antaine Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Hello, I'm trying to track down as much information as I can regarding my great-grandfather's participation in the Irish army. I'd like to pin down the date for the following pieces of uniform so I can better make a request for his pension application. He returned to Ireland for a time in the mid-thirties (I believe that's when these date from) to file for something the government was offering to veterans. His claims (and unsubstantiated family history) say he was a veteran of 1916, which may or may not be true, but it seems reasonably certain that he was involved at least from 1918-20. After living in the US from 1920 to sometime in the 1930s, he returned with his family (he married in Nov 1922 and had children in 1923 and 25 in New York) and the intention of staying in Ireland. I do not know precisely when this was, but he returned to the US with a copy of Knocknagow which he received from someone who owned it (and dated it) in 1934. He's in NY for the 1930 US census, began processing paperwork for US naturalization on 31 Mar 1936, applied for a Social Security number in 1937 and finished his naturalization in 1939. In the paperwork, a witness says that he has "lived continuously in the US since 1 Oct 1934," so perhaps it was the early 30s? Perhaps he returned to the US in 34 after receiving the book? Perhaps the witness lied altogether? My grandfather distinctly remembered going back there as young boy and attending school. I do not believe he ever returned to Ireland after that, nor does it seem that he requested a medal in 1941. Anyway, the pieces of uniform are a belt buckle and parade stick. I tried to take close pictures from as many angles as I could. The buckle weighs 1.7 oz and is chrome plated. The parade stick bears two burn marks whose purpose (my grandfather told me) was so the men could tell one stick from another (perhaps meaning that he spent some time in a barracks). I don't know if my great-grandfather formally rejoined the Defense Forces at that time, or if he was issued a uniform for parades, or any other particulars except the anecdotes which I have related. As much information as you can tell me would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you in advance. http://i31.tinypic.com/25a465w.jpg both items http://i27.tinypic.com/359y72w.jpg front of buckle http://i31.tinypic.com/16glqn9.jpg detail of front http://i31.tinypic.com/1071bo1.jpg more buckle http://i32.tinypic.com/2cxexzb.jpg back of buckle http://i29.tinypic.com/2ugm4bc.jpg back of buckle detail http://i29.tinypic.com/10rjtpi.jpg buckle side http://i27.tinypic.com/245ac9h.jpg chrome chip http://i32.tinypic.com/2n71hts.jpg front detail http://i31.tinypic.com/1z5qflx.jpg stick markings http://i26.tinypic.com/5eecmb.jpg stick tip http://i25.tinypic.com/ddcq5i.jpg stick topper http://i26.tinypic.com/rgypl2.jpg stick detail http://i27.tinypic.com/b7xb0n.jpg stick topper metal http://i31.tinypic.com/2q3ubs0.jpg more stick detail (with flash) http://i27.tinypic.com/4rrczr.jpg more stick metal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerardkenny Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) The buckle seems to match the one on this page here; http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com/metal/metal_index.html click on the beltbuckle on the left and on the following page 'General', it seems to be the 2nd one down. Hope this helps. Edited September 17, 2009 by gerardkenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leigh kitchen Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Some info on a belt with the same buckle in this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=37619&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antaine Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Some info on a belt with the same buckle in this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/in...l=&fromsearch=1 hm...it says I don't have permission to view that forum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerardkenny Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) hm...it says I don't have permission to view that forum... I think you may need to be a member for a little while longer for access as it is in the section * Gentleman's Military Interest Club * > Collectors Corner (Restricted Members & Above Only) * > Members Valuation & Identification Forum Here is a link to two of the pictures contained in the thread. I dont own the picture it was posted by a user called 'sniper' just using the same link as was used to show which I hope is ok) Edited September 17, 2009 by gerardkenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antaine Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 that does appear to be the very same (as does the one on the military insignia site). Is there a date for the style or other information contained in that thread that might help me determine when this was part of the uniform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leigh kitchen Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 There is other info on the thread,Kev in Deva' posted: I have the following back so far, with regards the buckle:- QUOTE There's a belt just like that in the museum in Kickham Barracks. I remember it from my time there and we were told it was a bandsman's belt by the person who gave it in. Contact G.H. and he may be able to clarify that. W. Response from G.H. QUOTE Yes there's a belt like that in the museum. If I recall correctly there's a photo of a lad wearing it also. AFAIK it was just part of the uniform in the 40s as opposed to being just part of a bandsman's uniform. But to be honest I'm not 100% sure. G.H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now