Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg Slowenien Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje

Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross Balancing precariously in an open cockpit at 10,000 feet with nothing but a gun to hold on to, flying ace Giles Blennerhassett managed to shoot down eight enemy Albatros D. II fighter planes in just three months. The courageous 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant was awarded the Military Cross for his skill as an F.E.2b aircraft observer, which involved firing a .303 Lewis machine gun on a swivel mount, from an exposed platform at the front of the plane. On one occasion he attacked two hostile aircraft, forcing both to lose control. Giles’ son-in-law Denis O’Neill, 78, from Dublin, said: “He would've been standing on a metal floor, no doubt sliding around in his hob nail boots. Sometimes he would’ve been required to stand on his seat in order to fire the weapon. “The plane was manoeuvring over the battle field up to its maximum altitude of 11,000 feet. He would’ve been thrown all over the place in ‘dog fights’ with other planes. There were no safety belts or parachutes - how he didn’t fall out defies imagination. He was a very brave man.” Giles, from Sligo, was 20-years-old in March, 1916, when he was seconded from the 4th Irish Rifles, where he had fought in the trenches in France, to become an observer with the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. He became a pilot in 1917. The F.E.2b was a two-seater aircraft with the observer sitting in the nose of the plane and the pilot sitting above and behind him. The propeller was behind the pilot, enabling the observer to fire forwards and backwards, over the wing. Giles’ son Brian, 93, who contributed his log book and a series of photos of him in uniform, said: “My father used to mock the F.E.2b pilots and call them ‘taxi drivers’ as the position of the observer at the front of the plane was extremely exposed and he felt he was taking all the risks.” Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk Slovenia Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Brave Ace observer is awarded Military Cross Balancing precariously in an open cockpit at 10,000 feet with nothing but a gun to hold on to, flying ace Giles Blennerhassett managed to shoot down eight enemy Albatros D. II fighter planes in just three months. The courageous 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant was awarded the Military Cross for his skill as an F.E.2b aircraft observer, which involved firing a .303 Lewis machine gun on a swivel mount, from an exposed platform at the front of the plane. On one occasion he attacked two hostile aircraft, forcing both to lose control. Giles’ son-in-law Denis O’Neill, 78, from Dublin, said: “He would've been standing on a metal floor, no doubt sliding around in his hob nail boots. Sometimes he would’ve been required to stand on his seat in order to fire the weapon. “The plane was manoeuvring over the battle field up to its maximum altitude of 11,000 feet. He would’ve been thrown all over the place in ‘dog fights’ with other planes. There were no safety belts or parachutes - how he didn’t fall out defies imagination. He was a very brave man.” Giles, from Sligo, was 20-years-old in March, 1916, when he was seconded from the 4th Irish Rifles, where he had fought in the trenches in France, to become an observer with the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. He became a pilot in 1917. The F.E.2b was a two-seater aircraft with the observer sitting in the nose of the plane and the pilot sitting above and behind him. The propeller was behind the pilot, enabling the observer to fire forwards and backwards, over the wing. Giles’ son Brian, 93, who contributed his log book and a series of photos of him in uniform, said: “My father used to mock the F.E.2b pilots and call them ‘taxi drivers’ as the position of the observer at the front of the plane was extremely exposed and he felt he was taking all the risks.” Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever More than 600 people from across Ireland travelled to Dublin’s WW1 Family History roadshow eager to finally be allowed to tell the story of their loved one’s involvement in the 1914-18 conflict. For almost a century families have declined to talk about relatives who fought in the British Army because of the anti-English feeling generated by the founding of the Irish state. But during the day-long roadshow at the National Library of Ireland, they came with pride, bringing along thousands of items, including early German war helmets, bayonets, war records, cap badges, medals for bravery and trench art to be shared on the Europeana 1914-1918 virtual archive. Queues started forming an hour before doors opened, and by midday, the library’s large entrance hall was a mass of people, chatting, waiting and joining in sing songs with a WW1 re-enactor giving a rousing rendition of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said many of the 300 contributors and their families had set off at dawn to attend the roadshow, with some coming from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their memories. “It’s been a wonderful day - and we’re proud to say it’s attracted three times the number of contributors that attended previous events in the UK, Luxembourg and Germany. “We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated the crowds of people that arrived,” she said. “We had 35 library staff working on this, along with colleagues from Oxford University, Europeana and subject experts - it‘s been an enormous effort. People didn’t seem to mind the wait at peak times, and I saw many actually sharing their memorabilia with others in the queue.” Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people have been very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” Les Newman, who with colleagues from the Irish Great War Society dressed as WW1 soldiers, said: “Today has been so important to people because it has opened the windows and shed light on a period of history most were almost forbidden - or were ostracised - from mentioning. “I believe today was too short and we’d love to have many more events like these.” The roadshow, which has already received widespread media coverage, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event - with the biggest turn out we’ve ever experienced at a roadshow. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Irish turn out in the force to create best WW1 roadshow ever More than 600 people from across Ireland travelled to Dublin’s WW1 Family History roadshow eager to finally be allowed to tell the story of their loved one’s involvement in the 1914-18 conflict. For almost a century families have declined to talk about relatives who fought in the British Army because of the anti-English feeling generated by the founding of the Irish state. But during the day-long roadshow at the National Library of Ireland, they came with pride, bringing along thousands of items, including early German war helmets, bayonets, war records, cap badges, medals for bravery and trench art to be shared on the Europeana 1914-1918 virtual archive. Queues started forming an hour before doors opened, and by midday, the library’s large entrance hall was a mass of people, chatting, waiting and joining in sing songs with a WW1 re-enactor giving a rousing rendition of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said many of the 300 contributors and their families had set off at dawn to attend the roadshow, with some coming from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their memories. “It’s been a wonderful day - and we’re proud to say it’s attracted three times the number of contributors that attended previous events in the UK, Luxembourg and Germany. “We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated the crowds of people that arrived,” she said. “We had 35 library staff working on this, along with colleagues from Oxford University, Europeana and subject experts - it‘s been an enormous effort. People didn’t seem to mind the wait at peak times, and I saw many actually sharing their memorabilia with others in the queue.” Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people have been very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” Les Newman, who with colleagues from the Irish Great War Society dressed as WW1 soldiers, said: “Today has been so important to people because it has opened the windows and shed light on a period of history most were almost forbidden - or were ostracised - from mentioning. “I believe today was too short and we’d love to have many more events like these.” The roadshow, which has already received widespread media coverage, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event - with the biggest turn out we’ve ever experienced at a roadshow. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years Padraig McGinn and his wife Angela travelled over 100 miles from southern Ireland to the Dublin roadshow to tell the story of his father’s involvement in WW1. His dad, Patrick McGinn, was a 16-year-old shop boy when he and his mate took half a day off work to sign up with the British Army. The lads joined the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers in Castlebar on October 12, 1910. Patrick ended up serving in India until war broke out in 1914. “We don’t know much more than that. He fought in the trenches and was wounded, but we don’t know when,” said Padraig, of Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim. “His brother told me he was gassed , but my father never talked about his war experiences - all I remember is that he was very strict. He died in 1957, but  I’d love to know more about him, which is why we are here.” Padraig brought in his father’s discharge certificate, dated December 16, 1919; a brass matchbox cover, possibly made from a shell case, and his WW1 medals, which included the Mons Star. Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Family hopes to uncover mystery of soldier’s war years Padraig McGinn and his wife Angela travelled over 100 miles from southern Ireland to the Dublin roadshow to tell the story of his father’s involvement in WW1. His dad, Patrick McGinn, was a 16-year-old shop boy when he and his mate took half a day off work to sign up with the British Army. The lads joined the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers in Castlebar on October 12, 1910. Patrick ended up serving in India until war broke out in 1914. “We don’t know much more than that. He fought in the trenches and was wounded, but we don’t know when,” said Padraig, of Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim. “His brother told me he was gassed , but my father never talked about his war experiences - all I remember is that he was very strict. He died in 1957, but  I’d love to know more about him, which is why we are here.” Padraig brought in his father’s discharge certificate, dated December 16, 1919; a brass matchbox cover, possibly made from a shell case, and his WW1 medals, which included the Mons Star. Click here to read more news about the Europeana 1914-1918 project and include your own stories! By Jackie Storer .  View  More Stories >>

