An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | vEtERAn'S nEWS vEtERAn'S nEWS vEtERAn'S nEWS By CPl lEE CoylE No 2 Platoon, AAS - 60th Anniversary Reunion T he 2nd Platoon Army Apprentice School (AAS) Naas, recently held a reunion in Wex- ford town to celebrate 60 years since they walked through the gates of Devoy Bks back on the 8th August 1957. Their committee of Larry Hayes, Paddy McElroy, Paddy O'Reilly, and Eamonn Moore, remember their first day clearly and recanted stories back with fondness and nostalgic memories. They entered the service, some at the tender age of 15, fresh-faced and straight out of school. They were young adults with much to learn about the world and their service gave them the experience to become adults of great calibre, they said "It gave us such a great start in life" with one adding jokingly "We came out much better then we went in." Some of them recalled Devoy Bks as it like being in a boarding school with them laughing, it had a great mix- ture of discipline, learning and fitness. This mix proving to be a great learning environment, with high honours being achieved by all in their respective trades. The Army Apprentice School opened its doors to its first platoon on the 8th October 1956, only a year before. The late Lt Col Michael Begley in consultation with the chief herald designed the Coat of Arms of the Army Apprentice School, with the shield and artwork being done by Eamonn Moore of the 2nd Apprentice Platoon (who later went to teach in IT Carlow). The coat of arms depicted the three main trades taught at the school, which were fitter, electri- cian and woodworker. There were 53 apprentices enlisted with the 2nd Ap- prentice Platoon, they came from all over Ireland with the highest number from Cork, then Kildare and Dublin. They were split into groups of about 17 for each trade. Out of the 53, Larry Hayes and two others went on to be commis- sioned officers in the 1970s, and served over 21 years. Paddy McElroy went on to serve for nearly 45 years and became the first Sgt Major of the Ordnance Corps in Clancy Bks. 2nd Apprentice Platoon pictured in 1957. 2nd Apprentice Platoon on the 28th September 2017. By EAMonn holDEn A fter 50 years, 36 members of no. 12 Platoon, Army Appren- tice School, naas, returned to naas on 6/7th September 2017 from all over Ireland, and one from as far away as Australia, to celebrate their 50th Anniversary Reunion. Celebrations began with everyone meeting up in Lawlor's Hotel on 6th September. The following day Mass was celebrated in Naas Parish Church where deceased platoon members, of- ficers, NCOs and teachers were remem- bered and prayed for, as well as those of us who are sick and unable to attend. In the afternoon the group met up at Kildare Co. Council's Aras Chill Dara offices where Cllr Seamie Moore gave a talk on the historical significance of Devoy Barracks and gave a very informative guided tour of the Council Offices which are built on the site where the school and bar- racks once stood. Prior to the tour group photographs were taken in front of the 'Archway'. Following the tour, refreshments were served. Our special thanks go to Cllr Seamie Moore, Acting County Secretary - Maura McIvor and Aras Chill Dara for their time and hospi- tality. That evening in Lawlor's Hotel guests, Dickey Dawson – Platoon Sergeant, Derek Butler – Teacher of Senior Fitters and Mick Kavanagh – a Platoon Officer, joined the group for dinner. The chatter and celebrations continued into the night. No. 12 Platoon at the 1916 Memorial with Cllr Seamie Moore. School Motto: "Ni Obair in Aisce I" - No Work is Done in Vain No. 12 Platoon in front of the Archway in Naas.

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