Royal Munster Fusiliers Association News

For any News and Notices then you can contact the secretary, T.Moloney, 86 High Meadows, Gouldavoher, Limerick, Ireland.

The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association will be held on:

Saturday May 5, 2012, at 2pm. Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork.

At eleven o'clock on November 11th,2011, without any great pomp, the committee of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association laid a wreath on the Limerick war memorial. This was done, not only on behalf of our home members in Ireland, but also for those of our members scattered throughout the world.

Dardanelles - On Wednesday April 25, The RMFA Committee laid a wreath at the Limerick War Memorial
in memory of the dead of the regiment.

INAUGURATION OF THE IRON 12 MEMORIAL

L’INAUGURATION DU MONUMENT DES DOUZE D’IRON

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2023

SAMEDI 17 SEPTEMBRE 2011

PROGRAMME

10h00 ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN GATE OF GUISE CASTLE, RUE DE LA

CITADELLE, GUISE AND PROCESS TO THE EXECUTION SITE.

RASSEMBLEMENT� LA PORTE PRINCIPALE DU CHATEAU DE GUISE, RUE

DE LA CITADELLE , GUISE,ET D�FIL�VERS LE SITE DE L’EXECUTION.

11h15 ST M�DARD CEMETERY, GUISE : WREATH-LAYING ON THE GRAVES OF

THE ELEVEN BRITISH SOLDIERS AND OF M. VINCENT CHALANDRE.

LE CIMETI�RE DE ST M�DARD, GUISE :DEP�T DES GERBES SUR

LESTOMBES DES ONZE SOLDATS BRITANNIQUES ET DE M VINCENT

CHALNDRE.

12h00 FREE TIME.

TEMPS LIBRE.

14h3O : ASSEMBLE AT THE SITE OF THE LOGEZ MILL, IRON, NOW THE CERENA

AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES DEPOT, 28 RUE DE HANNAPPES, 02510, IRON.

RASSEMBLEMENT � L’EMPLACEMENTDE L’ANCIENMOULIN LOGEZ,

AUJOURD’HUI L’ENTREP�T DE CERENA, 28 RUE DE HANNAPPES, 02510,

IRON.

14h45 : PROCESS TO THE SITE OF THE IRON 12 MEMORIAL BESIDE THE IRON

VILLAGE WAR MEMORIAL.

D�FIL�� L’EMPLACEMENT DU MONUMENT DES DOUZE D’IRON, � C�T�

DU MONUMENT AUX MORTS , IRON.

15h00 : INAUGURATION CEREMONY.

C�R�MONIE D’INAUGURATION.

15h45 : REFRESHMENTS IN THE TOWN HALL.

COCKTAILDE CLOUTURE � LA MARIE, RUE DU MOULIN, IRON.

IN ADDITION DURING THE WEEKEND OF 17-18 SEPTEMBER 2011 THERE WILL BE AN

EXHIBITION ON ‘RESISTANCE IN THE NORD DEPARTMENT DURING THE GREAT WAR’

IN THE SALLE DE SALLE DE F�TES, IRON.

EN PLUS LE WEEKEND LE 17-18 SEPTEMBRE 2011 IL Y AURA UNE PR�SENTATION DE L’

EXPOSITION ‘RESISTANTS DANS LE NORD PENDANT LA PREMI�RE GUERRE

MONDIALE’ � LA SALLE DE F�TES, IRON.

Wreath Laying at Islandbridge

THE QUEEN AT ISLANDBRIDGE

We were honoured to be present at the wreath laying ceremony by the Queen and President Macaleese at the National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin on May 18. The ceremony was attended by some six hundred guests from the various strands of ex-military organisations, and could in fact have served as a convention for the entire ex-regimental association family.

The Memorial Gardens were a credit to all responsible for their upkeep; they looked splendid in the early summer with well-tended lawns off-setting the granite monumental masonry. The weather to begin with was breezy and overcast but soon began to pick up, with the sun occasionally breaking through to warm us. After the arrival of the Queen and the President, and the playing of both National anthems, the wreaths were laid. This was carried out in dignified silence. Then the party walked a short distance to view the books containing the names of the Irish war dead. That concluded the ceremony. The significance of this great historical occasion was felt by all present and, hopefully, will have set a precedent for future visiting dignitaries.

Annual General Meeting 2011

Our Annual General Meeting was held in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Saturday May 7. We were pleased that the meeting had a good attendance and a great amount of business was covered in the two hours allotted. After the meeting there was plenty of time to meet old friends, all of whom had arrived from all points of the province.
The reports of the Secretary, and the Treasurer, gave a picture of a very strong organisation, pointing to good prospects for the future, provided that we remain within present financial boundaries.

