An Cosantóir

78 ROGER CASEMENT BRANCH & ONE MONUMENT By Paddy O'Meara Flight-Sgt (Retd.) Deputy Chairman Roger Casement Branch. ROGER CASEMENT BRANCH & ONE MONUMENT In late 1979 it was decided to form a Branch of the O.N.E. which would have close links with the Air Corps and have its base in Casement Aer- odrome. In this way, the Branch through the O.N.E. organisation would provide help and assistance where necessary, to the camp personnel at the time of their discharge. With the kind permission of the GOC Air Corps at the time, the Branch was named 'The Roger Casement Branch' and was permitted to hold meetings in Casement Aerodrome. From that meagre beginning over 40 years ago, the Branch member- ship is now one of the largest in the O.N.E. system and is comprised mainly of former members of the Air Corps. The Branch has won the Best Branch Trophy on two occasions. The success of the Branch stems primarily from the support and activities of the members and the help and co-operation from GOC Air Corps and the personnel in Casement Aerodrome. Apart from the on-going mission of maintaining contact with former colleagues, a number of significant events have been undertaken by the Branch including the following: • The creation of the O.N.E. Memorial Garden with the unique Monu- ment in Casement Aerodrome to the memory of Deceased Air Corps personnel. • A Mass of Commemoration which is held each year in the Garrison Church in Casement Aerodrome. • A Memorial Book containing the inscribed names of the deceased personnel is located in a special cabinet at the rear of the church. • The presentation of a unit flag designed by a member of the Branch to the Apprentice Training School. • A presentation to the GOC Air Corps of a book of the copies of the letters of Roger Casement. • Each week a team of volunteer members attend the Air Corps Museum to provide assistance to the Museum Curator Cpl. Michael Whelan with the maintenance and presentation of the various aircraft and equipment on display. • On 10 occasions between the years 2008-2019, members of the Branch and some friends visited the WW1 battle sites and cemeteries in France and Flanders. A special relationship was developed with the Somme Association of Northern Ireland, who organise the Annual Service of Commemo- ration for the members of the 16th Irish Division and the 36th Ulster Division, who fought and died side by side in the Battle of the Somme. The Memorial Service is held in the village of Guillemont on July 1st each year. The Service is also attended by a senior member of the Irish Government and by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Other diplomatic and military personnel are also in attendance. The Roger Casement Branch in uniform provided a Guard of Honour and the Branch was honoured when its Deputy Chairman was invited to share in the recitation of the Exortation in company with the Senior British Officer on duty, the prayer being recited in both English and Irish at the request of the organisers. The O.N.E. Monument The O.N.E. Monument is located near the main entrance of the Garrison Church in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. It is a prominent edifice dedicated to the memory of the deceased personnel who have served with the Air Corps since is foundation in 1922. In 1987, the Roger Casement Branch of O.N.E. decided to erect an appropriate memorial to deceased former colleagues. Permission for the project was granted by the then GOC Air Corps Brigadier General B. McMahon. In 1989, the then Branch Chairman, the late Jack Lynch and the late Kevin Whelan (Former Sgt, ATC Section), Branch Secretary, spearhead- ed the project. With Trojan work by the committee and the members of the Branch, sufficient funds were raised and so it was decided to proceed with the construction of the monument. Col. Kevin Hogan provided invaluable support to the project, the sculptor Joe Sloan was engaged to provide expert guidance and to design the monument. The granite stone was quarried in the Dublin Mountains. The centre piece of the Monument is in the form of a Roman Cross, The surface area surrounding the Cross and the pathways is covered with Liscannor stone. Four pillars placed equidistant from the centre represent the four Provinces. The general area around the monument is landscaped. On a warm day in 1992, President Mary Robinson unveiled the Me- morial in the presence of a large group which included the national President of O.N.E. Pat Dunleavy, the Chairman of the Roger Casement Branch Jim Conway, the Chief of Staff PDF, Maj General L.Bergin, Brig General P. Cranfield GOC Air Corps, members of the Diplomatic Services, representatives from the Civil Service and local politicians. A large number of present and former members who served with the Air Corps and their families were also in attendance. On every subsequent year on the second Sunday in October following the Roger Casement Branch Annual Mass of Remembrance, a Memo- rial Wreath was laid at the Monument by the Branch Chairman and the GOC Air Corps. (The above article was originally published in the Link Newsletter in January 2008) Each year a number of former Air Corps Apprentice and Direct Entrants Class reunions take place in Casement Aerodrome. After paying respects to their deceased classmates, they usually arrange for a group photograph to be taken in front of the Monument. In recent years the Annual Air Corps Mass of Remembrance has been held in November which is attended by serving members. A wreath is laid by the GOC in memory of all deceased members with full military hon- ours being provided by an Air Corps Guard of Honour. ONE Casement Branch Crest An tUachtaráin Mary Robinson at the unveiling of the ONE Memorial in Baldonnel in 1992. Members of the ONE Roger Casement Branch at the Air Corps Deceased Members mass, 2021 Branch member Paddy O'Meara laying a wreath at the grave of Pte. P Prince on behalf of his relative branch member Mick Prince at Cerisy – Gailly during remembrance ceremonies for the Somme in 2010

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