hen Britain went to war against the South African Limerick at that period had eight electoral republics of the Transvaal areas, or wards, each of which elected five and the Orange Free State councillors, so in all there were forty in October 1899, Ireland was councillors representing a population of still part of the British Empire. So, when about 38,000 people. Britain tried to impose her will on the The war between Britain and the Boer republics, there was a great deal of Transvaal Republic, which was supported sympathy in Ireland for the Boers. Riots in by its neighbour, the Orange Free State, central Dublin created a no-go area for was allegedly over the voting rights of British soldiers on the streets. Posters foreigners, mainly British, in the showing the Boer generals De Wet and Transvaal, but Britain had her eyes on Botha were plastered onto walls and something more lucrative than votes - the lampposts and the flag of the Transvaal gold and diamond mines of the Transvaal. Republic was to be seen in many Irish The war began on October llth, 1899, two villages.' As war clouds gathered over days after President Kruger of the South Africa in the autumn of 1899, the Transvaal had demanded that British newly-elected Limerick City Council, troops pull back from the borders of his known as the Labour Council, led by John country. Between then and December Daly, passed a resolution expressing the 1899, the British suffered a number of hope that the Boers would defeat Britain.2 humiliating setbacks at the hands of the Boers. Three towns were under siege - Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking, and in December 1899, in what was known as 'black week', "the British lost the battles of Stromberg, Magersfontein and Colen~o."~ The Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, came from a farming background and when the war began, they fielded an Emily Hobhouse, daughter of an army of less than 100,000 men. The Boers English archdeacon, drew attention were not a regular army in uniform, but to the conditions in British were made up of commando units. To concentration camps in South Africa. defeat them, the British Army in South Kitchener referred to her as Africa, at one stage 450,000 men, burned 'that bloody woman.' Boer farms, crops and villages. They (Cape Town Archive) divided the countryside into zones with blockhouses and barbed wire fences and Quay. The three men had been at a put Boer women, children and captured shooting gallery in the Potato Market commandos into concentration camps. when an argument had broken out. They When the war ended, 22,000 British were firing at bottles when someone in the soldiers had died, more from diseases crowd said: 'You couldn't do that with the they had caught than from bullets. Just Boers." The assailants gave the excuse over 1,000 of these were Iri~h.~ that the soldiers were drunk and that In Limerick, a few days after the war every time they hit a bottle they said: had begun, four soldiers belonging to the "There's another Boer down and we'd Cheshire Regiment were returning to the do that to Kruger" (President of the Castle Barrack when eight or nine Transvaal). There was also an allegation civilians came out of a laneway off during the court case that the soldiers did Nicholas Street and attacked them. The not pay for one of the shots. On the soldiers took off their belts to defend following night, Sunday, eight people, themselves and then made a dash for the including Michael Canty and Michael Castle Barrack. As they ran through the Charley and his wife, were involved in a street, they were pelted with a barrage of fracas at Watergate. Apparently Canty's Photo and autograph of stones.5 On Saturday night, 22 November son was a reservist and was going to South John Daly in later life 1899, three more soldiers from the Africa the next day. There was a wedding (Limerick Museum) Cheshires were assaulted on Merchants party on and some remarks were passed Certificate of Freedom of Limerick awarded to James F. Egan, swordbearer to Dublin Corporation, 10 May 1901, for refusing to act as swordbearer during the state visit of Queen Victoria (Limerick Museum) about the younger Canty going out to fight but also at LCF branches in Dublin and at and was never to return to his country. He the Boers. A riot erupted on the street, other centres7 died in 1904. with sticks and stones being thrown. The streets of Ennis, CO Clare, were Michael Canty rushed out with, as he put covered with snow and frost on Monday, it, a weapon (a soldering iron) in his hand 12 February 1900, as the men of the Clare to rescue his son. Mr Canty seemed to be In early January, the British forces got Militia, who had been called up for service a bit confused as to where exactly his son another hammering at the battle of in England, gathered in the town. As they was going when he said that his son would Spionkop, a mountainous area in the walked around the streets, groups of them "never be able to walk to the Holy Land" British colony of Natal. After these early came together arm-in-arm, singing and (if he didn't help him). The Charleys defeats, Field Marshal Lord Roberts and shouting and occasionally giving a cheer seemed to have come out the worst in the General Kitchener took command