Witness Mr. James Grace, 24 Haddington Road, Dublin. Identity

Transcription

1 RONN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MLTARY HSTORY STATEMENT BY WTNESS DOCUMENT No. W.S. 310 Witness Mr. James Grace, 24 Haddington Road, Dublin. dentity Member.R.B. Dublin Company, 3rd Battalion Dublin Brigade 1915; Lieutenant 3rd Battalion Staff Subject (a) National activities ; (b) Easter Week Northumberl Road; (c) mprisonment release. Conditions, if any, stipulated by Witness Nil File No S.624 FormB.S.M.2.

2 STATEMENT BY SEUMAS GRACE, 24 Haddington Road, Dublin. Thirty three years have passed since, battle mount Street Bridge, as sole survivor little b. who held fort outpost NO. 25 Northumberl Road, feel that time is overdue when a tribute should be paid to leader that fight Lieutenant Michael Malone, who fell at his post on April 26, first met Michaelabout 1911 in St Patrick's Branch Gaelic League, Ringsend. He was a fine. well-built young man with good features, serious minded butwith an excellent sense humour, but when occasion strict disciplinarian. arose could be a very About 1912 joined rish Republican Brorhood. Meeting were held about once a month at 41 Parnell square. George rvine was Centre, Circle at which was a member. The..R.B. issued me with a. 22 or. 25 automatic pistol. August n 1913, went to America. was given credentials from Before.R.B. to Clan na Gael in America. n rush to catch Mail Boat unfortunately left credentials at home. remained in America for about one year eight months n went Canada.. joined a Canadian Territorial leaving military Regimentfor purpose getting experience learning use rifle. At end about

3 2. three months some British agents called at my digs made enquiries about me from nature which knew that was a suspect,, having received a letter from D. Balfe rishtown (who Was an.r.b. man, who afterwards. fought in Mendicity nstitution under Seán Heuston, was badly wounded taken prisoner), which said in Gaelic "we waiting for you", decided to are return home immediately. So, leaving my luggage uniform behind in took train that digs bringing with me a long Lee Enfield rifle twenty rounds ammunition night, embarked on 'Carthagenia' at Montreal had rifle under mattress cabin bunk. We were my fourteen days at sea arrived at Clyde in August The bursar vessel attempted to make me give up rifle which a canvas saying should was in case, have declared it embarked. when pushed by him told He him we were within threemile limit no longer under his jurisdiction. t was n very dark Shed was being hled by an old man with a lantern. asked me if He did not notice. rifle. at had anything to declare. Dún arrived said, "no'. Customs train to Holyhead took Laoghaire. On boat were some British soldiers returning, on leave left my among irs. on deck but keeping a watch on it. rifle When disembarked we at Dún Laoghaire in fell near British soldiers. There were some D.M.P. on duty at, Dún Laoghaire in charge nspector Barrett. bluffed through police customs intendedto take train for Westl Row.. down was half platform when two British Military Transport Officers called out to

4 3. me to come back. ran down end jumped on an Outside car arrived. home safely with rifle. That evening, August 1915, reported to rish Volunteer training ground at Camden Row, Row, while sting in ranks a young ficer in Volunteer uniform camedown along line. He stopped said, "s this Seumas Grace?". said, "yes. Am in right Volunteers?". He said, "yes. am Lieutenant Michael Malone". locked at him said, "yes, remember you, Micheál". became a member "C" 3rd Company, Battalion, Dublin Brigade. The ficers at that time were - Eddie Byrne, Captain; Simon Donnelly, Lieutenant; Michael Malone, 2nd Lieutenant. We continued to parade train at Camden Row. After a week had been made section Commer Section which was mostly made up University students No. 4 included among m Arthur Griffith. Our first big parade in Dublin City was on St. Patrick's Day, There were given to underst by 2,000 men present in Dame Street. had been.r.b. my Centre, George rvine, that rising was to take place on that day. On Thursday Holy Week was in charge a detail guarding Headquarters in 2 Dawson Street where first met The O'Hanrahan. My instructions were to defend Headquarters by force arms if necessary. On Saturday Holy Week we were told to carry full equipment three days' for a route march on Easter Sunday to parade at Camden Row at 12 o'clock noon.

