An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2018/Jan 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY ARMN JAMIE BARRETT OR AS CREDITED W hen World War I happened in 1914 and ended 1918, one hundred years ago, the then popula- tion of the world witnessed death and destruc- tion on a scale that had never been seen before. With estimates of 65 million men mobilised by all sides during the war where over half were listed as dead, wounded, prisoner or missing-in-action. It is estimated that nearly 210,000 Irishmen served in the British Forces during the war, 70,000 were already enlisted when war broke out, so approx. 140,000 more would enlist during the war as volunteers, as there was no conscription. Most historians accept that there was at least 35,000 Irishmen killed during the war, although it has been claimed that it could be as high as 49,000. According to Eneclann, an award-winning history and heritage company, based in Dublin: "Not all of them gave their home addresses as Ireland, but all fought with Irish regiments or considered themselves to be Irish or their country of birth to be Ireland. Many came from English counties, others from places such as Canada and as far away as India. More than 30,000 declared Ireland to be their place of birth," At 11:11hrs on Sunday 11th of November 2018, the Armistice Day of World War I was celebrated around the world. To mark the centenary of the ending of World War I that oc- curred on the 11th November 1918, a number of events took place around the country including: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Sligo, Kilkenny, Westmeath, Galway and Tipperary and in Northern Ireland in Belfast and Enniskillen. Many members of the Defence Forces took part in these events along with veterans from the Organisation of Na- tional Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Royal British Legion of Ireland (RBL), American Legion in Ireland, and the French Foreign Legion Association of Ireland. Most of the events took place at a war monument dedi- cated to all the Irishmen and women who died during the Great War. While wreaths were laid in their memory, som- bre tunes like the Last Post would be played in their honour. The Defence Forces main involvement took place in Glasnevin Cemetery, where President elect Michael D Hig- gins laid a wreath only hours before his inauguration for his second term in office. The president spoke to all those present, but his words have resonated around the world: President Michael D Higgins in Glasnevin Cemetry flanked by Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, and GOC 2 Bde, Brig Gen Howard Berney.

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