of the for "Old Kruger." The roads were very row: when they appeared in court they had British Army in South Africa and within a slippery and many of the warriors slipped several decorative pieces of sticking few months the Boer capitals, Bloom- and fell on the snow. At around 4.00 pm plaster on their heads.6 fontein in the Orange Free State (in May) they made their way to the barracks and On Edward Street, the Limerick and Pretoria in the Transvaal (in June) quickly got into their uniforms. Some of Clothing Factory was one of the most were captured. Many people thought that the men, ducking their officers, made modern factories in Western Europe for the war was over, but for the Boers, it was their way to a nearby public house. At 5 the making of mens clothing and uniforms just entering into a new phase - they now o'clock, the men were ordered to fall in for the armies of the British Empire. Two saw the hit-and-run tactics of guerrilla and a start was made to get them to the weeks into the war, the company placed warfare as their only hope. To counteract railway station, the route being around the advertisements for extra workers in the this, the British Army adopted a scorched town rather than through it. On the way local newspapers. In early December, a earth policy when they started burning the men were heard giving loud cheers for reporter with the Munster News visited the Boer farms and interning the occupants, "Old Kruger." One volunteer was heard to factory, where nearly 1,000 workers were mainly women and children, in concen- say: "What men to be sending out - if employed, to see the new khakis uniforms tration camps. This led to many deaths Spion Kop was put up in front of us, we being made for the British soldiers in and there was an outcry when the wouldn't hit it." As the men were getting South Africa. He was disappointed to find conditions in the camps were made public onto the train, Mr John McInerney JP, of that the khaki uniforms took up only a knowledge by an Englishwoman, Miss Cratloe and chairman of the Limerick small part of the production line and that Emily Hobhouse. By October 1900, (No.2) District Council, who had taken a production was not confined to Limerick, President Kruger was in exile in Europe few drinks, was heard to shout: "Don't shoot the Boers" and then he called for were hassled when they turned up for three cheers for Kruger.8 As the order was work the next morning wearing Union given for the train to pull out, the officer Jack badges.15 The other girls in the on board gave a cheer for her majesty, factory objected to this slight to their Queen Victoria, which was feebly taken up national feelings. One of them, a Miss be some of the British supporters in the Donnelly, who was wearing a new green crowd. Then, as the train chugged its way dress, tore parts of it into strips, which the out of the station, the men could be heard nimble fingers of her fellow workers cheering repeatedly for Kr~ger.~ fashioned into pretty green badges.16 At As for Mr McInerney, he was pounced finishing time that evening, the three girls upon by the police, the RIC, who were had to be given a police escort to protect* among the crowd at the station. He was them from the hostile crowd that followed, arrested, but then allowed to go home, them home.17 At a meeting of the City and when his case came up for hearing on Council the same evening, Mayor Daly Friday, 2 February, it was adjourned until presiding, a decision was made to offer a later date. congratulations to Mr J.F. Egan, sword- In Limerick on Friday, 3 March, bearer to Dublin Corporation, on his William Murphy, a gunner with the Royal refusal to act as sword-bearer for the Garrison Artillery, was standing at one of Queen's visit. Mr Moran, solicitor, the corners in Upper William Street when proposed that Mr Egan be given the three men, two of whom he knew, the freedom of the city.18 The following day, McMahon brothers, attacked him because Friday, the police came across posters he was a soldier in the British Army. which had been put up around the city in Murphy fell to the ground and received a reference to a proposed excursion of kick in the face, which left him with a Limerick girls who were to take part in the black eye. Some time later on in the ceremonies in Dublin. The message on evening, Privates Walsh and Healy, of the the posters advised the girls "not to allow Cheshire Regiment, were walking towards themselves to be paraded before the the Artillery Barrack in Mulgrave Street Saxon queen and tyrant - England - as when they were approached by the abject slaves and traitors to their country's McMahons, who said they wanted to talk aspirations. The police took immediate to them about the war and the Boers. The action when the posters were placed in soldiers decided to keep going and, as prominent positions on the streets. In they did, they were struck from behind. As Council on Thursday, 23 March, it was their fury, they kicked at or tore the Walsh fell down he had his ear split with a agreed that the mayor, John Daly, should posters to bits so that no one could read kick to his head and he was also kicked in attend a meeting in Dublin which was them.19 On Saturday, thefe was another the ribs. Private Healy was also knocked