Uncommon Valour by Paul O'Brien Read Free Book Online Page A

Eoin MacNeill’s countermanding order of the previous Sunday had caused many men not to turn out initially, as the week progressed a number of Volunteers came out of their own accord. Due to the cordon of British troops around the city, these Volunteers were unable to join their units. However, they were undeterred and began harassing crown forces by taking up sniping positions, injuring many and delaying the British advance into the city.
    By nightfall, both battalions of the Sherwood Foresters had suffered heavy casualties having engaged Irish Volunteer forces on Northumberland Road and at Mount Street Bridge. Relieved by the South Staffordshire Regiment, the remnants of the Sherwood Foresters made their way to the Royal Dublin Society where they billeted overnight.
    On Wednesday evening, as the battle raged throughout Dublin city, the Volunteers in the South Dublin Union could move freely around the inner courtyard since the British military had ceased firing and had withdrawn their forces from within the complex. However, although the Volunteers did not know it, this was just the calm before the storm.

Chapter 6
    Thursday, 27 April 1916
Morning
    During the night of 26–27 April, the Sherwood Forester Regiment received orders from Brigadier General Lowe to concentrate their forces in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. 30 They were detailed to escort a consignment of ammunition to the headquarters’ building. Lieutenant Colonel Oates would lead the advance guard that consisted of the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters, who would then be followed by the main body of the regiment comprising the 2/7th Sherwood Foresters, Brigade Headquarters, the Royal Engineers and the Army Service Corps. The 2/7th Sherwood Foresters would also throw out a small rearguard.
    The convoy was to follow a route that crossed Leeson Street Bridge, went past Wellington barracks (now Griffith College), and continued along the South Circular Road, across Rialto Bridge and on to the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. Lieutenant Colonel Oates was familiar with the route, as he had been stationed at Wellington barracks for two years when he had served with the Munster Fusiliers.
    On the previous day, Wednesday 26 April, the 2/5th and 2/6th Sherwood Foresters had crossed the Rialto Bridge without incident. British crown forces expected little or no opposition on the journey. Ammunition was issued to the men while the Army Service Corps loaded the wagons. Accompanying Lieutenant Colonel Oates were two veterans of the First World War, Captain ‘Mickey’ Martyn and Lieutenant Colonel Oates’ son, Captain John S. Oates, the officer commanding ‘D’ company. Captain Martyn had fought on the Western Front in actions at ‘Plug Street’ and Neuve Chapelle. Both of these officers had missed the action at Mount Street Bridge, as ‘D’ company of the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters had been held up in Liverpool. They now joined the somewhat depleted ranks of the other companies of the Sherwood Foresters and prepared to move out.
    Thursday morning broke as a calm and beautiful spring morning. From their vantage points within the Union complex, the Volunteers could see people moving freely through the surrounding streets, stopping to chat and going about their daily business. Having procured razors many men took the opportunity to wash and shave. The atmosphere was relaxed as the Volunteers stretched their legs in the small garden to the rear of the Nurses’ Home. Brugha, seated on the floor of that building, dismantled and cleaned his automatic pistol. He carefully reloaded his empty clips. Commandant Ceannt arrived and the two officers assessed the situation. Their entire force now consisted of only forty-one officers and men, as eight of the Volunteers had been killed in action and another twelve were either wounded or taken prisoner. They held the boardroom and the offices over the main entrance as well as the Nurses’ Home (10). Their