An Cosantóir

8 | CAPTAIN JOHN CHADWICK (RETIRED) J uncle, the local doctor in Templemore. In June 1940, during the Emergency, and with war raging across Europe, 19 year old John jumped onboard a train, along with about 300 others, and headed for Limerick to join the army, which at the time was expanding rapidly, with 200 to 300 men a day enlisting in Sarsfield Barracks alone. Recruit training at that time was very ohn Chadwick was born in 1921 in Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary. Orphaned as an infant, John was raised by his different and after just three weeks basic training John says he was "exalted" to the rank of dispatch rider (DR), where he learned to ride an army motorcycle (a BSA M-20; reg ZD-71). Not long after, he was sent to the CTD, Collins Bks, Cork, for an NCOs course, which he successfully com- pleted and was promoted to corporal. The huge expansion in the size of the motorcycles at the Cav Sch. Health and safety was minimal in those days and there wasn't anything like today's protective gear. John wore his standard officer's uniform, consisting of britches and leggings, Sam Browne belt and Glengarry headdress. In 1949 Lieutenant Chadwick rode on the INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS BY CPL NOEL COSS (B/W PHOTOS FROM HIS OWN COLLECTION) Defence Forces meant that commissioning officers from the ranks became essential and as the young Cpl Chadwick's leadership qualities and man management skills had been noticed by his superiors he was se- lected, with 40 others, for potential officer training in the Curragh. Officer training at the time was between first motorcycle escort of honour, compris- ing a captain, two lieutenants and 32 other- ranks, on the day Ireland was declared a republic by Taoiseach John A Costello. The escort, provided by 4 Motor Squadron, based in the Curragh, escorted President Seán T O'Ceallaigh from Áras an Uachtaráín to the Pro Cathedral, then to a saluting base at the GPO for a march past, and back to the Áras. John still talks with pride of how privileged he feels to have been part of the escort on such a significant day in our country's history. Other escorts that stand out in his mind nine to ten months; very intense but a lot shorter than today. John was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1942 and assigned, on his own request, to the Cavalry Corps. Because of his background, John was sent on a DR instructors course as soon as he arrived at Cavalry Corps HQ, which was then based at McDermott Bks, Curragh, and from 1943 to 1944 he instructed on are those of a number of ambassadors to Áras an Uachtaráin to present their creden- tials to the president. These included Indian Ambassador Krishna Menon, who would later become the prime minister of India. Ambassador escorts comprised one officer and 15 other ranks and John said the escort would often be invited into the Áras after the escort to partake in the hospitalities. One humorous aspect of these escorts He retired as a staff officer in DFHQ after completeing 21 years service on the 1st July 1961. John then went on to have a success- ful career as sales manager and later as a director for A H Massers Ltd, a heavy plant and machinery com- pany. He remained on the strength of 2 Cavalry Squadron with the First Line Reserve up until 30th April 1975. John thinks Capt Chadwick in the Visitors Centre, Cathal Brugha Bks Capt Chadwick & Lt Piggott (2 Cav Sqn) that John recalls fondly, is that new ambas- sadors always presented their credentials on a Wednesday, which coincided with a cattle market on North Circular Road. "We'd be heading down North Circular Road when we'd invariably meet a large herd of cattle being driven along the road to the docks for export," John says, smiling at the memory. "Well let me tell you, it was bad enough trying to ride a very heavy BSA without hav- ing to dodge cattle almost in a stampede: you were lucky if you didn't end up on your backside in the cow s***!" After making captain John worked in the Capt Chadwick on his BSA M-20 An Cosantóir June 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie today's motorcycle escorts of honour "are magnificent in every sense of the word", although he himself never rode a motorcycle since he left the Defence Forces. He is, however, a member of the Veteran & Vintage Car Club of Ireland and is also a very active member of the Cavalry Club, where he loves meeting up with members of the corps, especially recently retired officers. John says he is lucky to still enjoy rela- Lt Chadwick in Service Dress Uniform tively good health and have a family that are very good to him. A photo of his wife, who he married in 1947 when she was just 20 years old, hangs on the wall. Sadly, "the love of his life" as John calls her, passed away 18 years ago. To finish, I asked John if he would change Director of Cavalry's office and then as OiC of Cav Tech Stores in the Curragh, he then moved to 2 Mot Sqn where he served as 2 I/C. anything about his life if he was to live it again. He replied that he would never have left the Defence Forces as it helped shape his life and he loved every minute of his time there. It was great note to finish the interview on.

• Cover