An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | T his history of the 32 Infantry Battalion was written 57 years ago, and as you can appreciate, had deteriorated in condition due to the poor quality of the paper used and the typewriter of the era. I have spent some time restoring the work with help from the Military Archives. It is now in book form with the intention that the valuable history of our first unit to serve overseas will endure for future generations. The late Colonel Desmond Hassey prompted this publication in its cur- rent format. Colonel Hassey was my Commanding Officer and OC 'B' Coy, 32 Inf Bn in the Congo in 1960. He gave me a copy of the original history of the 32 Inf Bn requesting that I, "do something with it". He was concerned that due to its poor condition i.e. faded print, unbound pages, that it would be lost to posterity. Due to procrastination on my part, the work has only just been completed. It is in book form and the original content has not been altered. On completion of the work the book was presented to the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, along with Col P Flynn Retd, Col George Ker- ton Retd (Chairman of McKee Officers Club) and Capt Bob Seward Retd. The book has been distributed as follows: Military Archives, Military College, UNTSI, Collin's Bks Museum, Cork and a copy to the family of the late Col Murt Buckley, OC 32 Inf Bn. I am indebted to Capt Sean Flynn (Retd) for his encouragement and for giving me relevant photographs. I would like to acknowledge the help and support of the staff of Mil- itary Archives. Who furnished miss- ing pages and some interesting photographs, which were included. I am very grateful to Annemarie O'Donovan who patiently helped me to decipher the writing, and who typed the entire work. Many of those who served in the 32 Inf Bn have gone to their eternal reward. Their memory lives on in those of us who still survive, and who thankfully meet regularly through organisations such as the Organisa- tion of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), and the Irish United Na- tions Veterans Association (IUNVA). Maintaining the very warm bonds of friendship forged in the Congo, as though we are all wrapped in an invis- ible flag. Below is a letter of appreciation from Helen Cuddy, daughter of the late Col Murt Buckley OC 32 Bn, Congo 1960. By CAPt BoB SEWARD (REtD) History of the 32 Inf Bn, ONUC Congo Armn Archie Raeside, photo and videographer with the 32 Inf Bn. Photo: Military Archives

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