The "Troubles" in Ireland, circa 1920's - a few documents.

[leigh kitchen]

A few documents from 3 scrap albums I bought a few years ago. They include a lot of civilian scraps & photos but also some WWI & WWII military photos & include a wartime photo of a member of the family (Stafford Byers) with Tito on the island of Vis & a later photo of an American astronaut - presumably a family friend.

I believe the albums relate to the family of Frank Byers, a Liberal MP of the 50's - 60's, I have'nt checked up on the persons named in them but there are links to America as well as to England & Ireland.

It's sad that these albums came on to the market, there's a lot of information & photos that should be of great interest to descendants ranging from photos of babies, childrens cards through to Frank Byers WWII photo ID as an officer of the British/Indian army.

Here's a 1919 motor vehicle permit to Sir John W Byers, issued by the Royal Irish Constabulary, Belfast District. Also visble is the top half of a ration coupon.

[leigh kitchen]

An "All Night Pass" to Sir J. Byers, Doctor issued 1920 & signed by a Captain Strahan (Strachan?) of the Divisional Staff 1st Division.

Issued by the army?

[leigh kitchen]

A Motor Vehicle Pass issued to Lady Fanny Byers, 1921, by the Office of the District Inspector R I Constabulary Belfast 7 District.

The wartime Defence of the Realm Act has given way to the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations.

[leigh kitchen]

A Curfew Permit issued 1924 to Lady Byers & Messrs F.R. & S Byers - presumably children Frank & Stafford Byers - "and motor car if necessary & required" giving permission to be out between the hours of midnight & 5 am because of an illness in the family. Issued by the Curfew Branch of the Commissionaer's Office RUC Belfast (the Royal Irish Constabulary having by now been renamed the Royal Ulster Constabulary).

[Guest Rick Research]

This is fascinating stuff! My very rural Irish family were way south of the urban troubles or had emigrated here in the Auld Queen's last years, so we missed all this.

I've checked but nothing on Sir John in the 1935 British edition of "Who's Who."

[leigh kitchen]

Ta, I've been too lazy to do anything other than a quick search on the internet a few years ago - I bought the 3 scrap books because I was interested in these documents & the army photo ID etc, but it's such a pity that they're lost to the family.

[Ulsterman]

Excellent docs- I wonder if RR knows he can get an Eire passport with those connections. Useful for traveling these days.