Military Service Pensions Collection

 

 

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File Reference MSP34REF1887
Name Thomas Crofts
Gender male
Address detail
Street Grattan Hill, Cork
County Cork
Country Ireland
Address detail
Street 7 Bishopscourt Road, Cork
County Cork
Country Ireland
Notes Date of birth not recorded on file.
Date of death 1971-03-12
Associated files in MSPA 34B50
Related files MSP34REF2165 (Seán Culhane) and 24SP6363 Patrick Leo Ahern claim to be involved in the shooting of Colonel Gerald Brice Ferguson Smyth.
Easter rising service No
Organisation Irish Volunteers
Rank Unknown
Unit Cork City Battalion
Company A and C Company
Brigade Cork Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Tomás McCurtin
Organisation Irish Volunteers
Rank Unknown
Unit 1 Battalion
Company B Company
Brigade 1 Cork Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Fred Murray
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Unknown
Unit 1 Battalion
Company B Company
Commanding Officer(s) Tomás McCurtin; Seán Hegarty
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Battalion Officer Commanding
Unit 1 Battalion
Brigade 1 Cork Brigade
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Unknown
Division 1 Southern Division
Brigade 1 Cork Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Seán Hegarty; Liam Deasy
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Divisional Adjutant
Division 1 Southern Division
Commanding Officer(s) Liam Deasy
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 B
Notes Awarded 8 and 5/8 years service for pension purposes.
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyWMSP34REF1887THOMASCROFTS.pdf
Scanned/digital copyW34B50THOMASCROFTS.pdf
File dates 16 February 1935 - 2 October 2000
Subject Information File relates to Thomas Crofts' receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the Irish Volunteers for part of the periods between 1 April 1916 and 31 March 1919 and with the IRA for the periods 1 April 1919 and 30 September 1923. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for other periods. Crofts claims that he was mobilised during Easter Week. During the third period Crofts states that he was involved in organisation work, armed raids and making munitions. Claims that he held the rank of First Lieutenant, A Company at this time. Crofts further claims that he was involved in anti-conscription campaign and that in November 1918 he assisted in the release of McNeilius. Mentions that from July or August 1920 he was on the run and that his home was raided by British forces. Crofts states that he held the rank of Vice Battalion Officer Commanding at that time. Subject also states that in November [1919] he was involved in the shooting of Clarke and McDonagh (handwritten annotation reads "Ferris and McDonagh"). Crofts states that he executed a spy in south infirmary; that he was in charge of the Whites Cross ambush; attacks on Blarney and King Street barracks; Strickland attack and that in August 1920 he took part in the shooting of Smith [RIC Divisional Commissioner Colonel Gerald Brice Ferguson Smyth (17 July 1920)]. Crofts claims that he was appointed Officer Commanding for Cork City in January 1921 and that he was arrested in March 1921 and interned in Spike Island until November 1921 when he escaped. During the Truce period (12 July 1921 - 30 June 1922) Crofts states that he was involved in the take over of Union Quay and Empress Place barracks; re-organising brigade intelligence service and the capture of SS Upnor. Crofts claims that he held the rank of Brigade Intelligence Officer. Following the outbreak of the Civil War subject states that he held the rank of Brigade Adjutant and Divisional Adjutant. Crofts claims that he was appointed Divisional Officer Commanding following Liam Deasy's arrest and that he succeeded Seán Moylan on the IRA Executive [Council] after the latter went to the United States of America. Statement contains detailed discussion regarding the rank of key individuals in the IRA. Crofts served as a Temporary Officer during the Emergency (Second World War) and was discharged on 30 December 1945. File contains: typed transcript of sworn evidence given by the claimant before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 (27 February 1935); reference from Seán Hegarty; material concerning appeal against rank awarded; copy letter submitted by Crofts and signed by Denis O'Flynn in support of his appeal; handwritten notes of discussions held with Liam Deasy; material relating to payment of pension to widow; material relating to family partly closed.