being held to oppose the presentation of incident when a factory girl named Kate to the ground and fell against the doorway an address to the Queen by Dublin Morrissy, who had also been in Dublin, of a shop, where he was able to take Corporation when she visited Ireland. The was treated in Barrington's Hospital for a refuge. A police constable arrived on the mayor reminded his listeners in city hall slight scalp wound. It appears that she scene and took Walsh to the hospital. "that 12 months ago it was imprisonment arrived at work wearing a red, white and The McMahon brothers were arrested to wear the shamrock and now today it is a blue ribbon, to which her fellow workers and charged at the petty sessions. The royal order, because the government want objected, but she refused to take it off and magistrate, Mr Hickson, made out that the the men to wear the shamrock. Those who was then struck on the head by another row had been caused by pro-Boer feelings have judged the fighting qualities of the girl.z0 and said that there had been other cases men say that, were it not for the skilled In the meantime, the Limerick Leader arising out of the same cause. In a Irish soldiers, the Boers would have reported that it had been asked by leading previous case, he had sentenced a man to driven the English into the sea and they nationalists to open in its columns a six months for singing pro-Boer songs, never would have reached halfway to subscription list for the purpose of buying which he felt were seditious. As a result of Pretoria." "The Queen," he said, "was and presenting a new green dress to Miss intersessions on behalf of the man the asking them to forget the past and come Donnelly. The mayor, it was pointed out, sentence had been reduced to three now to her rescue because the gallant would give the dress to Miss Donnelly on months. "The magistrates," he said, "were stand of the Boers had enlisted the sym- the same night that Mr Egan would determined to protect all those wearing pathies of Germany and other continental receive the freedom of the On 10 the Queen's uniform." He sentenced the countries." "Would," he asked, "the Irish May, Mr and Mrs Egan, accompanied by McMahon brothers to a prison term with people be justified in supporting the brutal Miss Maude Gonne, arrived in Limerick hard 1abour.lO power of England in stealing the two on the 6.45 train from Dublin. They were In the meantime, the country was glorious republics that know how to die met by Mayor Daly and several members getting ready for the state visit of Queen for their land."l3 Mayor Daly did not think of the City Council. A large crowd of Victoria. It seems that the old queen was SO. onlookers had gathered at the station and being sent over on a propaganda visit. Victoria arrived in Dublin on Wednes- when the Egans and Miss Gonne Officially, she came to thank the Irish day, 4 April. In Limerick, the only visible appeared, there was loud cheering. As soldiers for their loyalty and their actions signs of the Queen's imminent arrival was they were driven off to the mayor's in the war. In recognition of their services, the Union Jack, which flew over the prison residence, the cheering became louder.22 it was announced that Victoria had agreed and some other government buildings. At 8.30 that evening in the council to the formation of a prestigious regiment Later that evening, the Post Office Band chamber, the mayor addressed the to be known as the Irish Guards and that came out on parade and played in front of assembled guests. He related how, a few in future Irish regiments would be allowed the police barracks on William Street. years earlier, he and Mr Egan had been to wear the shamrock on St Patrick's When they struck up God Save the Queen manicled prisoners of the British Day.ll The first recruit for the Irish it was met by hisses from the indignant government and now, here, he was giving Guards was James O'Brien, who was from spectators, while a few loyalists among the his old comrade the freedom of the city. Limerick and he enlisted on 21 April, 1900. crowd gave a cheer. The band then He also praised Miss Gonne for her Lord Roberts was made the first colonel of proceeded into the police station.14 contribution to the cause of Irish freedom. the regiment.12 Three girls from the Limerick Clothing Mr Egan, in his reply, thanked the mayor At a meeting of Limerick Borough Factory who had gone to Dublin that day and the corporation for the great honour Rules of Limerick Young Ireland Society, c.1900 (Limerick Museum) that they had bestowed upon him. When the United Irish League, held in Limerick want to be bothered with soldiers. District he had finished, the mayor asked that the in early September, Michael Davitt (a Inspector Hetreed said that he had never order of business be suspended to allow founding member of the Irish Land known of a soldier in Limerick not being Miss Gonne to address the gathering. League in the late 1800s and who had also served a drink because of his uniform. Mr This gave Miss Gonne the opportunity to received the freedom of the city in 1884) O'Donnell, on behalf of the crown, said address the council and the invited guests said that "the Boers would never be that since "the war broke out in South on the conflict in South