THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The story of William Redmond and John Meeke

Key Stage 3 Learning Resource The Battle of Messines graphic novel has been developed by the Nerve Centre’s Creative Centenaries project which produces innovative resources around events in the Decade of Centenaries.

This is a Key Stage 3 curriculum linked resource looking at the impact of the Battle of Messines on Irish soldiers, through the experiences of William Redmond MP and John Meeke MM.

Developed in partnership with The Public Record Ofce of Northern . Artwork by David Campbell. With thanks to Keith Beattie for historical input. www.creativecentenaries.org

Background image courtesy of PRONI D3835/E/10/7 Further information

VISIT

The Public Record Ofce of Northern Ireland (PRONI) hold a wealth of First World War materials and artefacts, including maps and documents relating to Messines: nidirect.gov.uk/proni

VIDEO

The Somme Museum have produced a new animation detailing the involvement of Irish Divisions during the battle: irishsoldier.org THE BATTLE OF MESSINES ONLINE Visit CCEA’s Understanding 1917 and Beyond website for further resources and The Battle of Messines took place worksheets on the battle: ccea.org.uk

in , almost one year ONLINE on from the beginning of the Somme Campaign. The battle is Read the ‘Brotherhood among Irishmen’ remembered particularly for the article on History Ireland for a detailed role of Nationalist and Unionist analysis of the 36th () and 16th (Irish) soldiers from across Ireland who Divisions before and during the battle: fought alongside each other for the historyireland.com frst time during the First World War.

The strategic importance of Messines meant laying of one million pounds of explosives. that its capture would relieve pressure on 19 mines were detonated at 3.10am on the French forces while also giving British forces morning of June 7, marking the beginning important high ground from where they of the attack. The explosions are considered could continue and capture the Belgian the largest non-nuclear explosions of all time coastline. and were reportedly heard as far away as Men from the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) London. Divisions had sufered signifcant casualties The local divisions began their advance at the Somme and were later moved to and, aided by tanks, Ulster Division soldiers in to await replacements. captured an entire German Battalion Both divisions worked together in building Headquarters. The frst objective of the Blue fortifcations and carrying out raiding parties. Line was overrun in 35 minutes, followed Both sets of men were said to have socialised by the second objective of the Black Line with stories of football matches and shared and fnally the Oosttaverne Line. By the dinners a regular feature. end of the day the Irish and Ulster Divisions Modern warfare techniques were employed had captured their target of Wytschaete in advance of the attack. A ‘creeping while ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand barrage’ was an artillery bombardment Army Corps) forces took control of Messines. that fell just ahead of attacking infantry, the German forces had been suppressed and Royal Flying Corps few overhead to identify the area was now under British control. German positions, machine gun and mortars 2,500 men of the 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) were used to deliver an overhead barrage Divisions were killed or injured at the Battle of and tanks were efectively employed for one Messines. The remaining men of both divisions of the frst times during the confict. The most moved out shortly aferwards to prepare signifcant technique used at the battle was for the Third Battle of , also known as the construction of an elaborate tunnelling Passchendaele. system underneath enemy lines and the Major William Redmond MP William (Willie) Redmond was the First World War and enlisted and later died from his injuries. born in Liverpool, England, himself in February 1915 as Willie’s body remains buried in 1861. He grew up with his part of the 16th (Irish) Division. near a convent in Locre, family in County and He was later afected by the Belgium. became a merchant sailor and and delivered a later a lieutenant in the Royal fnal speech in the House of Irish Regiment. Commons where he pleaded for immediate home rule. He was elected MP for Wexford in 1883 and for Fermanagh He joined the assault on North in 1885 where he became Wytschaete during the Battle motivated to reconcile Ulster of Messines alongside the protestants to home rule. 36th (Ulster) Division. He was wounded, removed from the Willie backed his brother John’s battlefeld by John Meeke support of Irish involvement in

Private John Meeke MM

John Meeke was born in April injured by shrapnel while caring He developed tuberculosis and 1894 and lived in Benvarden for Redmond and was later died on 7th December 1923. His near Ballymoney in County awarded the Military Medal grave remained unmarked until Antrim. Along with his brother (MM). 2004 following a public appeal. Samuel he enlisted with Before the war ended, Meeke the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was badly injured in the leg following the outbreak of war. by an explosive bullet and A member of the 36th (Ulster) underwent a number of painful Division, John was a stretcher operations. bearer during the Battle. He He returned to Benvarden saw Willie Redmond fall shortly afer the war and worked as a afer the battle had begun and gardener, marrying Kathleen made his way to administer Craig in 1922. aid. John Meeke was twice

Produce a Record a news flm about the broadcast from Battle of Messines the battle

Create a short flm examining the tactics of Script and record a radio news broadcast that warfare used before and during the Battle of gives an account of viewpoints from both the 36th Messines. Investigate how tunnels, tanks and (Ulster) and the 16th (Irish) Division at the Battle of aircraf were used to signifcant efect for one of Messines. In a small group, students will assume the the frst times in the war. roles of soldiers from both Divisions and convey the thoughts and feelings that men may have had Students will use flmmaking sofware to combine towards each other and about the battle. images from the battle with text descriptions or a voiceover that conveys their fndings. Students will use audio recording sofware to compile their broadcast and add sound efects. TIP: Search Imperial War Museum’s online image collections for non-commercial images to use in TIP: Search online for free sound efects to use in your flm. your broadcast.

Thinking Skills & Areas of Learning Cross Curricular Skills Key Elements Personal Capabilities

The Arts; English (with Communication; Managing Information; Personal Understanding; Media Education); Using ICT Being Creative; Working Moral Character; Environment & Society With Others Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; Media Awareness