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 >>