Africa. Earlier that beaten. They might be scattered by Africa, soldiers had been refused in evening, she had seen the drunken overwhelming force, but they would several towns in Ireland."27 The objection soldiers of the 7th Royal Munster Fusilier, always be ready to strike a blow at was overruled and Mr Coffey got his Militia Regiment, as they made their way England's authority." He was disappointed licence. to the railway station. "Many of these to see so many Irish Catholics serving in Two weeks later, in mid-October, and men," she said, "did not know what they the British Army.25 just before the end of a meeting of the city were doing when they joined the militia An article in the Daily Mail, an English council, Mr Whelan (Dock Ward) reserve. They were (going) to fight newspaper, reported that many people in proposed that a vote of thanks should be against a cause which was true and noble Ireland believed that Charles Stewart sent to the .Queen of Holland thanking her - the independence and liberty of the Parnell and the Boer general, Christian De for her kindness to President Kruger by South African republics. She went on to Wet, were one and the same person. The offering him protection.28 By that time, say that Irishmen in the British Army simple Irish folk, the paper went on to say, Kruger was in Europe looking for help for could "be called upon to fight against their did not believe that Parnell had died and his beleaguered country. Mr O'Brien own motherland, for every Irishman who that he was now leading the struggle (Irishtown Ward) refused to associate raises his hand - with England - against against the British in South Africa.26 himself in any way with the Dutch the South African republics or any other When Michael Coffey, a publican on monarchy, or any royal family for that country, is striking a blow against his own Edward Street, applied to have his licence matter. Councillor O'Brien, from the motherland. They (the people) should renewed on Friday, 28 September, it was Abbey Ward, said that they sympathised watch the recruiting sergeant and reason opposed by Mr P.E. O'Donnell, who was with Kruger but disagreed with presenting with any poor boy whom he might try to acting on behalf of Mr William Leahy, any address to a crowned head of state. enlist. If this was done, it would not be crown solicitor. In the court it was said But the objections were not strong enough very long before there would be no more that Mr Coffey's landlady had refused to and, after a show of hands, the resolution Irishmen wearing the red shame of the serve a soldier of the Yorkshire Light was passed.29 English uniform."23 infantry in March of that year. The Private Manning of the Yorkshire Light Councillor John O'Brien (Irishtown military authorities had reported the Infantry boarded the 4.45 train at Limerick Ward) proposed that Miss Gonne be also matter to Sir Patrick Coll, chief crown on his way to Dublin to begin a months given the freedom of the city in recog- solicitor, who gave instructions that when leave. In his compartment in one of the nition of her advocacy of Irish national the licence came up for renewal, it was to carriages were a clergyman, an off-duty rights and in the sacred cause of liberty. be opposed. The soldier in question, policeman, Constable Kenny, and another He went on to say that Miss Gonne's name L/Cpl. Windpenny, related how he had man, Patrick Hayes. As the train pulled was a household word throughout Ireland. been out for a walk and was on his way out of the station, Pte. Manning and the Mayor Daly, it would appear, had already back to the barracks around 11.00 pm clergyman were engaged in a conversation discussed this proposal with Miss Gonne when he decided to call in for a drink. He about the situation in South Africa. A few because, he said, it was her intention to had asked for a pint of porter, but was miles out the line, Mr Hayes tried to start come especially to Limerick at a later date refused. Then he asked for a bottle of up a conversation, but Pte. Manning told to receive the honour.24At a meeting of lemonade. The landlady said she didn't him he did not wish to discuss the war. In a hostile reaction, Mr Hayes told the be enhancing the value of the freedom by soldier that any Irishman who wore the giving it to Kruger. When the mayor in queen's uniform should be ashamed of reply said "Yes", the majority of the himself. Hayes made a go for Pte. councillors and the crowd joined in to Manning and caught him by the throat. support the mayor. Mr Stokes, still not Constable Kenny, who was getting off at satisfied, pointed out that Kruger would Dromkeen, made no attempt to stop the never be able to exercise the franchise. He argument. In the court case which felt that it was not right that the followed, Constable Kenny told the court corporation should vote the freedom of that when he got off the train he reported the city to Kruger and he proposed to the the matter to the guard on duty in the assembly that the offer be withdrah. train. The guard, Mr Fox, denied that the When Councillor Hayes made it known constable had asked him to stop the train that he also supported Mr Stokes, there at Dromkeen and told the court that he were shouts from the crowd to "put him had come across the