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| File Reference |
MSP34REF16826
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| Name |
Michael Davis |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
3 Harold’s Cross Road, Harold’s Cross, Dublin
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| County |
Dublin
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
47 Upper Clanbrassil Street, Dublin
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| County |
Dublin
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
943 Monroe Street, North Bergen, New Jersey
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| Country |
United States of America
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| Address detail |
| Street |
62 Riverview Avenue, Grantwood, New Jersey
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| Country |
United States of America
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| Address detail |
| Street |
655-37th Street, Union City, New Jersey
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| Country |
United States of America
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| Address detail |
| Street |
95 Oak Grove Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey 07604
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| Country |
United States of America
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| Date of birth |
1898
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| Date of death |
1979-12-16
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34E5397
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
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| Unit |
3 Battalion
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| Company |
C Company
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| Brigade |
Dublin Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
James Grace, James Doyle, Patrick Flanagan
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| 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 two (2) years service for pension purposes at Grade E in 1938 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF16826 Michael Davis.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E5397 Michael Davis.pdf |
| File dates |
19 December 1934 - 26 July 1995
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Michael Davis’ receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1920 and 11 July 1921 during the War of Independence. Subject unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1916 and 31 March 1920 and between 12 July 1921 and 30 June 1922. Davis was awarded two (2) years service for pension purposes at Grade E in 1938 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
In correspondence, Michael Davis’ father claims that his son was involved in the Howth Gunrunning in 1914 but this is not corroborated on file. Applicant claims that he joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915 but also mentions that he was attached to Na Fianna Éireann under Garry Holohan (MSP34REF1385) and Barney Mellows (MSP34REF16537) in this period.
During Easter Week 1916, Michael Davis states that he was part of the Boland’s Mills Garrison and spent a number of days at an outpost in Robinson’s builder’s yard at rear of Clanwilliam House near Mount Street. Applicant initially claimed that he was there until Wednesday or Thursday but in later correspondence states that he was relieved of his .32 revolver and ammunition by James Grace (MSP34REF368) on Tuesday evening and “ordered … to stay home until he sent for me”. He gives the names of James Doyle (MSP34REF20659), Albert Rutherford (MSP34REF22365), Patrick Dunn and Simon Donnelly (34C7) as individuals who could corroborate his 1916 service. Subject did not receive a 1916 Medal or recognition of service in his service pension.
Subject states that he re-joined C Company, 3 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers in September 1916 under the command of Captain Simon Donnelly and Joe O’Connor (MSP34REF901). He claims that he was Company Musketry Instructor; did guard duty at Mansion House (August 1918) and 6 Harcourt Street (November 1918) and was Battalion Musketry Instructor for companies in Dundrum, Ticknock and Shankill in South Dublin (three nights weekly for three months) under command of Andrew McDonnell (MSP34REF16644).
During the War of Independence (January 1919 - July 1921), Michael Davis states that under the command of James Grace, James Doyle and Patrick Flanagan he took part in disarming police on Ticknock Mountain (January 1919); arms raid on 38 Harcourt Street (1920); raid for a wanted man at Lower Gardiner Street near the Labour Exchange (1920); burning of income tax offices at 32 Nassau Street and the execution of two British army officers at Nos. 2 and 28 Upper Pembroke Street (’Bloody Sunday’, 21 November 1920).
Michael Davis states that he was arrested by British forces on 11 December 1920 and detained in Portobello Barracks, Dublin; Arbour Hill, Dublin and No. 1 Camp, Ballykinlar Internment Camp, County Down. He released in December 1921 in the general amnesty of IRA prisoners under the terms of the Anglo Irish Treaty.
During the Truce period, the applicant sates that he was in charge of his company in occupation of the Ballast Office but that the unit surrendered their arms to Lord Mayor of Dublin [Laurence] O’Neill. He says that the company broke up as a result. Subject did not claim for Civil War activity and emigrated to the United States of America (USA) in 1924. He lived there until his death in 1979.
File includes reference in support of the subject’s claim from Joseph O’Connor (1937) and James Doyle (1937); handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officer Joseph O’Connor on 09 September 1938 and 28 October 1940; correspondence with Department of External Affairs regarding subject’s appeal for Easter Week 1916 service (1941); letter from brother Sean P Davis on behalf of subject regarding request to have his pension paid annually or every six months (1944); letter from brother Sean P Davis on behalf of subject asking for Service (1917-1921) Medal (1944); letter from subject’s father on behalf of his son who is asking for his service pension award to be reviewed (“I gave three sons to the Republican army - [Michael] was the … longest in that service [and] his award has indeed been a poor one” (1945); typed letter from Danny Molloy to Michael Hilliard TD making representations on behalf of subject for a 1916 Medal (1968); correspondence between applicant and the department about the issuing and cashing of pension warrants (1977-78); copy of marriage certificate between Michael Davis and Julia Pieschl in Union City, New Jersey (17 August 1936); material relating to the payment of the balance of the pension and a funeral grant to next of kin following subject’s death on 16 December 1979 and retuned envelopes addressed to Julia Davis marked “moved, left no address” (1994-95).
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