An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | 8 | G eorge Nagle was born in Clon- mel, Co Tipperary, the home of Kickham Barracks where George enlisted in 1963 at the age of 17, joining D Company, 12 Inf Bn. Following the initiative and cour- age displayed during the Congo UN mission, Irish troops were recog- nised as very capable peacekeepers, and in 1964 when conflict erupted between Greek and Turkish Cypriots the Irish government was asked to contribute to a UN peacekeeping force for Cyprus, UNFICYP. George volunteered for the first unit, 40 Inf Bn, and later completed a second tour with 42 Inf Bn in 1965. Following his two successful de- ployments to Cyprus George set his sights on emigrating, and in 1966 he left the Defence Forces and headed for Australia. Australia was very much caught up in the unpopular Vietnam War at this time. Since 1962 it had been involved mainly in an advisory capacity, but, due to the escalat- ing conflict and a request from the United States, Australia increased its commitment, and in 1964 Prime Minister Menzies' government intro- duced compulsory national service for 20-year-old males. Shortly after his arrival in Australia in 1967, George volunteered for the Australian Army and following initial training was sent to Woodside Army Camp in Adelaide, Southern Austra- lia where he served as a member of 5 Platoon, B Company, 9 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. In November 1968 his unit was ordered to duty with 1 ATF, based at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. While on patrol on January 6th 1969 his platoon was suddenly hit by Claymores and small arms fire. Tragically 23-year-old Pte George Nagle was killed instantly by a command-detonated Claymore explosion. Six of his comrades were wounded, with one dying the next day from his wounds. George's body was repatriated to Ireland where he was laid to rest in St Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel. Johnny Prendergast, a former member of the Defence Forces from Co Waterford, now living in Austra- lia, knew George well and served with him in Cyprus. "He was full of life and had an appetite for adven- ture and travel," Johnny says. George certainly lived his dream, travelling from the green fields of Ireland to the sunburnt hills of Cyprus, and from Australia's outback to the jungles of South Vietnam, while serving his native Ireland and his adopted country with courage and pride before making the ulti- mate sacrifice. Rest in peace mate! 'Lest We Forget'. Note: There are memorials to George Nagle in Australia at the Garden of Remembrance, Spring- vale, Melbourne, and the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. By MIChAEl lyoNS, NEWToWN RSl SuB-BRANCh Pte George Nagle George Nagle's grave, St Patrick's Cemetery, Clonmel. © Dr. Jeff Kildea/ Ireland's Military Story George (kneeling) with the Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam, 1968. George (left) and Johnny Prendergast (right), as an Irish Peacekeeper in Cyprus 1964.

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