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34E6906; DP20471
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| Civilian occupation |
Assistant clerk/telephonist, Post Office, Kiltimagh;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Cumann na mBan |
| Company |
Castlebar branch
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| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
MJ Chambers
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| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
Yes |
| Type of Award |
SPASpecial Allowance (DP file)
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
Yes |
| Grade |
E |
| Notes |
Awarded 1 and 1/2 years of service for pension purposes in 1942.
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF55990 Nora Gavin.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP20471 Nora Gavin.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E6906 Nora Gavin.pdf |
| File dates |
14 January 1938 - 22 November 1965
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Nora Gavin‘s successful pension claim in respect of her service with Cumann na mBan for parts and entire periods between 1 April 1920 and 11 July 1921. She was awarded 1 and 1/3 years of service for pension purposes in May 1942, which was revised a few months later following an appeal and was increased to 1 and 1/2 years. Applicant claims service before and during Easter 1916 under M McHugh. She is unsuccessful for that part of the claim.
Applicant was appointed to the Post Office in Tuam, Co Galway in August 1914. She was subsequently transferred to Tubbercurry (Co. Sligo) and then to Kiltimagh, Co.Mayo. She lost her employment as a telephonist in Kiltimagh Post Office as a result of her sympathies and points out that she was never reinstated. In her typed statement, she explains, in detail, how she evaded arrest by the RIC and how she was formally dismissed.
The Sunday after Easter week she gave some information to Dick Walsh which led to the capture of National Volunteers rifles at Balla. She also explains that she had been a member of the Sinn Fein Club and that when she went back to Kiltimagh, she joined Cumann na mBan. In 1917-1918 she was constantly in touch with the local Volunteers in Castlebar. In 1919, the family business expanded as her brothers were contractors to the British Garrison for foodstuffs ('Gavin Brothers') and during the War of Independence, information concerning the Crown Forces were regularly obtained at these premises. Volunteers occasionally stayed in the house on Spencer Street. She also used the same premises to get the Republican Paper from Dublin.
She received and took verbal messages. It is said that the applicant's sister was friendly with the 'Tans' and because of this, 'suspicions were diverted from your [the applicant's] connection with the Vols'. Early in 1921, she was sent to Dublin to pick up a bag of arms and ammunition from Dick Walsh to take to Ballinrobe by train. She claims to have been active until the Truce.
In 1922, she explains that 'when the Cosgrovian Government was formed my brothers became prominent supporters of its policy, a state of affairs which made my position both impossible and ridiculous'. She continued for a time to help some 'Irregulars', without telling her own brothers. However they 'pratically outlawed her' from the family home because of her sympathies and she eventually had to travel to England. She remained there for three months with a sister of hers.
File includes: pension application submitted by applicant and related correspondence regarding the progress of her case; reference letters from E Mongey, PJ Cannon, Seán Walsh, Liam [Ó Coinín], Richard Walsh; detailed typed statement regarding applicant drafted by Seán T Ruane (2pp); typed summary of evidence given before interviewing officers by the applicant on 18 March 1941; typed detailed account of activities.
Also held on file is paperwork charting the management of service pension payments paid to her until her death. This paperwork, which contains names and addresses of applicant's representatives organising the settlement of her estate, is closed under Data Protection.
DP20471 : relates to the subject's Special Allowance claim. She was awarded €65 per annum from 28 September 1951. In December1955, her allowance was not increased and was the subject of a recovery against overpayment made on foot of previous awards (applicant had not disclosed the income derived from running a small shop). Note from Dr Mongey: "...suffering form mental depression, insomnia and marked debility. Her capacity for work is very limited and quickly exhausting", Report from A Sheridan: "I consider the applicant almost totally disabled owing to prolonged mental strain which produced the present state of nervous physical exhaustion set out in the report. While I think that good nourishment and rest might improve the condition it would not be sufficient to render applicant capable of ever making a living".
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