two men fighting and out." The mayor, addressing those people had asked the soldier to go to a different who had interrupted, said: "You can not carriage. Mr Hayes got off with a fine for find fault with Mr Stokes. When a man the assault on the soldier.30 stands up and expresses what he feels, On Sunday night, 4 November, at a then we know where we are, better than meeting in their rooms at 55 Thomas pretend friends whom we never know." Street, the Limerick branch of the Young Councillor Whelan then intervened to say Ireland Society announced that Maude that "it was not impossible that Mr Kruger Gonne had consented to give a lecture to could receive the freedom. When the the society during her visit to Limerick to honour was conferred on Mr Gladstone receive the freedom of the city. Miss President Steyn of the Orange (British prime minister in the 1880s) the Gonne had founded a women's organis- Free State mayor and the town clerk went to England ation, known as the Daughters of Erin, (Cape Town Archive) with the roll of honour to get his and a letter from the Daughters was read, signature." When Mayor Daly called for a asking the Limerick Young Irelanders to would be cut out. What was stopping this, show of hands, there were twenty-two for get as many female signatures as possible she said, was that the Irish business and two against. Of course, Mr Stokes was for an address that was to be presented to community was lacking the capacity and right. President Kruger was never able to President Kruger by the Daughters. On a energy to do so. She then referred to the take up the offer.33 proposal from one of the members of the Irish Brigade, which had been fighting for society, the secretaries were instructed to the Boers in the Transvaal. She praised write to Limerick Corporation asking them John McBride, one of the organisers of to confer the freedom of the city on the brigade, and said that he had saved The year 1901 in Limerick began with Kruger. Amidst all this nationalist fervour, Ireland's honour. The English press and strong criticism of the British religious the meeting ended with the singing of God news agencies, all over the world, she journal, The Tablet, and its editor by Save the Queen. At the last meeting of the went on to say, were publishing the fact Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer. The city council for that month, Mayor Daly sixteen thousand Irishmen were fighting journal related a story of how a Boer alluded to the reception given to President in the Transvaal against the Boers and prisoner of war who had surrendered had Kruger in France and how the citizens of liberty. Towards the end of her lecture, been killed by a soldier of an Irish our capital city and also those of Cork she said that the connection between regiment, the Connaught Rangers. What were prevented from extending sympathy Ireland and England was ruinous both had angered the bishop was the fact that a or honour to Kruger or a brave nation in politically and commercially. A govern- religious journal should take such its struggle for liberty because it was ment agent, who was listening to all this, pleasure in publishing such a story. The illegal. Mayor Daly was having none of took notes as she spoke.32 bishop's purpose in writing to the editor that - if any member of the council was The highlight of the visit for Miss was "to undo, as far as one ecclesiastic prepared to hand in a notice of motion that Gonne was on the following evening, may, the scandal which I believe you are the freedom of the city be given to Kruger, when she was awarded the freedom of the giving as the editor of a journal which is he would accept it and hoped that it would city. Out of the forty-strong council, only almost officially Catholic by the savage be passed at the next meeting of the twenty-four members turned up for the and ruthless tone which you have taken council. Councillor Whelan felt that there meeting, but the hallway outside the towards the brave men who are making as was no need to have a notice of motion, council chamber was packed with people. glorious a stand for freedom as the history whereas Councillor O'Brien (Irishtown) Mr James Egan was one of the invited of the world records."34 felt that they should follow the proper guests. The mayor, in announcing to Miss Two weeks later, on 22 January, Queen procedure. With that, Mr Whelan handed Gonne the decision of the corporation to Victoria died. A memorial service was in a notice of motion that the freedom be present her with the freedom of the city, held in Limerick on Saturday, 2 February. given to President Kruger. Councillor remarked that it was a distinction she had Most of the big businesses in the city, Stokes (Market Ward) said that he was earned. Miss Gonne, in her reply, said that the drapery stores, the condensed milk not happy with the notice of motion and the best way for her to thank the mayor factory, the bacon factories, the banks and that he might not be at the next meeting. and those present was to go on working government offices, with the exception of He did not want to fall out with anybody, for the national cause. At the conclusion of the post office, were closed as a mark of but whenever this matter was brought her address, she signed the