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Front Cover
AW139 hovers in Baldonnel, with
ARW members conducting fast
rope training. Photo by: Armn Pat
Reilly (105 Sqn)
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|5
Editorial
H
ello and welcome to our final issue for 2013, it truly was a very successful year. Hopefully your
photo has made it into our On Parade gallery, as we were inundated with them again. In our In
Focus pages we feature the recent Niemba Ambush Anniversary and some members of the DF who
were awarded a National Bravery Award and the recent Naval Service Fleet Review. In Fire! Fire! Fire!
we hear about the first ever combined UNIFIL fire-fighting exercise. In our next feature Lt Cdr Patricia
Butler tells us about the Naval Services International Energy Award. Continuing on in this bumper
issue Lt Col Richard Cummins (Retd) revisits the Air Corps participation in the 2011 Libya Rescue
Mission. Our centre spread is a photographic celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the formation
of Óglaigh na hÉireann. In Strategic Review Comdt Fran O'Grady tells us about Training South Sudan's
Police Force. In History we continue with part two of The Birth of an Army: The Formation of Óglaigh
na hÉireann 1913-1915 and also the 50th Anniversary of Helicopter Operations in Ireland. In our In
Reserve feature by Wesley Bourke, where he visits 28 Inf Bn while conducting Exercise 'Lough Sallagh'.
In Sport Comdt Mark Brownen informs us on the Army Dive Group and where it came from. And
finally we have a small piece on the recent Cork Rebel Week 2013. Plus our other regular features –
World Strategic Picture, Tac-Aide, Gear Review, Noticeboard, Reviews and What I Do.
Note: My apologies to Sgt E Doherty (27 Inf Bn), who should have been accredited for the photographs
in '27 Inf Bn Celebrations' on page 14 last month.
Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald - Editor
Remembrance Sunday
This year, Wexford Town held its first Civic
Ecumenical Remembrance Day Service
with many participants from different
organisations in attendance. Photo by:
Patrick Hogan
On Tuesday 12th November a tree was planted in
Seaford Cemetery, East Sussex for the Irish men who
fought in World War I/II. Other veterans attended from
Canada, the West Indies and the Royal British Legion.
Pictured (L/R) are: Frank McElroy, Martin McKeown and
Edward Bell. Photo by: Róisín McElroy
Elizabeth Mary Collins, an Irish nursing sister who
served in France during World War I and II, was a hero,
not only did she aid injured soldiers during the German
invasion, but she also helped soldiers escape occupied
France. She was awarded the King's Commendation
for brave conduct and the bronze medal of the French
Red Cross. Elizabeth died in Newhaven on 7th June
1952 and was buried in a pauper's grave. Some years
ago the Royal British Legion found out and bought
her plot, giving her a headstone to be remembered.
Now every year a wreath is placed by her graveside
by members of the Irish Defence Forces Veterans UK and the Royal British Legion. This year Mr
James Gough (RBL) and Frank McElroy (IDFVUK) laid the wreath. Photo by Róisín McElroy
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