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’ James Burke always maintained that he owed his life to two things - the metal crucifix he carried in his lapel pocket and a German officer who rescued him from being killed. The 22-year-old private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers was fighting in St Quentin, Northern France, during the last big enemy offensive on March 21, 1918, when he was shot in the chest by a German sniper. The bullet ricocheted off a three-inch long cross he always carried in his tunic, causing a penetrating wound just above his heart. But as he lay there, Private Burke faced further danger. “He was isolated and a German soldier was just going along killing the wounded,” said Don Mullan, a freelance journalist and author who brought in Private Burke’s dented crucifix to the Dublin roadshow. “If the bullet hadn’t hit the cross, it almost certainly would’ve gone through James’ heart. “Luckily a young German officer saw what the soldier was doing, intervened and carried him to a field hospital where his life was saved. James always maintained that he owed his life to his cross and that German officer who showed him a moment of humanity.” Don was left Private Burke‘s artefacts by his son Gary - the Godfather of Don‘s wife Margaret. “Gary was very keen to pass on his father’s WW1 memorabilia to someone who would look after it - so it came to me,” said Don, from Dublin. “Two months before he died in March 2003, I took Gary to the British memorial at St Quentin where his father was wounded. “Gary said when he was a boy in the 1920s and 1930s he was always fascinated by his father’s amazing story. And he would tell me how after his father took a bath he would see the wound and try to link his fingers either side of it.” As well as the dented crucifix, Don brought in Private Burke’s British War and Victory medals, plus a German lapel badge and miniature iron cross. He also had a card sent to James’ mother in June, 1918, informing her that he had been taken prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. He was later released in January, 1919. James went on to become a chief usher at the Deluxe Cinema in Camden Street, Dublin. Following his war experience, he became devoted to the Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux - known as the angel of the trenches - and met and married a girl he met in a city shop, called Teresa. “I think it’s very important that the story and the history of James Burke is recorded,” said Don. “But also, I was blessed to have met his son and daughter, Ethne, who died recently, aged 83, with the cross in her hand. “At her funeral service we gave thanks for the unknown German soldier who saved her father’s life because if he hadn’t done that, then Gary and Then wouldn’t have been born.” Don said James Burke’s story - and especially the moment of humanity shown by the German officer - has inspired him to start the Christmas Truce Project, which commemorates the famous football match between German and British soldiers Messines in Flanders on Christmas Day 1914. The project, which recalls how as the guns fell silent, British soldiers heard the sounds of Christmas carols rising from the German lines, has already started an international Christmas Truce Carol and Folk Festival in Flanders. And there are plans to create a peace field on the site, where young people can gather and play sport. By Jackie Storer

