An Cosantóir

| 17 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE A CONGO STORY A CONGO STORY ARTICLE BY DAN WHELAN POST 11 IUNVA PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DAN WHELAN A chance meeting at a ceremony in the Glencree German Military Cemetery, Co. Wicklow, last year brought together individuals with a shared interest in the Congo, forming the basis of a meaningful relationship that has since developed into ongoing collaboration. The ceremony was attended by the German Ambassador His Excellency Mr David Gill; The British Military Attaché, Lt Col Sean Grant; The American Military Attaché Lt Col Thomas Nolta; Brig Gen Stephen Ryan GOC 2 Bde; Mr Pierrot Muller Ngadi, the WUSME (World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises) Ambassador in Ireland, a Congo Native as well as members of Post 11 of The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). We met at the event to honour the named and unnamed fallen soldiers buried in the graveyard. Thirteen Members of Post 11 IUNVA were guests of the Ambassador. The invite was to myself, a Post 11 Member who co- ordinated our attendance at the event. Following the event, I chatted with Pierrot over coffee and in doing so realised our mutual connection – Kinshasa. My father, the late CS Peter Whelan, Ord Corps DFTC, on his Return from UN Service in the Congo in 1962 with 36 Inf Bn named our family home 'Kinshasa'. Kinshasa, formerly Leopoldville, is not only the capital of The Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also where Pierrot is originally from. I introduced Pierrot to two members of our group in attendance that day, Joe Guidera 36 Inf Bn, and Tossy Sheedy 36 Inf Bn, who had also served in the Congo. Our conversation over the day revolved around the service of young Irish men who left home to carry out duties in a far-away country in the service of peace. This led to an invitation from Pierrot for our Congo members to attend an event in the Roger Casement Summer School in Dun Laoghaire, where one of our members, 'Congo' Joe Mallon as he is fondly known in Army Circles, was also asked to speak. Joe Mallon served two trips to the Congo, with 33 Inf Bn (Aug 1960 – Jan 1961) and 35 Inf Bn ( June 1961 – Dec 1961). Joe was invited to give a small presentation to the invited guests about his journey as a 16 year old forming up on the square in McDonagh Barracks in The Curragh Camp, Co Kildare and his Service as a young soldier in the UN mission to the Congo. He talked about leaving the square in McDonagh Barracks with the packed lunch of 'Bullybeef' sambo's, an orange, a banana and an apple. He was dressed in the old bulls wool military uniform and the 303 weapon of the Defence Forces at the time. After the event our Congo Veterans were asked lots of questions on their Service and posed for photos with the Congolese Delegation that were present. Joe was introduced at the event by the Chairperson on the night, Miss Mamy Nzema Nkoy and Miss Congo Éireann for his Presentation. The Event itself was a great success for us as Members of IUNVA and of course our Congo Veterans. This led to an additional invitation for our Congo/IUNVA Veterans to Africa Day, which Celebrates the African and Filipino Multicultural Society, the Congolese Anti Poverty Network (CAPN) and Honouring our Congo Veterans for UN Service in the Congo 1961 to 1964. In attendance for this event which took place in The DLR Lexicon Library and Cultural Centre Dun Laoghaire, were our chairperson Tony O'Reilly, Pat O'Neill, myself and our Three Congo Veterans – Joe Mallon, Joe Guidera and Tossy Sheedy. At the Event we were entertained by a Native Congo Dancer/Warrior wearing traditional clothing made from Raffia threads as displayed in the image. A mini fashion show of both countries finished the event, with an elegant display of the raffia outfits by models from both countries. At the presentation by Miss Congo Éireann and the Cathaoirleach Mr. Jim O'Leary and Councillor J.P. Durkan, a former Garda who did UN Service in Cyprus. Joe was presented with a Glass Plaque inscribed with the following: CAPN Honouring the Service of our UN Peacekeepers in the Congo 1961-1964 This Event was also a Huge success for us as a small group of Veterans to be Honoured by the Congolese people living in Ireland. We were asked again about Peacekeeping on UN missions across Africa where our Comrades have served. Again another Successful day out for our Congo Veterans. The Three lads won:t mind me saying that they are all over Eighty Years Young and Delighted to talk about their Mission in The Congo. ONUC 1960 1964 IUNVA is about our Veterans and the Stories of UN Service over the Last Seventy Years or So.Also not Forgetting those who Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice and did not Return Home to Family and Loved Ones. Never Forgotten Ar Dheis De go Raibh a Anam .

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