5 4. On reporting at Camden Row on Easter Sunday morning we were told parade was cancelled were, given instructions not to leave city as re might be anor immediate mobilisation. was living Micheál Malone on South Circular Road we both went to Holy Communion on Easter Sunday morning. On Easter Monday morning at about 10 o'clock was mobilised for Earlsfort Terrace.. took no breakfast first immediately to departed for point named. was arrive. arrive re a few minutes later Lieutenant Micheál Malone came along. He was first ficer to He told me he had had no breakfast eir. Lieutenant Malone was in with a mauser automatic strapped to his belt. was in uniform also had my long Lee Enfield rifle about fifty ammunition. also had an automatic. ammunitionfor it. pistol 303 rounds 200 rounds Gradually members "C" Company began to arrive.captain Simon Donnelly was in comm as former Captain had resigned. Dick Carroll, "C" Company, Quartermaster, arrived on his motorbike side car in which he had mauser ammunition which he distributed to members Company. Dick Carroll when on a return Journey was pulled from motorcycle his combination in Camden Street by English Officer, Captain Bowen-Colthurst, shot. This was a serious blow to us; as a result it our right flank was left open. Carroll had been detailed with four men to hold

6 5. Parsons shop at corner Haddington Road Baggot Bridge (now occupied by Bank). Street National This house was property Mr Parsons senior, a Ḃen. Clareman, who friendly was to cause now long dead. Later that year he. sold se premises National. Bank to hada large house shop built on similar opposite corner (Mespil Road - Baggot Street Bridge) with a plaque '1916' over door. The Company was below much its full strength when we marched f after 11 o'clock under Captain Simon Donnelly. We travelled by, Upper Mount Street on arrival at Mount Street Bridge Micheál Malone told me to take Lieutenant Paddy Rowe Michael Byrne to junction Haddington Road or NorthumberlRoad cover gates Beggars Bush Barracks. The sent Lieutenant sectioncommer George Reynolds, Jimmy Doyle, Richard Murphy Willie,, to takeover Clanwilliam Rouse. Joe Clarke, Ronan Joe Christian Joseph Doyle (Blackrock) were sent to take Over. Mission Hall, Northumberl Road. Section commer Dinny Donoghue four or five Volunteers were instructed to occupy Schools opposite Mission Hall. While we were covering gates Beggars Bush two men, one elderly or young, approached Barracks us, elderly man him induce tried look at his rifle, had to Rowe to Paddy let bayonet fixed told my man to back. st however, He persisted, advanced a few steps towards Paddy Rowe tried take to rifle from his hs. immediately put bayonet up throat his to told him to back. He put his h in his breast pocket pulled an old bulldog just revolver was going to shoot when pressed bayonet against his throat. The younger man jumped between

7 6. us said, "it's alright, Sergeant, don't shoot my far". afterwards found out this man was member G. Rs., a pro-british territorial organisation which corresponded to Yeos '98. His name was O'Connell was guilty a dereliction duty in not killing him or in disarming G. though mistake him thoughmistake in leniency. heard afterwards that Rs. had instructions to rush disarm rish Volunteers when alone or in small numbers. We went to down towards Beggars Bush Barracks cover. soon As took as garrisons Clanwilliam House, MissionHall schoolhouse were installed, Malone came to me told me were to possession take we 25 Northumberl Road at junction Northumberl Road Haddington Road.. smashed in. yale look with butt my rifle we immediately prepared for a state siege, putting up barricades, filling with vessels water so on. The following Were garrison: - Lieutenant Micheál havingbeen told had sent Rowe, Malone, Paddy house Michael also events to come, this now set in flats, servants away evacuated house Notwithsting fact that is t is practically same noe was n, except that re is now a front entrance to basement. house friendly mselves Early that a afternoon Company G. Rs. approached from direction Ballsbridge. We opened fire on m y scattered retreated. Here a word to who thosefiring condemn for m. The localcompany Rsṁade up from se G. Previous at about re vicinity, numbered about would like to say on Ballsbridge thirty forsome weeks to held parades from Baggot Street rising y 30 each 3. Saturday. There were about thirty in

