Irish Pride

In a previous post I talked about the military history of my great-grandfather Christopher Whelan. I have now found out that Christopher's brother-in-law was also enlisted in the British Army. His name was James Gavan (sister to Elizabeth Gavin, Christopher's wife - the difference in spelling is proof that an open mind where Irish surnames are concerned is vital).

Like his younger sister, James was born in the parish of St. Michan in Dublin. At the age of 19 he joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1896. Previously he had been a porter. During his first three years he was home, but had been promoted twice, first to Lance-Corporal, then to Corporal.

He was then sent to South Africa with the 1st Battalion. Above is a picture of the 1st Battalion NCO's. I don't know for certain if James would be in this picture, but I like to imagine that he is. For his campaign he received the King and Queen's Medal with clasps. As you can see below, the Queen's medal comes with clasps. Some are called State Clasps while others are Battle Clasps:
James received two state clasps:

• Orange Free State
• Transvaal

He also received two battle clasps:

• Relief of Ladysmith
• Laings Nek (12 June 1901)

He was again promoted, to Sergeant, in August of 1901. Following the Boer War he was stationed between Malta, Crete, and Alexandria in Egypt. He married Elizabeth Allen in Malta 1904, and had his first child Elizabeth Mary there in 1905. Henry Alexander followed the next year in Alexandria. James Joseph was born in a less exotic location (Fermoy!) when the family returned to Ireland. James was stationed in Ireland from 1906-1918. He had been written up a few times in his career. He was severly reprimanded multiple times for neglect of duty or disobeying an order. I particularly like the incident in 1905 in Malta where he was reprimanded for hesitating to obey an order, and using improper language to his colour sergeant. I would love know what was said that day!

During his 11 years at home in Ireland he rose from Sergeant to Company Sergeant to C.S. Major, and was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major in 1917. His family was living at Beggarsbush Barracks in Dublin in 1911. At this time he was with the 5th Battalion based at Curragh, the headquarters for the British Army in Ireland. The 5th remained in Ireland during WWI, but were transferred to Dublin on April 25th 1916. I have been reliably informed that Sergeant Flood of the 5th Battalion was arrested and court martialled for shooting two officers and Guinness workers during the Easter Rising. What role James played in dealing with the rebels is unknown at the moment.

In 1918 he reliquished the post of Regimental Sergent Major, but retained the role of Company Sergeant Major. He was transferred to the Labour Corps and travelled to France where he stayed for almost a year between 1918 - 1919. He was with a Prisoner of War company and the assumption is that he was in charge of German PoW's immediately after the war.

James returned home to his family and was discharged from the army on the 13th February 1919 after 22 years and 229 days of service. Upon discharge his character was described as Exemplary.

I am proud to have such brave and honourable men as part of my history. I care not that they were members of the British Army, nor that James' battalion was forced to deal with the rebels during the Rising (remember that most Dubliners were against the rebels at the time). These men joined the army to escape poverty, to support families, to defend the country, and to see the world. They fulfilled their duty with honour and courage, and I for one will certainly pause for thought when I pass the memorial arch to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers at St. Stephans Green in Dublin.