An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 47 By SgT WAyNE FITzgERAlD P addy Flavin was born in Waterford City and moved to Tramore where he grew up in the 50/60s. Around 1965 at the age off 15, Paddy left Ireland in search of work and travelled to london. After working in the hospitality trade Paddy returned to Ireland and joined his local FCÁ unit 9th Inf Bn based in Waterford and Kilkenny. Still aged 17, he enlisted in the Defence Forces in 1967 and com- pleted his recruit training in McDonagh Bks, Curragh Camp. he was then posted to the Military College, were he was employed for administration and gen- eral duties in the Cadet and Command and Staff Schools. In 1973 Paddy com- pleted a Military Police course and served between the MP Depot and the Detention Centre, which was a military prison at the time. After 15 years in the MPs Paddy trans- ferred to Area Records, Curragh Comd where he served until his retirement in 1997 after 30-years service. Paddy still has family serving in the Defence Forces; his daughter Martina Flavin is a Medic Sgt in the CMU, and he has other relations and connections still serving. Paddy had served overseas as a peacekeeper on a num- ber of occasions. His first mission was as a rifleman with 19 Inf Gp, UNFICYP from October 1970 to April 1971. Paddy spent 3-months in Camp Wolf Tone in brick buildings and the remaining 3-months under canvas in Kofinou. Paddy has some fond memories of a jumper he bought in Cyprus that was originally made in Ireland and had been quality checked by his future wife Patsy and was handed back to her as a present! Paddy served overseas with the 51st Inf Bn, UNIFIL, Apr- Oct 1982, as a Coy Clerk with HQ Coy. "This was a hairy trip, we had plenty incidents and towards the end of the trip where we lost Comdt Mick Nester in UNTSO in Septem- ber and I had only gone home on Chalk 1 in October when the incident happened on Tibnin Bridge where three Irish soldiers were murdered by one of our own. They were Ptes Burke, Murphy and Morrow, may they rest in peace." Paddy's second visit to Lebanon was with the 65 Inf Bn, UNIFIL in 1989, again as a Coy Clerk this time with B Coy based in Tulin. His duties included checkpoint 6-40 outside the Coy HQ. Paddy remembers that Sgt Charlie Forester died of natural causes on the trip. Paddy served in Lebanon with UNIFIL for a third time with B Coy, 69 Inf Bn, in Hadatha. "This was a great trip, best mission overseas." As well as Coy Clerk, Paddy did checkpoints and OPs and he was a regular DJ on Radio Scorpion, which was run by the Norwegian Contingent. Paddy remembers lots of 'ground hogs' on the 69th were they constantly bom- barded by DFF compounds. In one incident Paddy and some colleagues were stuck inside a SISU APC for several hours, while shelling was taking place around them. In another in- cident his friend was injured with shrapnel from a roadside IED that he now wears around his neck as a souvenir. Paddy was completing his medical for the 71 Inf Bn UNI- FIL, which he didn't pass due to a hearing loss of 80% in his right ear and 37% in his left. This trip will be always known as the one that got away. Paddy has been a member of St Conleth's Branch (Newbridge) of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) since 2013, where he is currently a board member. "ONE's primary objective is to ensure the welfare of ex-service personnel by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required." On the 27th June 2018 the ONE will launch their Fuch- sia Appeal at the Defence Forces Monument at Merrion Square West. The ONE needs to raise approx €600,000 annually to continue running its current facilities for for- mer military personnel, with residential centres provided in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone and Veteran Support Centres in Dundalk and Limerick. For more info: ONE National hQ, Smithfield Market, North King St, Dublin 7. Phone 01 485 0666 - info@one- connect.ie – www.oneconnect.ie Veterans Paddy Flavin, Felix Grant and George Kerton.

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