The following is a small selection of points discussed at the Annual General Meeting.
It was accepted by the meeting that the Association committee be increased by 3 members. The three members (unopposed): J. Prendergast (Cork); G. White (Cork); T. Dillon (Kerry).

Committee now: J. Prendergast; G. White; T. Dillon; B. Good; D. Carroll.

It was agreed that the RMFA journal would now be distributed from Cork by the Journal Committee; the Journal Committee having for that purpose a nominal roll of all bona fide members.
A more simplified RMFA Constitution/Rules put before the meeting was accepted unanimously.
The meeting agreed that the membership fee be increased to €15, to offset the cost of producing the new style journal and also to bring the Association in line with similar organisations.

It was agreed that the occasional meetings between the Executive and its committee continue.
It was suggested that the Association produce a greeting card based on a design adopted by the Royal Munster Fusiliers (pending).

GALLIPOLI (DARDANELLES) COMMEMORATION

April 25 2011

Our Annual Gallipoli Commemoration was held at the Limerick war memorial on Monday April 25.
At the stroke of eleven the wreath was laid commemorating the men of the Royal Munster Fusiliers,
and by extension, all who were lost in that unfortunate venture. A list of the names of Limerick men
lost in the conflict was read out, after which a minutes’ silence was observed. Then came the
customary verse from Binyon’s For The Fallen.

It is testimony to the horrific nature of the First World War that, ninety-six years after the event, we
still feel compelled to honour their brave sacrifice. Although the Gallipoli Campaign itself was seen
by some as a “side show” (it lasted nine months) it cost the allies 44,092 dead and 96,937 wounded -
some side show.

The dead, those with graves, lie within the 31 CWGC cemeteries on the peninsula, for those who died
on hospital ships and were buried at sea, there is no known grave; these men’s names are each
recorded on one of the five memorials to the missing.

Dear Regimental Association Secretaries,

I met with Andr� Gruselle, the Mayor of Iron, yesterday in Iron. The date for the inauguration of the memorial has been fixed for Saturday 17 September 2011.

As well as the inauguration of the memorial I hope that there will be some events in Guise at the Town Hall (to say thank you to the Mayor for preseving and marking Chalandre's grave), the execution site at the Chateau, and, of course, at the cemetery where the 12 are buried and the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque on Chalandre's tomb. But the Guise programme has yet to be agreed - or even discussed.

So it will be a full and busy day.

In France that weekend is le weekend du Patrimoine, devoted to a consideration of local history and culture. As part of this we hope - and I would stress that it is a hope - to put on a small exhibition in Iron Village Hall about the Iron 12. At the very least we can offer a guided walk around the village to show some of the sites linked to the tragedy.

And of course you may wish to make your own visits to places of importance to your own regiments.

A busy day? A busy weekend, I think.

Please, please don't take this as a message that we already have enough money. We don't! Please keep the donations rolling in.

Best regards

Hedley Malloch

Launch of new style RMFA journal

We are pleased that our members will now be receiving their first issue of a new style RMFA journal; as was decided at our Annual General Meeting at Mallow, County Cork in, 2010. We were very fortunate to have had the expertise of a talented editorial committee, who have produced a professional and interesting magazine worthy of our admiration. Our members will forgive us for being a little late, but all will agree that the result was worth it. For those (both members and non-members) wishing to purchase surplus copies, the prices are:

Republic of Ireland - €7, (includes p&p)
United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, etc, €10, (includes p&p)

Association members who wish to purchase surplus journals, may do so at the reduced price of €5.

Postal contact address:
J. McNulty, 1, College View Drive, Shannon Banks, Limerick.


Articles and letters for the Association journal are always welcome at :
	[email protected]

18th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011.

The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association will be held in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork, on Saturday May 7, commencing at 3p.m.

AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the last Annual General meeting
3. Chairman’s address
4. To receive the annual report from: The Secretary; the Treasurer
5. Adoption of reports - Moved by - Seconded by.
6. Appointment of committee and executives
7. To consider recommendations
8. Any other business.
Note: the closing date for recommendations (proposals) is one week prior to the AGM.
--------------------

First RMFA wreath in Cork November 1993.
It was not long after the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association was founded in Limerick that it was decided to attract some attention in Cork, once the largest catchment area of the ‘Munsters’. We had by this time several members from Cork in the Association but we thought it better not to attempt too big a show. So with that in mind, on a grey November day in 1993 four of us piled into a car and set off for Cork to lay a wreath at their war memorial. We left at 7a.m. from Limerick, arriving and parking at Cork at 8.30. It was planned to lay our wreath precisely at 11 a.m., so we had plenty of time to reconnoitre and get a ‘feel’ of the situation. When the eleventh hour struck, and the little ceremony had started, we were delighted to notice that some passers-by had stopped to watch in silence, impressed seemingly by the quiet dignity of the laying. It might be fanciful for me to think that our small act sparked what was later to become the impressive Remembrance Day ceremony now seen in Cork - but who is to say?
We only stayed long enough to take one or two photographs for ‘posterity’, and then home. It seems so long now since that day, and sad to think that three of the four who travelled with me are now gone.

