Military Service Pensions Collection

 

 

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File Reference MSP34REF17154
Name Bridget McGlynn
Gender female
Maiden/Other names O'Brien
Address detail
Street Cloonart, Johnston’s Bridge, Dromod
County Leitrim
Country Ireland
Address detail
Street Fairgreen, Westport
County Mayo
Country Ireland
Date of birth 1888
Notes Second date recorded in claim for special allowance
Date of death 1969-08-16
Associated files in MSPA 34E4949; DP15202
Easter rising service No
Organisation Cumann na mBan
Rank Captain
Company Killawalla Branch
Brigade West Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) Mrs O’Brien; applicant herself
Pension Claim Yes
Award Pension Yes
Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 Yes
Type of Award SPASpecial Allowance (DP file)
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 Yes
Grade E
Notes Awarded 1 and 23/36 years of service for pension purposes in 1941.
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF17154 Bridget McGlynn.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E4949 Bridget McGlynn.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP15202 Bridget McGlynn.pdf
File dates 11 February 1935 - 8 May 1970
Subject Information File relates to Bridget McGlynn’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of her service with Cumann na mBan which was successful for the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and the Civil War. She also claimed unsuccessfully for service in all other periods between 1 April 1916 and 30 September 1923. Bridget McGlynn states she helped form the Killawalla branch of Cumann na mBan in 1917, was Captain from the start and was engaged in routine activities including attending parades, drilling, collecting funds, organising dances and attending First Aid lectures. Throughout the War of Independence McGlynn states she lived near Kenury Barracks and observed and reported any enemy movements to her brother who was in the Irish Volunteers (and later the IRA). She claims to have scouted for the Active Service Unit (ASU) prior to the Tourmakeady ambush [May 1921], was put in a position to direct latecomers, and following the ambush directed IRA men to safe houses, took their arms when necessary, and searched the area for wounded or missing IRA men. Applicant also states she was engaged in organising billets for the Mayo ASUs, organising collections for food for same, she carried dispatches, she hid and conveyed guns for the men and generally assisted the ASUs as much as she could. In early March 1921 applicant alleges her place was raided and Cumann na mBan papers taken. As a result she was obliged to stay in neighbouring houses, but states she continued her work. In the Truce period applicant states she attended classes which were held at Aughagower Hall, and claims she came under fire at an election meeting in 1922. During the Civil War period, applicant states she resumed her activities and on one occasion following the Newport ambush, was required to provide billets and food for 350 members of the IRA. She continued to assist the ASUs and was also engaged in sending parcels to prisoners. File includes: original handwritten material submitted and signed by Bridget McGlynn in support of her application; handwritten notes relating to discussions held with Mr Moane, Mr Kilroy, Mrs Moane O’Brien and Miss Knight [verifying officers] regarding claimant's service and activities (1 February 1938 - 19 November 1940); handwritten statements regarding claimant’s service activities from Thomas Maguire, Dr T Shanahan, Mark Killilea, E Moane and Michael Butler (6 January 1937 - 21 February 1940); representations made on behalf of claimant by Dan Breen (20 February 1939) and R Walsh (copy) (10 March 1937); typed transcript of sworn evidence given by claimant before Advisory Committee on 22 July 1937 and summary of same; material relating to her application for and awarding of a Special Allowance under the Army Pensions Acts, (paid from 1 August 1946 until her death) including representations from Michael Moran, TD (25 July - 13 December 1947) and material relating to the settlement and closure of claimant's service pension following her death on 16 August 1969 - partly closed for reasons of data protection.