8 7. Company, about twenty armed with talian rifles ten armed with Lee Enfield rifles, plea has been made that se Yeos were not armed had no ammunition, but that is false. had made it my duty to keep se under observation each Saturday at time named saw m carry arms. ammunition. After we had. fired a couple rounds Lieutenant Malone ordered. us to cease fire so that wounded could be removed. On Easter Monday from that on, most day on Tuesday, we were subjected to persistent sniping, one sniper in particular from a house right opposite giving us a lot trouble. The Lieutenant proceeded to top house he asked me to take right-h room he would go into Left, was to draw fire sniper. very foolishly poked my head up over window sill a shot from sniper knocked cap from my head. The Lieutenant called out, "are you alright, Seumas?". shouted, "yes. He is in right-h. top window house opposite which was No. 28". The Lieutenant fired a few times sniper crashed down, dragging with him window blind. Lieutenant Malone was crack shot 3rd Battalion with mauser automatic in main battle on Wednesday he wrought terrific havoc among enemy with it, at times recklessly exposing himself. About 12 o'clock on Tuesday night Lieutenant called me aside told me we could not hope to win owing to confusion caused by G.H.Q. counterming order, also overwhelming odds against us, failure expected German aid to arrive. He asked me did agree that Paddy Rowe Michael Byrne, who were mere boys, (both were under sixteen) be sent away, that in his opinion y would only be killed if kept on in house. agreed. Lieutenant Malone called two boys told m y were

9 8. to go on despatch work - were a letter each dispatches to Micheál's mor mine. The boys seemed to realise that despatches were only an excuse to getm out danger - y protested y would rar stay. Micheál. said gently but "it's orders, boys, you must firmly, at about go" a.m. So y crept out through skylight over roots, gloomy enough because y had been told that under circumstances were y to come back to No. 25. Lieutenant Malone asked me if was in.r.b. said, "yes". He told me he was not. one Lieutenant Micheál Maloneup to about hour before battle main on Wednesday visited his outposts night day at intervals, each, time braving fire enemy snipers. Micheál me that had reconnoitred Malone told, whole area with Commant De Valera some time previous. to rising. After boys had gone that Micheál looked noticed grey haggard. Neir had us slept since Sunday n he had told me remembered suddenly that that, he had little sleep or rest during Week. took Holy comm bed. set booby traps in ordered him to on stairs kept a lonely vigil, but hall eventually sleep overcame me too. Place, Next day, Wednesday, about noon, two girls, my sister a Miss May Cullen (Cumann na mban) Percy arrived after an adventurous journey with food a dispatch. We could not admit m but dispatch tough took letter, box. t said that English troops had led at Kingstown that 500 m were, advancing on city from Williamstown. "This is it, Michael, said. "Yes", he replied, "this is it". We spoke moving over to

10 9. Carrisbrooke House at corner Northumberl Road. pembroke Road which had. been prematurely evacuated. by 14 men under orders a Blackrock ficer, a vital point covering all advance from Ballsbridge, when luckily Micheál went into. bathroom, windows which was side on looking towards Ballsbridge. He said, "look, house Seumas". One glance was sufficient. We would have to make Our st where we. stood for khaki clad figures were approaching. Micheál opened fire which was on floor. third t Micheál operated practically all from from was window bathroom that this window time - Malone's window still call it. followed suit from anor window on second floor. Here, re British Tommies began to drop. Section Reynolds his men were also operating from commer Clanwilliam House. Tommies The were bewildered. not being able to locate source volleys, ir casualties grew. Soon, however, y had possession almost every house within point blank range With help h grenades y came nearer, was forced from window to window seeking a spot to return ir tire. Do not believe any person who tells you he does not know what fear because Were moments from about 3.30 is, onwards when fire was so intense that could not reply, that trembledheadfoot in panic fear end it from was only when was able to reply to fire that could overcome fear. At about 5 o'clock English troops coveredby terrific fire sent up a bombing party a short time after a Second bombing was made. At about 8.30 anor attack heavy bombing attack was. made Lieutenant called out

11 10. to me to go down take a position on hall floor. up had only just done so when heard movements in room on left someone trying hle door. fired through panels turn. door heard a rush feet away from it. A minutes few afterwards heard crashing glass a door rere with at open some burst leading Steps into back garden, was English troops rushed in. had only just time to reload a fresh with clip. This emptied at m. retreated,for They a moment made a fresh rush was driven down stairs to kitchen heard Lieutenant him rushing down stairs. He evidentlyknew what had happened to when door had been forcedwas coming down myassistance. third rush enemy troops was a y appeared at head as kitchen stairs knelt in doorway There was a crash opened fire. a volley "get him, get above from Micheál Malone died. knew desperate courage came over me. sort heard a few shouting, afterwards it. wasvolley that in that n that was alone some small cellar window re was, an rushed to ficer leading men up steps to front, door. some opened fire ficer dropped down on steps. know wher he do not was dead, or not continued firing at party following him. automatic The under automatic for a in soldier turned on water tap it began to jam with rapid firing now in scullery put cool few minutes to try loaded up fired through chinks a fresh clip shutters kitchen window; whenever saw an English move fired. Just n a bomb was thrown down it.

