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| File Reference |
MSP34REF11688
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| Name |
Elizabeth Walsh |
| Gender |
female |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Castlebar Street, Westport
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
The Infirmary, County Home, Castlebar
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1878-06-16
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| Date of death |
1941-04-01
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| Place |
Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34E4952; DP4714; 1RB3403
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| Related files |
DP4706 - Bridget Walsh, claimant's sister
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| Civilian occupation |
Nurse, Westport Hospital;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Nurse
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| Company |
Medical Services
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| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Kilroy; Dr Madden
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| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Section Commander
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| Division |
4 Western Division
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| Company |
Divisional Medical Services
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Kilroy; Seán Tubridy; Dr Madden
|
| 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 3 years of service for pension purposes in 1941.
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF11688 Elizabeth Walsh.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E4952 Elizabeth Walsh.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP4714 Elizabeth Walsh.pdf
Scanned/digital copy1RB3403 Elizabeth Walsh.pdf |
| File dates |
20 June 1933 - 8 September 1941
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Elizabeth Walsh’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of her service with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) which was successful for the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 31 March 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and the Civil War.
Elizabeth Walsh states she joined Cumann na mBan in 1915, left Westport the same year to become a qualified nurse and returned in 1916. She states she was engaged in routine activities including raising funds and making field dressings and gave First Aid lectures. In 1918 she returned to Hospital in Dublin to complete her training where she remained until 1920 when she qualified.
During the War of Independence Walsh states she got an appointment as a nurse in Westport Union Hospital (February 1921) and from this point seems to have rendered very good service. References state she was able to attend to wounded IRA men in the hospital including Tom Kitterick, Buck Lambert and Owen O’Malley. In May 1921 she attended wounded IRA men following the Kilmeena ambush. Apparently they were prisoners of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and she got access to them to attend them and was able to relieve them of their ammunition before it was discovered. It is also alleged by many references that applicant hid fugitives in the hospital and despite many raids, these men were not discovered. It is also stated that applicant carried dispatches on numerous occasions. Applicant states she wished to leave her job and go with the IRA but was asked by them to stay put as her position was of great use to them.
In the Truce period applicant continued nursing wounded IRA men in the hospital, and gave First Aid lectures to IRA men attending camp in the Westport Union.
During the Civil War Period applicant and references state she went to Shramore Mountains and attended Matt Cawley for several weeks. In October 1922 it appears she went to the Divisional Hospital which was being established in Borrishoole and was put in charge of it. Applicant and references state she rendered full time service there, continued when the hospital was moved to Rosturk Castle until November 1922 and again when it was forced to move around continuously. After the Cease Fire she states she went to Dublin carrying dispatches, attended one wounded man there, and spent a considerable sum of money sending parcels to IRA prisoners. Applicant states that in 1927 she was selected to attend a dinner at which Mr De Valera was present, and was the only lady present.
File includes: original handwritten material submitted and signed by Elizabeth Walsh in support of her application; handwritten notes relating to discussions held with Mr Moane, Mr Kilroy, Mrs Moane O’Brien, Miss Knight, Miss L Kennedy [verifying officers] regarding claimant's service and activities (17 May 1939 - 19 November 1940); handwritten and typed statements regarding claimant’s service activities from Joseph L Baker, Edward Moane,TD, Seán Tubridy, TD, JA Madden, Dr Moran, Threasa Bean Uí Bhriain [Mrs O’Brien née Moane], John F Kilcoyne, Peter Lavelle, T Ó Deirg, TD, Michael Kilroy, Charles Gavan and Nan Kilroy (3 July 1936 -18 November 1940); typed transcript of sworn evidence given by claimant before Advisory Committee on 8 February 1938 and summary of same; and material relating to the settlement and closure of claimant's service pension following her death on 01 April 1941.
File DP4714 contains material and correspondence relating to Elizabeth Walsh’s unsuccessful application for a wound or disease pension or a gratuity under the Army Pensions Acts, 1932. Subject states that she injured herself on 11 December 1922 while jumping of a wall to avoid National Army soldiers between Rosturk and Tiernaur in County Mayo. She was informed that “you did not received any wound or injury while engaged in military service”. File 1RB3403 contains reference from Michael Kilroy TD (1934).
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