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

‘Soldier’s life was saved by crucifix and enemy’s act of humanity’ James Burke always maintained that he owed his life to two things - the metal crucifix he carried in his lapel pocket and a German officer who rescued him from being killed. The 22-year-old private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers was fighting in St Quentin, Northern France, during the last big enemy offensive on March 21, 1918, when he was shot in the chest by a German sniper. The bullet ricocheted off a three-inch long cross he always carried in his tunic, causing a penetrating wound just above his heart. But as he lay there, Private Burke faced further danger. “He was isolated and a German soldier was just going along killing the wounded,” said Don Mullan, a freelance journalist and author who brought in Private Burke’s dented crucifix to the Dublin roadshow. “If the bullet hadn’t hit the cross, it almost certainly would’ve gone through James’ heart. “Luckily a young German officer saw what the soldier was doing, intervened and carried him to a field hospital where his life was saved. James always maintained that he owed his life to his cross and that German officer who showed him a moment of humanity.” Don was left Private Burke‘s artefacts by his son Gary - the Godfather of Don‘s wife Margaret. “Gary was very keen to pass on his father’s WW1 memorabilia to someone who would look after it - so it came to me,” said Don, from Dublin. “Two months before he died in March 2003, I took Gary to the British memorial at St Quentin where his father was wounded. “Gary said when he was a boy in the 1920s and 1930s he was always fascinated by his father’s amazing story. And he would tell me how after his father took a bath he would see the wound and try to link his fingers either side of it.” As well as the dented crucifix, Don brought in Private Burke’s British War and Victory medals, plus a German lapel badge and miniature iron cross. He also had a card sent to James’ mother in June, 1918, informing her that he had been taken prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. He was later released in January, 1919. James went on to become a chief usher at the Deluxe Cinema in Camden Street, Dublin. Following his war experience, he became devoted to the Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux - known as the angel of the trenches - and met and married a girl he met in a city shop, called Teresa. “I think it’s very important that the story and the history of James Burke is recorded,” said Don. “But also, I was blessed to have met his son and daughter, Ethne, who died recently, aged 83, with the cross in her hand. “At her funeral service we gave thanks for the unknown German soldier who saved her father’s life because if he hadn’t done that, then Gary and Then wouldn’t have been born.” Don said James Burke’s story - and especially the moment of humanity shown by the German officer - has inspired him to start the Christmas Truce Project, which commemorates the famous football match between German and British soldiers Messines in Flanders on Christmas Day 1914. The project, which recalls how as the guns fell silent, British soldiers heard the sounds of Christmas carols rising from the German lines, has already started an international Christmas Truce Carol and Folk Festival in Flanders. And there are plans to create a peace field on the site, where young people can gather and play sport. By Jackie Storer

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line. But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was. Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website. Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life. “I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin. “It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.” Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother. Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off. “I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.” By Jackie Storer

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Concerned soldier says ‘sorry’ to boss from the trenches Laurence Dunne was so worried that his boss would think badly of him for leaving his job as a machinist to go to war - he sent him a letter of apology from the front line. But, scared the missive would fall into enemy hands, he told the manager at Boltons, a building firm in Dublin, that he could not reveal exactly where he was. Carmel O’Brien, 85, brought her uncle’s pencil-written letter in to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, because she wanted it to be saved on the www.europeana1914-1918.eu website. Accompanied by her daughter, Adrienne O’Connell, 51, Mrs O’Brien said she hoped having the note digitised would provide her with answers about her uncle’s short life. “I found this letter in a box with some photos after my brother died - it was the first time I‘d ever seen it,” said Mrs O’Brien, of Dublin. “It says: ‘You must excuse me for taking the liberty of writing this letter…’ He couldn’t see his boss because he’d been sick when he’d gone to war. He writes the letter from the trenches in France, and says: ‘I can’t tell you exactly where I am because it might fall into enemy hands’.” Laurence Dunne was a private in the No. 12 platoon B company, Dublin, and part of the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately, he died in 1935 aged only 39-years-old in the Grange Gorman mental institution in Dublin, following the death of his bride six weeks after they married, and the death of his mother. Adrienne said: “I think my great-uncle was totally shell-shocked by the war, and then to have so much tragedy must have just finished him off. “I’m working on my mother’s side of the family tree, so I’d love to find out more about Laurence.” By Jackie Storer

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening. Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland. Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.” By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems. Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” By Jackie Storer

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past An apprentice merchant seaman whose ship transported goods between the UK and Ireland found himself moving logistical supplies to Northern France during World War One. Daniel Cantwell, from Waterford, was just 18 when the conflict started and his ship SS Batanga was requisitioned to support the war effort. His grandson, John Cantwell, a telephone technician from Dublin, only discovered Daniel’s involvement in the 1914-1918 war when he uncovered a wooden box containing a British War Medal for his service. “I was going through my parents’ things after my mother died when I found his medal, ribbons, photos and letters from the Admiralty,” said John, 53, who brought these items to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, to be digitised. “At the time there were lots of small steam ship companies working around Ireland bringing goods across the Irish Sea and that was his job. I suspect his boat was requisitioned by the Admiralty to support the war effort. “All I have is the remnants, the memories of a time that he spent at war, but I don’t know what he did which is really sad. Everyone has a history and it’s an awful pity that that history isn’t passed on. “It was an unfortunate time in Ireland with independence and the country trying to get rid of the shackles of being part of the Empire and people not being encouraged to talk about it. “You hear a lot about the troops involved in the war, but I didn’t realise how important the merchant navy was in WW1; that there was a medal for them and they were recognised for their service. I hope that by bringing my objects in today I will find out more about my grandad.” John has since discovered that his father’s ship operated between Africa and Liverpool after the war and even delivered an antelope for Liverpool Zoo. The ship was sold in 1934 and moved to Italy where he was decommissioned two years later. By Jackie Storer