Gordon Spillane
Chairman.

LAYING THE WREATH
Left to right, J. Raels (RIP), J. Connery (RIP), G. Spillane,
J. Moore (RIP) took the photograph

Religious Banner

From the Cork Examiner 1916 (extract)

“8th Royal Munster Fusiliers, BEF, June 14th, 1916

Dear Miss Doyle,

The beautiful banner, so kindly sent to us by the good people of Limerick, was presented to the Munsters last evening at church parade by our dear chaplain, Rev. J. Rafter, S.J. The banner was greatly admired by all, and we are satisfied that this emblem of the Sacred Heart will bring God’s blessing on our regiment and victory to our arms in this terrible war. The brave boys of Limerick in the regiment send you all the heartiest greetings and ask me to say that Limerick muscle and Limerick brains will yet make the Hun regret his attack (barbarous and furious) on civilisation."

(the banner can be viewed in the local museum in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.)

Some members of the royal Munster Fusiliers Association among the attendance of the Remembrance Day ceremony
in Limerick, Nov. 14, 2010.

THE MEN OF THOMOND

The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association attended a ceremony of remembrance at Saint Marys (Church of Ireland) Cathedral on Sunday Nov 7, 2010. This is an annual event in which many other ex-services associations also attend and is, as the attendances very clearly show, most popular with the congregation. The ceremony was inaugurated in the early 1990s to honour the sacrifice made by the men of Thomond (Gaelic for North Munster) in the Great War (although the ancient walls themselves have more than their fair share of marble memorials honouring the soldiering aristocracy of the nineteenth century). The losses in the Great War were such that, shortly afterwards, a special memorial for that conflict was erected in a prominent place in the church; and to embrace the memory of all the denominations of the area, the organisers titled the memorial ‘In memory of the men of Thomond’.

The ceremony on Nov. 7 of course was never intended to replace the main event at the Limerick War Memorial on Pery Square; rather, it enhances it by its announcement, a precursor, if you will. When the religious service was over, tea and cakes were served to all; a most welcome and hospitable gesture to end a grand occasison.

At St Mary's memorial service.

MASS GRAVE AT FROMELLES

Archaeologists have found what they believe to be a mass grave near the former battle site of Fromelles in north eastern France. The experts believe that as many as 400 troops, mostly Australian, may be buried at the spot.

The battle of Fromelles was intended to draw the Germans away from the Somme area at which point had been raging the major battle from July 1. The action at Fromelles was so badly planned that it badly soured relations between Australian and British Commanders: it was the greatest disaster experienced by Australian forces in the whole war. The total number of Australians killed, injured or captured was 5,533; of the supporting British troops 1,547 were killed.

‘The dig, by Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (Guard), is examining ground near woods where it is believed the Germans buried the dead in pits.’

‘Peter Barton, a WW1 historian involved in the dig, said he hoped to be able to determine the nationality of any remains found. Mr Barton said that after the battle the dead soldier’s personal possessions had been removed by the Germans and eventually returned to their families. Maj Gen O’Brien, of the Australian army, said the “slow and methodical” excavation was important for the whole of Australia. The work is being overseen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and has the consent of the French, British and Australian governments.’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk

It is also possible that there might be among the remains some Royal Munster Fusiliers who may have been posted as “attached”.


	Mr. Michael Lee, centre, with the President and her husband at the recent unveiling of the memorial to the 10th Irish Division at Gallipoli. Mr. Lee is a member of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association.

President McAleese's visit to Gallipoli: On the 24th March 2010, President Mary McAleese visited Gallipoli to commemorate over 3,000 Irish soldiers who died in the British Army in WWI.

The President said she hopes a joint British-Irish commemoration to mark the Gallipoli landings will be possible on the centenary of the engagement in five years' time.

She was speaking during a visit to a cemetery there where many Irish remains lie.

Mrs McAleese fulfilled a number of engagements including a visit to the Turkish monument, a ceremony at the memorial to British and Irish soldiers who died, and a dedication of a commemorative plinth (see photo) at another graveyard.

