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| File Reference |
MSP34REF2995
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| Name |
John Chambers |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
Dailie Chambers
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| Address detail |
| Street |
New Antrim Street, Castlebar
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
The Mall, Castlebar
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1900-05-11
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| Date of death |
1971-01-28
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34D290; 1P399; 2APB49; E232
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| Related files |
MSP34REF2993 James Chambers (brother)
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| Civilian occupation |
Lorry driver, employed by Mayo County Council;
Courthouse Keeper, Castlebar Courthouse, Mayo County Council;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
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| Company |
ASU Castlebar/Flying Column
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| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
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| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
Yes |
| Grade |
D |
| Notes |
Awarded 5 and 11/12 years of active service for pension purposes in 1936
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
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| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF2995 John Chambers.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D290 John Chambers.pdf
Scanned/digital copy1P399 John Chambers.pdf
Scanned/digital copy2APB49 John Chambers.pdf
Scanned/digital copyE232 John Chambers.pdf |
| File dates |
19 February 1935 - 19 April 2010
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| Subject Information |
File relates to John Chambers' successful pension application (lodged on 19 February 1935) in respect of his service with Fianna Éireann and the Irish Republican Army from 1916 to 1923. For pension purposes, his service with the IRA was recognised from 1 April 1919 to 30 September 1923 and Chambers was originally awarded 5 and 1/2 years of active service in January 1936. The award was reviewed following appeal and submission of new evidence. Chambers was eventually awarded 5 and 11/12 years of active service in November 1937.
Chambers was a Fianna boy from 1914/1915 in Castlebar sluagh, was part of a mobilisation effort in the Castlebar area in 1916 and he helped organise more branches in the area. In 1917, he helped the anti-conscription effort in the battalion area and a year later, was involved in elections work. He transferred to the Irish Volunteers at this time (1918). An ASU was formed in Castlebar in 1919 and Chambers claims he was a member and his main activity then was collecting weapons and ammunition. In 1920 he was appointed Company Captain and he states that by the end of that year, he was ordered to make preparations for a Flying Column. In 1921, he was 'on the run' and was involved in various actions in the area (rescuing wounded men, capturing and releasing British Officers). Chambers mentions in his statement that he sustained a knee injury at one of theses actions at Kilmeena and spent some time at the hospital (23 May 1921). He was discharged a month after the Truce. Chambers acted Vice Commandant for a couple of month (the previous Vice Commandant [Jordan] was killed on 19 May 1921). Chambers also mentions acting for his brother before he had to go back to the hospital. He stayed there for about a month. He re-joined the column at the start of the Civil War. Chambers mentions he participated in the attack on Castlebar Barracks and Jail with the ASU. He was captured while under Dr Thornton's care in November 1922 and brought to Castlebar Jail. While being transferred to Athlone with R Walsh (TD), Chambers managed to disarm the military guard, seized the car and escaped. He was later sent to hospital in Dublin and as soon as he could, reported for duty to 2 Battalion Dublin Brigade.
The file contains the original application form lodged by Chambers on 19 February 1935, a typed sworn statement made before Advisory Committee on 19 April 1935, handwritten accounts of activities by Chambers, typed sworn statement of Richard Walsh (Balla, Co Mayo) made before Advisory Committee on behalf of applicant on 19 April 1935, reference letters by Michael Kilroy, John Hoban, James Chambers (his brother), typed sworn statement made before the Advisory Committee by Michael Kilroy (10 June 1936), material concerning the actual pension payment, life certificate, correespondence with Margaret Chambers (née Cruise) regarding pension entitlements and funeral grants, as applicant's widow (date of marriage: 9 October 1940). Margaret Chambers wrote regularly to the successive ministers of Defence (including postcards) until her death (4 February 2009).
Chambers found employment as a lorry driver for Mayo County Council ifrom March 1939 until November 1941. In March 1942 he started employment as a Courtkeeper at Castlebar County Courthouse (£80 per annum).
1P399: relates to Chambers' application for a wound pension (application undated but probably lodged in 1924). Chambers claims for an injured knee, wound sustained at Skerdagh, Newport while rescuing two (2) wounded men, following an ambush at Kilmeena on 23 May 1921. He names the wounded men: M Hughes and James Swift. His application was successful and he was awarded a £50 gratuity under the Army Pensions Act, 1923.
Some material was withdrawn in accordance to Data Protection legislation.
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