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Crowds make Dublin’s WW1 roadshow the biggest yet Dublin’s WW1 Family History Roadshow has been declared the busiest event to date - with more than 100 contributors queuing with their memorabilia in the first hour of the event opening. Many people set off at dawn, from as far afield as Enniskillen, Limerick and Wexford to share their loved ones’ memories from the 1914-1918 war at the National Library of Ireland. Medals, war records, photos, cap badges and a kitbag were among the hoards of items arriving with grandchildren and great-grandchildren eager to keep those memories alive for future generations on www.europeana1914-1918.eu. Katherine McSharry, the library’s head of services, said of the response: “It’s absolutely astonishing. We knew there was a lot of interest from the amount of press coverage we’d had before the event - but we could not have anticipated this number of people arriving.” By 11.30am, the library’s main entrance hall was packed with crowds of chattering people carrying bags full of items and picture frames with regimental emblems. Everett Sharp, a military historian from Oxford University, which leads the digitising and cataloguing part of the project, said: “The Irish people are very keen to tell us about their family history - something they haven’t been able to talk about until recently. “Many of them had relations in British Army, but after the war - because of the Troubles - they weren’t able to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. It was a hidden history and remained so until today.” The event, which has been given widespread coverage by the media, attracted even more reporters from the BBC, RTE, radio and broadsheet newspapers who were keen to talk to the contributors. Jon Purday, senior communications advisor at Europeana, said: “This has been the most amazing event. People are so eager to share their family history and to have that acknowledgement of their involvement in WW1. “We are so grateful to everyone who turned up, even though for many it has involved a wait of some hours before they were seen.” By Jackie Storer

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

A chance discovery unveils grandad’s WW1 past An apprentice merchant seaman whose ship transported goods between the UK and Ireland found himself moving logistical supplies to Northern France during World War One. Daniel Cantwell, from Waterford, was just 18 when the conflict started and his ship SS Batanga was requisitioned to support the war effort. His grandson, John Cantwell, a telephone technician from Dublin, only discovered Daniel’s involvement in the 1914-1918 war when he uncovered a wooden box containing a British War Medal for his service. “I was going through my parents’ things after my mother died when I found his medal, ribbons, photos and letters from the Admiralty,” said John, 53, who brought these items to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, to be digitised. “At the time there were lots of small steam ship companies working around Ireland bringing goods across the Irish Sea and that was his job. I suspect his boat was requisitioned by the Admiralty to support the war effort. “All I have is the remnants, the memories of a time that he spent at war, but I don’t know what he did which is really sad. Everyone has a history and it’s an awful pity that that history isn’t passed on. “It was an unfortunate time in Ireland with independence and the country trying to get rid of the shackles of being part of the Empire and people not being encouraged to talk about it. “You hear a lot about the troops involved in the war, but I didn’t realise how important the merchant navy was in WW1; that there was a medal for them and they were recognised for their service. I hope that by bringing my objects in today I will find out more about my grandad.” John has since discovered that his father’s ship operated between Africa and Liverpool after the war and even delivered an antelope for Liverpool Zoo. The ship was sold in 1934 and moved to Italy where he was decommissioned two years later. By Jackie Storer