roll of honour. respect. The Union Jack, in some instances forward, he would oppose it.31 The proceedings then moved on to the fringed with black crepe, floated at half- Maude Gonne arrived in Limerick on question of whether or not President mast from St Mary's Cathedral, the Wednesday, 12 December. Later that Kruger should be conferred with the County Club, the PYMA, and the Limerick evening, at the Athenaeum, she gave a freedom of the city. The mayor said that, Boat Club. While no memorial services lecture on "Ireland and her foreign in giving this honour to Kruger, they were held in the Catholic churches, it was relations." Miss Gonne felt that Ireland would also be honouring President Steyn noticed that many who attended masses should develop her own foreign policy and of the Orange Free State. Mr Stokes, who wore emblems of mourning and in some that Irish manufacturers should send their had originally opposed the motion, now churches in the city, the bells were tolled goods directly to those countries that were wanted to know if they were acting legally during the hours of the memorial services friendly to Ireland, notably Spain and in offering this honour to a man who was which were being held in England at France, then the English middleman at war with this kingdom and would they Windsor. By 12.30 that day, over 300 officers and the Transvaal and the Orange Free State men of the Yorkshire Light Infantry, a the British still continue their atrocities on party of the 17th Lancers and a large the unfortunate Boers and are still burning detachment of the 126th Battery, Royal and looting homesteads and turning Artillery, all in their colourful uniforms, women and children out to starve on the had gathered in St Mary's Cathedral. The veldt" (open countryside). He informed cathedral itself was draped in black as the mayor that he had been told by members of the congregation from the Michael Davitt that there was great city and county arrived for the memorial sympathy in Europe, and especially in service. The band of the YLI was also in France, for the Boers. Mr Lambe had attendance, as well as representatives of contact with the Boers, and they told him fi the RIC. At the end of the service, the that they would fight to the finish or until ,". troops preformed on the cathedral they regained their independence. He grounds, where God Save the King was wished the mayor every success in his played. Finally, the royal colours, which official and public duties.4o had been at half-mast on the tower, were During the summer months there were hoisted to the full. A memorial service was a few cases where soldiers were assaulted. also held at the Methodist church in One incident happened at Loughill, CO Bedford Row (in later years, the Grand Limerick, when a soldier, who was just Central cinema) .35 home from Africa and was having a drink Bishop O'Dwyer was in the news again in his local pub, got into an argument when, in his Lenten pastoral, he made about the war. The soldier, who threw the another reference to the war. "There is first punch, was struck on the face and cut sorrow in many an Irish home," he wrote, when a glass was thrown at him. The "for poor fellows who have fallen on the wound required several stitches.41 In the field of battle, or perished by disease, but city, some soldiers were attacked by a what are these losses, sad and painful as man who had a few drinks taken.42 they are, compared with the immeasur- Postcard of Bishop O'Dwyer The military band of the newly-formed able calamities of every kind - death, (Limerick Museum) regiment of Irish Guards (Mr C.H. Hassell disease, ruin of homes, devastation of was the first bandmaster) arrived in whole countrysides, destruction of the able to keep herself and her children out Limerick on Thursday, 1 August, to, as fruit of generations of labour and industry, of the workhouse. As regards soldiers who one newspaper put it, "a cool reception." which have come as a withering blight and weren't married, the secretary of state Posters had been put up prior to the curse upon the unhappy lands where the regrets that he has no funds at his dis- band's arrival announcing that they would war is waged. The poor Boers are our posal from which allowances can be made play in the Garryowen Athletics grounds. fellow countrymen. They pray to our God. to the mothers of soldiers. Protesters opposed to the visit were not They have not the blessing of our holy At a meeting of the workhouse allowed to put up any notices objecting to faith, and in many respects they are an administrators, the Board of Guardians, the visit of a band who were going to play unattractive people - but they have hearts the reply from the War Office was noted. foreign "tra-la-las" in the historic grounds as we have - and death, and pain, and Alderman Joyce also submitted to the of Garryowen. The "Tommies", who were disease, find in them the capacity to suffer, Board a similar letter which he had supposed to arrive at the railway station at as they do in us. Therefore we can pity received. The chairman now felt that the lunch time, didn't arrive until around 7.30 them, as (we) pity all the victims and relieving officers should not help the pm that evening. There was a large sufferers on both sides of this