Speaking at V beach, where many Irish perished in an abortive landing, the President said that those who fell at Gallipoli were doubly disadvantaged; they were shunned at home for having worn the British uniform and their sacrifice was forgotten because they had been associated with defeat.

This was the first official recognition by the State of Irish involvement in the Gallipoli landings.

It is estimated that over 3,000 Irish soldiers died out of a total of 44,000 on the allied side in WWI.

They died over six months in 1915 in a failed attempt by the Allies - whose key members included Britain, France and the Russian Empire - to secure the approaches to Istanbul and the Black Sea.

Some 80,000 Turkish soldiers lost their lives in the campaign.

The visit had been a long time coming for those who have been campaigning for the recognition of the role played by Irish soldiers in the British Army. RTE News

The banners of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association (carried by Mr. Neil Leinster) and Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association (carried by Mr. Seamus Green) along with the banner of the 10th Irish Division were on parade.

Mouse over Images to expand

			"Gallipoli Fallen Remembered in Limerick" article by Major Brian Duffy (Left)
			(Image to Left): Major Duffy, V/President Royal British Legion, Limerick, at the Gallipoli commemoration in Limerick, April 25, 2010. NB:Image is actual size

G. Spillane (2nd. Left) T. Moloney (2nd right), D O'Carrol (right)

The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association commemoration at Limerick on April 25, 2010, in honour of the Irishmen who fell at Gallipoli


The Chairman, front, and the Secretary at the wreath laying.	Gallipoli Day, Limerick, April 25, 2023


	This is the actual area where the Last General Absolution of the 2nd Battalion RMF, (as depicted in Matania's famous painting), took place on May 8, 1915. The sign itself is only a temporary one and it is hoped that, with the help of some friends of the RMFA in France, a permanent sign can be fixed on the spot. The wall enclosed the area where the 2nd Battalion formed up for the ceremony and beyond lay the area of the ensuiing battle of Aubers Ridge.

RE - Proposed erection of memorial for the victims of Iron/Guise

We now have an outline and the dimensions of the proposed memorial for the victims at Iron/Guise, (our members will be familiar with the tragedy, outlined on our website during the months May/June).

The estimated cost of the memorial is €12,000 (excluding bronze plaque), which is considerably more than the anticipated figure of €5,000/6,000. However, it is believed that if an Iron Memorial Fund is set up as a charity and/or public liability company then we should be able to avoid VAT. It is suggested also that if the builders can be persuaded to spend a couple of days installing the monument - rather than making a donation - this would avoid the charge for erection (€3,000), making the total cost more manageable. There is already a bank account opened to receive funds (which will be good for those who wish to pay in sterling). We may need other arrangements for those who wish to donate in Euros: see details below.

The uniqueness of this project requires that we respond in a positive way and I, as your chairman, would urge our members to make some donation. An ad hoc committee has agreed in principle to also make a donation from our funds and it only remains for us to contact the rest of the association committee in the province to decide the amount.

Shot by Germans:
The proposed memorial is dedicated to 5, Munster Fusiliers, 5, Connaught Rangers and 1, 15th (The King’s) Hussars. Also included on the memorial are the French civilians who helped them: Vincent Chalandre, the Logez and Chalandre families and villagers.

IRON MEMORIAL FUND:

Donations by Credit Transfer

Name of Account: Iron Memorial Fund

Bank: HSBC

Bank Sort Code: 40-22-27

Address: 12 Westgate, Guisborough TS14 6BE, United Kingdom

Account No. 01457055

Donations by Cheque

Cheques should be made payable to: ‘Iron Memorial Fund 402227 01457055’ and sent to:

HSBC Bank plc
12 Westgate
Guisborough TS14 6BE
United Kingdom

Electronic Payments

The codes for the above account are

IBAN code GB54MIDL40222701457055
SWIFT code MIDL GB21 32P

Donations for the Iron/Guise Memorial can also be made direct to the secretary (Mr T. Moloney) of the RMFA.

IRON MEMORIAL UNVEILING:

The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association (RMFA) has agreed that early September 2011 would be an appropriate date for the unveiling of the Iron Memorial. This date was suggested to us by Mr Hedley Malloch, organiser of the Memorial Fund, as it is the day following the Somme commemorations and many people will be in the area.

It would give our members who wish to attend a chance to do both the Somme and Iron on the same trip. All three regimental associations, RMFA, Connaught Rangers and Light Dragoons (descendents of the 15th (Kings) Dragoons) have backed the project ‘morally and financially’ and the presence of representatives of these associations would be very important. It is hoped that the organisers will be able to provide a band and possibly some re-enactors for the occasion.

Remember the date - Early September 2011.

Iron Memorial Update (July 2010)

Regimental Colours

1st Munster's:

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