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days A British soldier who was left for dead after being shot through both legs on the Somme had his life saved by Allied troops who took shelter in the same trench. John Stafford was just 20 yards from the Germans when he was wounded during the symbolic battle of 1916, which resulted in 420,000 British casualties, including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. His daughter, Joan Almond, 85, told the WW1 roadshow at Preston, that had it not been for Allied soldiers finding her father two days after he was shot, he would have died. “Although at the time he was unconscious, they managed to get him back across ‘death valley’ as they called it, where he was actually seen by medics,” she said. “He was covered with a sheet, having had a label tied to him on which a doctor had written ‘maggots’. “Thankfully medical staff were able to save his most badly injured leg. However, it did end up 3.5 inches shorter than his other one and he had to wear a surgical boot for the rest of his life. “Although he couldn’t return to the frontline after his injuries, he was employed by the Army in a civilian capacity at their records’ office in Fullwood Barracks, Preston.” But the war took its toll on John, said Joan, who brought in a typed copy of her father’s recollection of the conflict. “Dad was a very nice man, a gentle man – a wonderful man,” she said. “But looking back I think the war must have haunted him a lot, especially when you read his account. My mother used to encourage him to write down his experiences and this seemed to have a calming influence. I also remember him always asking us children to read him fairy tales.” During WW2, the Army took over the barracks, causing all civilian personnel to be moved to other record offices. For John this meant working in London through the Blitz, before being moved to Leicester and Edinburgh. “During my early teen years I saw very little of my father,” recalled Joan. “But later he was awarded the MBE for his services – which made us all very proud.” By Jackie Storer

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

Injured Serviceman Saved After Two Painful Days A British soldier who was left for dead after being shot through both legs on the Somme had his life saved by Allied troops who took shelter in the same trench. John Stafford was just 20 yards from the Germans when he was wounded during the symbolic battle of 1916, which resulted in 420,000 British casualties, including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. His daughter, Joan Almond, 85, told the WW1 roadshow at Preston, that had it not been for Allied soldiers finding her father two days after he was shot, he would have died. “Although at the time he was unconscious, they managed to get him back across ‘death valley’ as they called it, where he was actually seen by medics,” she said. “He was covered with a sheet, having had a label tied to him on which a doctor had written ‘maggots’. “Thankfully medical staff were able to save his most badly injured leg. However, it did end up 3.5 inches shorter than his other one and he had to wear a surgical boot for the rest of his life. “Although he couldn’t return to the frontline after his injuries, he was employed by the Army in a civilian capacity at their records’ office in Fullwood Barracks, Preston.” But the war took its toll on John, said Joan, who brought in a typed copy of her father’s recollection of the conflict. “Dad was a very nice man, a gentle man – a wonderful man,” she said. “But looking back I think the war must have haunted him a lot, especially when you read his account. My mother used to encourage him to write down his experiences and this seemed to have a calming influence. I also remember him always asking us children to read him fairy tales.” During WW2, the Army took over the barracks, causing all civilian personnel to be moved to other record offices. For John this meant working in London through the Blitz, before being moved to Leicester and Edinburgh. “During my early teen years I saw very little of my father,” recalled Joan. “But later he was awarded the MBE for his services – which made us all very proud.” By Jackie Storer

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger

Nachdem das Projekt mit großem Erfolg im Jahr 2011 in Deutschland angelaufen ist wird es 2012 auf mindestens fünf europäische Länder ausgeweitet. Kommen Sie zu unseren neuen Aktionstagen: Slowenien, Nova Gorica, France Bevk Bibliothek, 28. March 2012 Dänemark, Schloss Sonderburg, 24. April 2012 Slowenien Mittwoch, 28. März France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Dienstag, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Mittwoch, 23 Mai 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Dänemark Dienstag, 24. April Schloss Sonderburg

