Military Service Pensions Collection

 

 

Guide to the Collection

View the published Guide to the Military Service Pension Collection to find out how the collection is organised and about the information it contains.

download

Guide to the Medal Series

View the published Guide to the Medal Series (1916-1921).

download
dot
Refine search result
Print
Click here to add this item to the selection
File Reference MSP34REF48915
Name Richard Mellett
Gender male
Address detail
Street Lakeview, Ballinrobe
County Mayo
Country Ireland
Date of birth 1900
Notes Exact date of birth not recorded on file
Date of death 1981-10-04
Associated files in MSPA 34E4265;
Easter rising service No
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Private
Unit 4 Battalion
Company Ballinrobe Company
Brigade South Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Patrick May; Thomas Maguire;
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Private
Unit Active Service Unit
Brigade South Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Thomas Powell; Michael O'Clery;
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 5 and 1/6 years service for pension purposes in 1939
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF48915 Richard Mellett.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E4265 Richard Mellett.pdf
File dates 28 November 1936 - 30 October 1997
Subject Information File relates to Richard Mellett's receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for service in the periods between 1 April 1918 and 31 March 1920. Richard Mellett claims membership of the Irish Volunteers and IRA from 1918 onwards. Between 1918 and 1920 he states that he took part in despatch carrying and arms raids. He claims that during the War of Independence he took part in an IRA attack on British forces at Partry, County Mayo in March 1921 and did outpost duty during an ambush at Tourmakeady - date not on file. He states that during the Truce period he took part in IRA training camps and served in the IRA garrison in Ballinrobe. Following the outbreak of the Civil War he served with an Active Service Unit (ASU) and took part in attacks on National Army forces at Cloonacashel - date not on file and mobilised for planned attacks at Hollymount and Ballyglass which did not come off. He was captured in November 1922 but escaped from Athlone Barracks in December. He states that he re-joined his unit despite being injured during his escape and took part in a further attack on National Army troops at Hollybrook in [early] 1923 and mobilised for an attack at Cuslough sometime later which did not come off. He was not captured and remained on the run until 1924. File includes: original handwritten material submitted and signed by Richard Mellett in support of his application; signed handwritten statement regarding subject's service from Thomas Maguire; typed summary (1 page) and transcript (7 pages) of sworn statement made by Richard Mellett before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 on 21 January 1938; handwritten notes dated 11 November 1938 relating to discussion held with "Messrs Fallon [and] May" regarding claimant's service and activities; reference to subject's employment with the Mayo Board of Health in the 1930s and 1940s; material relating to the settlement and closure of Richard Mellett's service pension following his death on 4 October 1981; material relating to Agnes Mellett's receipt of a widows' allowance in respect of Richard Mellett from 1982 onwards; representations on behalf of Agnes Mellett from Padraig Flynn TD, Minister for the Gaeltacht; and material relating to the settlement and closure of Agnes Mellett's widows' allowance following her death on 17 March 1997 - partly closed for reasons of data protection.