cruel war."36 wives of soldiers or, for that matter, allow gathering of spectators around the station If the people in South Africa were them into the workhouse or to put them when the musicians arrived and, as the suffering, so were some of the soldiers on outdoor relief. "The letter," he said, band made its way to the Markets Field, wives nearer to home. When the soldiers "states that they are not destitute." One of they were met with cheering for the Boers and reservists were called up for service, the relieving officers who was present and for the Boer general, De Wet. At the the British War Office provided the pointed out that in the case where the Markets Field, a small crowd gathered to families with a separation allowance. Some medical officer ordered relief, they were hear them play. Meanwhile at the Peoples of the wives spent the money on drink and bound to give it. The chairman, in Park, where the Boherbuoy Band was neglected their children,37while others summing up the situation, made it clear playing, and at Lansdowne, where the couldn't manage on it and had to be that the relieving officers should take care Workingmen's Band was giving a recital, admitted to the workhouse, not just in the that they do not give relief to persons in large crowds of men and women were on city but also at the one in Kilmallock. In receipt of an allowance from the War hand to hear selections of "healthy Limerick, the clerk at the workhouse was office.39 national music." The much publicised visit instructed to write to the War Office on It was in late March when a letter of the gold-laced musicians was, as the the situation. In London, Alderman addressed to John Daly arrived in the paper put it, a miserable fizzle.43 Michael Joyce (Dock Ward), who was also town hall in Rutland Street. The letter, An editorial in the Limerick Leader an MP, wrote home to say that he would from Ernest G Lambe of Natal, South condemned the British policy of repres- try to have the matter raised in parliament. Africa, congratulated Mr Daly on his being sion in South Africa, the farm burnings, It was hoped that he would tell the British re-elected as mayor. "Your action," wrote the "refugee" camps, court-martial and government "that having deprived the Mr Lambe, "in presenting the freedom of sentencing to death, in some cases, of women and children of their bread- your city to President Kruger shows captured Boers. The final act of disgrace, winners, it was their duty to see that they plainly the energy with which you have in the Leader's eyes, was the arming and were not reduced to absolute poverty.38 opposed the disgraceful war now raging in employment, by the British, of the native The War Office, in their reply, in- this country." Mr Lambe explained that it blacks to fight the Boers. This, the Leader formed the clerk that the separation was impossible to get any newspapers made out, was a step entirely in violation allowance of soldiers wives and children from Limerick, and the bits of news that of the rules of civilised warfare, and all this who are maintained in Unions (work- he got on Limerick came from The United was done under the command of the houses) cannot be issued to the Unions in Irishman. "I noted with the keenest brutal Kitchener.44 Of course, the Boers, in aid of their maintenance. It is considered satisfaction," he wrote, "your action in what was considered to be a white man's that with the aid of this allowance and ordering the removal of the royal arms war, shot out of hand any armed native the regulated contributions from the from the town hall, and trust to see this blacks that they caught. husband's pay, a soldier's wife should be example followed throughout Ireland. In Field Marshal Lord Roberts returned to a hero's welcome in London on ment. After clashing with Boer forces, November 1900. Queen Victoria bestowed Jameson and his men surrendered. One of an earldom upon him and a grateful the raiders was a British Army officer who parliament voted him a gratuity of later became a general in the British Army £100,000.45When this grant came up for - Sir John Grenfell Maxwell - and was discussion in the House of Commons in made commander-in-chief of British August 1901, Alderman Michael Joyce MP troops in Ireland on 27 April 1916. objected to it. In his speech to the house, Maxwell was imprisoned for a while by the Mr Joyce said: "I would not be doing Boers. None of the raiders was executed justice to my constituency, and I would not for the attempted insurrection." Sh~rtly be doing justice to myself, if I did not after the Rising, a number of the ?ifles oppose this grant, representing, as I do, a captured by the British were found to have city which shall go down in history as an Boer markings.52Maxwell, as we have example of English treachery and bad seen, had been in a similar situation faith; and what England was then - more himself, but now had no compassion for than two centuries ago - she is today - a the captured Irish leaders and had them pirate and a robber. I have no hesitation in executed. John McBride, who had fought calling this enormous sum we are asked to for the Boers, was one of them. vote to Lord Roberts - blood money. It is blood money granted as the price of the REFERENCES bloodshed and misery entailed on South 1. McCracken, D.P.: Forgotten Protest - Africa during this nefarious and unjust war Ireland and the Anglo-Boer War, Ulster on a free people, whose crime is that thev Historical Foundation, Belfast, 2003. have goldmines which you want to rob Michael Joyce MP 2. ibid. them of. The great majority of the Irish 3. McDonagh, Frank: The British Empire, 1815-1914, Hodder & Stroughten, London, nation had condemned this war from the & CO, O'Connell St.47This was not the first 2003. beginning to end - and the end has not yet time that British soldiers had been 4. ibid. come. The government has plunged into charged with such an offence: there had 5. Limerick Leader, 1810-1899 this war in the most reckless manner and been similar incidents on other occasions. 