Dundalk men John McShane and John Craven's experience of war
Medals, letter than came with medal, and photographs of both John McShane and of John Craven.
My great uncle John McShane enlisted in Dundalk in early 1915. He was a postman, member of the Gaelic League and supporter of Home Rule. I think he thought fighting would secure Home Rule, and he certainly didn't want German rule in Ireland either. John was a Lance Corporal in the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). He died on 21st December 1915, and is commemorated on the Loos memorial. John's brother Robert McShane, my grandfather, joined the old IRA. Robert was only a child when John died and a teenager in 1921 when he joined the IRA and in later life was embarrassed by his involvement. Nevertheless, at Robert's funeral in the 1960s he was given a 21 gun salute. Their other brother, Hugh McShane, actually joined the Free State Army in the Irish Civil War. Despite this range of allegiances, the family did not fall out. They continued to acknowledge John's part in the British army after his death, with a photo of him on the wall. During a Black and Tan raid on the house, when an officer saw this picture of a Lance Corporal and spoke to my great-grandfather about John's service the officer ordered the Black and Tans to leave. The house was never raided again.
My other Great Uncle, John Craven, was a Private in The King's (Liverpool). He was blown up by a mine on 7th August 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras memorial.
Photograph
Photograph of my great uncle John Craven on a horse
A photograph of my great uncle, John Craven
A photograph of my great uncle, John McShane
A photograph of my great uncle John McShane with another soldier
London
John McShane; 1914-1915 Star
Letter accompanying John McShane's 1914-1915 Star
Remembrance
Letter from 18th January 1921 posthumously awarding the 1914-1915 Star to John McShane.
Official document
Medal
British War Medal,John McShane's Memorial Plaque and a Victory Medal
British War Medal, Victory Medal and John McShane's Memorial Plaque
British War Medal and Victory Medal
CONTRIBUTOR
Rosena McShane
DATE
1915 - 1918
LANGUAGE
eng
ITEMS
5
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
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