An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VEtERAn'S nEWS VEtERAn'S nEWS VEtERAn'S nEWS By PADDY ARMSTRONG JP The Irish Soldier in Australia I t is a sad fact, particularly for those who remain behind, that Ireland has lost tens of thousands of its sons and daughters to migration, with many to Australia. At the outbreak of the Great War 6,800 Irishmen living in Australia enlisted voluntarily in the Australian Imperial Force; this is almost the equivalent to the strength of seven wartime battalions. Of these, 970 died. Meticulous records kept by the Australian Military Authority show these men, in order of numbers enlisting, came from: Antrim, Dublin, Cork, Down, Tipperary, Derry, Clare and Kerry. One of these volunteers received the Victoria Cross, the highest award 'for gallantry in the face of the enemy'. Pte Martin O'Meara, originally from Tipperary, who served with the 1st Division (Australia), was awarded the VC for his actions in France in 1916. The medal citation states: "Dur- ing the fighting at Pozières, he displayed a total disregard for danger, repeatedly going out into no man's land to rescue wounded men and to carry up ammunition. He did this for four days." Martin died in Australia in 1935. The United Irish Ex-Services Association of Australia (UIESAA) is currently seeking assistance from the Irish Gov- ernment for a monument to be built in Sydney to honour these brave men who fought and died for their adopted country. UIESAA has made many submissions to various authori- ties in Australia on this issue (see uiesaa.wordpress.com for submissions) and is continuing to raise funds for the project. One interesting fact is that on the island of Ire- land there are 25 Australian war graves and 18 Australian war memorials, yet Australia has none for its Irish soldiers. UIESAA are hopeful the Irish Government will assist with their project and will discuss the matter with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Patrick Armstrong, formally of the Royal Ulster Rifles, founded the UIESAA in 2005. It is a strictly non-sectarian, non-profit association, and receives no finance from gov- ernment. Membership is open to any Irishman or woman who served in any Allied military force, reserves, cadets or Territorial Army unit. Although ostensibly an Irish outfit, UIESAA has Australian-born vets who identify with Ireland and the Irish race. The Association marches in Sydney on St Patrick's Day and Anzac Day and currently has 40 members. In the 2017 AN- ZAC parade, UIESAA had the honour of being led by IUNVA member John O'Mahony, a Defence Forces veteran, who was wounded during a UN peacekeeping mission in South Lebanon in 1980. John travelled from Ireland to march on ANZAC Day. Any Irish veteran who would like to make a trip to Sydney on or about 25th April any year can participate and march on ANZAC Day, so please bring your medals, headdress etc. Af- terwards we meet up in the Gaelic Club for refreshments. For more information email paddyarmstrong2015@gmail.com; visit www.uiesaa.wordpress.com; or contact UIESSA at PO Box 137, Darlinghurst, NSW 1300, Australia Pictured centre is Irish Defence Forces Veteran John O'Mahony. UIESAA members at ANZAC Day, Sydney on 25th April 2017. John O'Mahony leads UIESAA members at ANZAC Day, Sydney. Pte Martin O'Meara, VC 16th Battalion. Photo: H12763/ Australian War Memorial

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