6. ibid., 24-11-1899 carried it on so cruelly that it has not even In March that year, the Limerick branch 7. Munster News, 6-12-1899 the thin veneer of twentieth century of the Young Ireland Society elected 8. Limerick Leader, 262-1900 civilisation to hide its horror. We were Major John McBride to the presidency of 9. ibid., 14-2-1900 asked to vote this large sum to Lord the society. McBride was a veteran of the 10. ibid., 9-3-1900 11. McCracken, up. cit. Roberts, but there was nothing asked for war, having fought with the Irish Brigade 12. Hughes, David R: The early history ofthe the soldiers who fought your battles. Why on the side of the Boers. McBride was Irish Guards, httD://www.irish guards.net/ was the money due to them withheld, and from County Mayo, but was living in Paris IG20. htm why had the maimed and wounded, in at the time. He sent a letter to the society 13. Limerick Leader, 23-3-1900 some cases, to go into the workhouse to thanking them for the honour they had 14. ibid., 6-4-1900 be supported at the expense of the bestowed on him.48 15. ibid. ratepayers when it was proposed to grant The last assault on British soldiers 16. ibid., 2-5-1900 so much to one man? The honourable before the war ended took place on the 17. ibid., 641900 members at the other side of the House afternoon of Sunday, 30 March, at the 18. ibid. are impatient, they do not like to hear the 19. ibid., National Hotel on Bedford Row. Two 20. ibid., 9-4-1900 truth, but I have stood up here to tell them soldiers from an artillery regiment had 21. ibid., 2-5-1900 the truth, and whether they like it or not, become involved in an argument in the 22. ibid., 11-5-1900 they shall hear it. The Irish Nationalist bar of the hotel with a man from Coonagh. 23. ibid., members had no desire to come here at Around 6.15 pm four soldiers from the 24. ibid. all, and if England does not want us, the YLI arrived to have a drink. When they 25. ibid., 3-9-1900 sooner you cut the cable that binds us to entered the bar, the Coonagh man was 26. ibid. you, the better, and leave us to manage heard to remark: "here comes the bloody 27. ibid., 28-9-1900 our own affairs, and we shall do very badly Redcoats." After a few more remarks were 28. ibid., 19-10-1900 indeed if we do not do much better than passed, he left, but returned after a while 29. ibid. 30. ibid., 12-12-1900 while we are tied to you. We wish to be with a group of men. The row restarted 31. ibid., 30-11-1900 allowed to do our own business, and the and then ended up in a general scuffle 32. Munster News, 15-12-1900 sooner you realise that the better. We during which the soldiers were assaulted. 33. ibid. were not sent to this House for any other The soldiers reported the matter to the 34. Limerick Leader, 7-1-1901 purpose than to fight you, and we shall police and shortly afterwards three men 35. ibid., 4-2-1901 fight you and beat you here, as the brave from Coonagh were arrested.49 At their 36. ibid., 1&2-1901 Boers are beating you in South Africa. And subsequent trial at the petty sessions on 37. Munster News, 25-8-1900 now, Sir, in conclusion, I have raised my Friday, 4 April, the three Coonagh men 38. Limerick Leader, 20-2-1901 voice against this grant and, please God, I were given a choice of paying their fines 39. ibid., 20-3-1901 40. ibid., 29-3-1901 shall vote against it too."46 with costs or serving a term of imprison- 41. ibid., 14-61901 me~xt.~O 42. ibid., 2-8-1901 43. ibid. 44. ibid., 7-8-1901 In South Africa, the war was entering its 45. Judd, Denis & Surridge, Keith: The Boer third year. Kitchener had already offered Two months later, on 31 May, the war in War, John Murray, London, 2003 the Boers peace proposals, but negot- South Africa ended when the Boers signed 46. Limerick Leader, 12-8-1901 iations with the Boers had broken down. what is known as the Treaty of Vereenig- 47. ibid., 10-1-1902 Within another few months, Boer resist- ing. But the war still had repercussions, 48. ibid., 263-1902 49. ibid., 31-3-1902 ance would collapse. particularly in Ireland during the 1916 50. ibid., 4-41902 In early January 1902, Private John Rising. In December 1895, Dr Leander 51. Morrissey, Thomas J: Bishop Edward Roberts of the Yorkshire Light Infantry Starr Jarneson, with a force of around 600 Thomas O'Dwyer of Limerick, Four Courts was charged with being drunk and men, led a raid into the Transvaal in an Press, Dublin, 2003 smashing a plate glass window at Cannock attempt to overthrow the Kruger govern- 52. McCracken, up. cit.