An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS by MICHAEL LyONS, SyDNEy Letters from Down Under & Memories of: UN Peacekeeping in Cyprus with the 42nd Irish Bn in 1965 I n November 2014 I had the great pleasure of meet- ing Patrick Medway at Parliament House, Sydney, whilst attending a function to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of Australian Federal Police presence on the island of Cyprus. Patrick was a member of the original contingent of Aussie Police to be deployed to the island and says that he has fond memories and appreciation for the Irish Defence Forces serving on the island at that time. on reflection I believe that my involvement with the Australian Police in 1965 in some way impacted on my decision to emigrate to Australia in 1970. My memories of 50 years ago in Cyprus are very vague. I have little to show except a few photographs and the only mementos I have are my UN service medal and my original blue beret badge, both of which I wear proudly on special occasions. I suppose at 19-years of age the world is very much an adventure. One of the great legacies of military service is the lifetime friend- ships we retain. From our days in Collins Barracks, Cork to Cyprus, London and Australia Johnny Prendergast and I are still friends. Myles Mooney (from the Pat Lynch and the Aircords fame) and Congo veteran is a regular social friend. Two of our younger veterans Stephen Howard and County Laois-man Vester Campion keep us older fel- lows in line. For many years UN Veteran Dessie Kennedy (Mullingar) was very much a friend and part of the social scene in Sydney prior to him returning back to Mullingar some years ago. I would like to thank the Irish military asso- ciations whose web sites keep us informed and connected to the past and future. Special thanks to An Cosantóir, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). I would encourage other Irish ex-service personnel living in Australia to join and support these associations and of course join our own United Irish Ex-Services Associa- tion Australia (UIESAA). It should also be noted that UN personnel who have served in peacekeeping missions are now entitled to full membership of the Australian Returned Service League (RSL). UN Day 2016: Vester Campion, Michael Lyons, Myles Mooney and Paddy Armstrong. Michael Lyons laying UN wreath. Members of the 42nd Inf Bn Cyprus 1965 (Michael Lyons is sitting on the left).

• Cover