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger For most of his adult life, William Rose Townhill’s family assumed he had lost the ring finger on his left hand during a feat of derring-do in the First World War. But almost 100 years after the injury, his grandson Alan Townhill has discovered the real story behind the missing digit. William was a 19-year-old farm labourer when he signed up as a driver and gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 34th Division on April 26, 1915. Apart from a spell in an Australian Field Hospital where his injured finger was amputated, the teenager from Branston, Lincolnshire, survived the war relatively unscathed. Alan, of Lostock Hall, Preston, said: “No-one ever asked my granddad how he lost his finger – we just all thought it was because he’d been hurt in action. It was only when we had a dig through his war records we uncovered the real, quite amusing reason behind it.” From looking through copies of his hospital notes and his logbook, Alan discovered that his granddad was actually injured while going for a smoke during operations in France. “According to the paperwork, my granddad’s pipe was broken and he wanted to have a smoke, so he thought he would fix it with a copper tube,” said Alan. “But as he cut through it, he soon realised he was chopping through a detonator and it exploded, causing him to lose his finger. “Granddad was afraid people would think he was trying to leave the war because it was well-known that some people harmed themselves on purpose, just to get out of combat. All my granddad had tried to do was take a break with his pipe. “After the incident he was arrested and taken to an Australian field hospital where his finger was amputated. He was pretty unlucky because while he was there he caught diphtheria and was away from the front line for a short time. “No evidence was found of his misdemeanour, so he was not charged. But according to his log book, he did have 15 days pay docked – all because he’d wanted to go for a smoke.” Alan and his family revealed their story, along with pictures of William Rose Townhill and copies of his war records at our WW1 Family History Roadshow in the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, on March 10. It is the latest roadshow in a series that is being rolled-out across 10 countries in Europe this year to create a unique pan-European account of WW1 that is available to everyone. The roadshow, which began in Germany last year, and has already visited Luxembourg, is en route to Dublin on March 21, followed by Slovenia, Denmark and Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the coming weeks. By Jackie Storer

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger

After the success of our World War One family history roadshows in Germany last year, we're now set to visit at least five more countries in 2012. Come and join us at: National Library of Ireland 21 March France Bevk Public Library 28 March Sønderborg Castle 24 April Ireland Wednesday, 21 March 1000 - 1900 National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 603 02 00 Slovenia Wednesday, 28 March France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica Tuesday, 19 April 2012, Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces /Vojaški muzej Maribor Wednesday, 23 May 2012 Celje Public Library / Osrednja knjižnica Celje Celje Denmark Tuesday, 24 April 1000 - 1800 Sønderborg Castle Sønderbro 1 6400 Sønderborg Denmark Tel: +45 3373 3396 mch@kulturstyrelsen.dk

War records solve the mystery of soldier’s missing finger For most of his adult life, William Rose Townhill’s family assumed he had lost the ring finger on his left hand during a feat of derring-do in the First World War. But almost 100 years after the injury, his grandson Alan Townhill has discovered the real story behind the missing digit. William was a 19-year-old farm labourer when he signed up as a driver and gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 34th Division on April 26, 1915. Apart from a spell in an Australian Field Hospital where his injured finger was amputated, the teenager from Branston, Lincolnshire, survived the war relatively unscathed. Alan, of Lostock Hall, Preston, said: “No-one ever asked my granddad how he lost his finger – we just all thought it was because he’d been hurt in action. It was only when we had a dig through his war records we uncovered the real, quite amusing reason behind it.” From looking through copies of his hospital notes and his logbook, Alan discovered that his granddad was actually injured while going for a smoke during operations in France. “According to the paperwork, my granddad’s pipe was broken and he wanted to have a smoke, so he thought he would fix it with a copper tube,” said Alan. “But as he cut through it, he soon realised he was chopping through a detonator and it exploded, causing him to lose his finger. “Granddad was afraid people would think he was trying to leave the war because it was well-known that some people harmed themselves on purpose, just to get out of combat. All my granddad had tried to do was take a break with his pipe. “After the incident he was arrested and taken to an Australian field hospital where his finger was amputated. He was pretty unlucky because while he was there he caught diphtheria and was away from the front line for a short time. “No evidence was found of his misdemeanour, so he was not charged. But according to his log book, he did have 15 days pay docked – all because he’d wanted to go for a smoke.” Alan and his family revealed their story, along with pictures of William Rose Townhill and copies of his war records at our WW1 Family History Roadshow in the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, on March 10. It is the latest roadshow in a series that is being rolled-out across 10 countries in Europe this year to create a unique pan-European account of WW1 that is available to everyone. The roadshow, which began in Germany last year, and has already visited Luxembourg, is en route to Dublin on March 21, followed by Slovenia, Denmark and Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the coming weeks. By Jackie Storer