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| File Reference |
24SP10553
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| Name |
Thomas Bentley |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Brickhyill, Cratloe
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| County |
Clare
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1896
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| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
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| Date of death |
1959-08-13
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| Associated files in MSPA |
24BB873; 4P593; A147; 3142A; 982/954 (Empty file)
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| Related files |
24SP6887 (Denis Bentley, brother); MSP34REF4935 (Stephen Bentley, brother)
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| Civilian occupation |
Linesman, Great Southern and Western Railway, Cratloe, County Clare;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
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| Unit |
2 Battalion
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| Company |
A Company (Cratloe)
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| Brigade |
East Clare Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Martin Naughton; W. Lynch
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| National Army Service Number |
SDR69
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
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| Unit |
Active Service Unit
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| Brigade |
East Clare Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Brennan
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| National Army Service Number |
SDR69
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| Organisation |
Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces |
| Rank |
Second Lieutenant
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| Unit |
28 Battalion
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| Company |
MG Company
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| National Army Service Number |
SDR69
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| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
Yes |
| Type of Award |
WPWound pension
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| Notes |
Awarded a wound pension of £40 per annum (1924-final) under the Army Pensions Act, 1923
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
Yes |
| Grade |
B |
| Notes |
Awarded 7.5 years service for pension purposes in 1927
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copy24SP10553 Thomas Bentley.pdf
Scanned/digital copy24B873 Thomas Bentley.pdf
Scanned/digital copy4P593 Thomas Bentley.pdf
Scanned/digital copyA147 Thomas Bentley.pdf
Scanned/digital copy3142A Thomas Bentley.pdf
Scanned/digital copy982954 Thomas Bentley.pdf |
| File dates |
30 June 1925 - 21 January 2008
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| Subject Information |
Archivist’s Note: The applicant’s two brothers Denis Bentley (24SP6887) and Stephen Bentley (MSP34REF4935) served with the IRA.
File relates to Thomas Bentley’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service periods with the IRA in the service between 1 April 1919 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War.
Thomas Bentley states that he served with the British Army in France [during First World War] before joining the IRA in County Clare in April 1919.
References on file state that he joined the ‘Flying Column’ (Active Service Unit) attached to the IRA’s East Clare Brigade in 1920.
Attached to A Company, 2 Battalion, East Clare Brigade, IRA, it is stated that the applicant took part in general IRA activity during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: an attack on Scarriff Barracks and engagements with Crown Forces at Kilrush, Sixmilebridge and Glenwood.
Thomas Bentley claims that he was shot accidently in the left wrist by a fellow IRA member on 2 June 1920 while crossing the River Shannon from County Clare to County Limerick at Cratloe. It is stated that the IRA unit were on their way to raid the Old Castle, Clarina for arms. References on file state that IRA Volunteer William Lynch accidently shot him and was described as “presently serving in the Eastern Command with the rank of Sergeant Major” and “that no blame can be attributed to him” for the incident. The subject claims that he was treated for a few days in a private home by Dr. Roberts, was then admitted to St. John’s Hospital, Limerick for two days and needed treatment for a further eight months afterwards.
It is stated on file that Thomas Bentley was arrested on 8 January 1921 at Cratloe, County Clare and imprisoned in Limerick Prison and [Kilbert Camp], County Cork where he was badly beaten and had his teeth broken. Further claims that he was released on 7 March 1921.
The subject states that he joined the National Army in Limerick on 10 February 1922. Thomas Bentley claims that was discharged on 7 March 1924 while serving as Second Lieutenant, 28 Battalion, Western Division.
Reference Major-General M. Brennan described the applicant as one:
“(of) the most useful Flying Column member I have across. As an individual soldier, he was first, he was a dead shot and was always curious to prove his capabilities … He was a loyal soldier, absolutely fearless and if fighting didn’t come in his way he went and looked for it”.
Material on file shows that Thomas Bentley married Katherine Bentley (née Walshe) on 17 November 1928.
File includes: original handwritten material submitted and signed by Thomas Bentley in support of his service pension application; original signed handwritten and typed statements regarding subject's service from Sean O’Halloran (1925); Major-General M. Brennan (1925); Commandant James Hannon (1926); undated unsigned handwritten notes [of evidence given by Thomas Bentley before the Board of Assessors, Military Service Pensions Act, 1924]; and material relating to the settlement and closure of Thomas Bentley’s service pension account following his death on 13 August 1959.
File 4P593 contains an application for a Wound Pension or Gratuity under the Army Pensions Act, 1923 (4 July 1924); medical reports; certificate of assessments; application for a married pension by a person who is in receipt of a disability or wound pension and who was engaged in pre-truce military service (11 October 1953); copy of applicant’s marriage certificate (1928) and material relating to the death of the applicant’s wife Kathleen Bentley (1957). Subject was awarded a wound pension of £40 per annum (1924-final).
File A147 contains an application for a Wound Pension or Gratuity under the Army Pensions Act, 1923 (9 February 1925); copies of Life Certificates.
File 312/A contains a Personal Injuries Form for £500 compensation (30 June 1923) and material from the Compensation (Personal Injuries) Committee.
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