12 11. exploded kitchen door at my right. There was also at a bomb hurled through little window cellar from which had been, firing. took cover behind a gas stove after that had some room, at English to firing troops in basement. The automatic still kept jamming now again. We had originally arranged to make a final st at top house, having left upstairs, loaded rifles with bayonets fixed, one Lee Enfield two Howth mauser rifles. but forcing, glass-panelled door at end rere hall corridor by enemy separated Micheál myself ruined our plans. About 10 o'clock that night a whistle blew heard a voice shout out, "clear streets for a bayonet charge". now got desperate rushing to basement corridor flung aside, heavy iron garden seat which barricaded door shot back bolts. Just as rere kitchen getting through was door was fired on from stairway on returning fire shot my way out through back escaped over garden wall into Percy Lane, but realised was trapped within enemy lines. About 2.30 on. Thursday morning crept down along Percy through Percy Place. There was a gun mounted Lane on a lorry at corner. learned, afterwards that it was a one pounder naval gun which fired incendiary shells at Clanwilliam House also Shelled Captain Simon Donnelly's position near Gr Canal Bridge. approached as near as could to Bridge with intention Mount Street rejoining. main garrison, but found enemy in House was in flames. possession Bridge Clanwilliam saw some bayonets glisten fired in ir direction.

13 12. The enemy returned fire. had to crawl back in retreat. hadseveralfiring exchangeswhit patrols that night towards morning climbed over a left lay wall on my hidden through daytime. As was uniform had to lie low by day fire at night on patrols. OnSaturday morning about was 8.30 lying under cover in a at rere 60 Road. shed Haddington A servant girl came into opened door out garden shed a way askedher. for a little bread little water. had no bread. in a drink She said y house she would get me water. The servant girl did but not betray, me. learned afterwards that Davis's who occupied No. 60 Haddington sent for Road English. A friend told. me that two ficers mufti were English in Staying in house. She was away thought a rar long time, but finally came back with a glass jug water. left pistol ground on stood up had Just taken a few mouthfuls water when glass window in wood shedwa smashed open three or four rifles levelled in my direction. At same door was time pulled open was covered by English troops with rifles. even did not get time to stoop to, pick up pistol. They Shouted, up". "hs was n ordered out shed a soldier sprang forward drove his bayonet against my chest, but an English ficer in plain clos dashed rifle on one side said, "we want this man a prisoner as we want to keep him for questioning". My hs were tied behind my back. Counted all toger, 25 English soldiers, a Sergeant a Corporal, two English ficers in plain clos two in uniform. was

14 13. brought as a prisoner round to Mission Hall, Northumberl Road, everything including my watch, stolen from me, even my rosary beads. That evening was marched with a large body prisoners all in civilian clos to R.D.S. grounds, Ballsbridge. was locked in a coal cellar three times brought before groups ficers. At se three Courtmartials an enemy ficer in uniform a Colonel a Scots Regiment was intensely bitter urged that should be shot. He said, "we have four batteries artillery here if we got no surrender we shall shell entire city". They asked me what house had occupied. told n No. 25 Northumberl Road. was n asked What had been doing since very foolishly replied, "firing patrols". They n said, "so you on a are sniper. Don't you know you can be shot for that?". They said,. "where are rest your men?". said, " do not know". They n wanted. to know name my leader, said, " cannot give you any information as a prisoner war except my own name, my Company Battalion." was asked my rank name told m was a section commer. They told. me was to be shot at noon on Sunday. asked to see a priest but this was refused. Once a friendly English guard. said to me in a low voice, " wish was away from here, some our fellows shot 30 unarmed, civilians on streéts". At about on Sunday an ficer Royal rish Rifles named eir Hutchinson or Henderson came to me said, " rest your men have surrendered, would you like to be taken to m?". said, "yes". He brought me a tumbler hot black tea some Army biscuits said,

15 14. " am sorry have no milk or sugar for tea". was n brought over to some stables where found Captain Donnelly rest garrison Bols Mills were prisoners, had been four days four nights without food or drink. While we were in Ballsbridge a rumour went round among prisoners that Commant De Valera was to be shot. A fellow prisoner, named James Doyle (since deceased), "C" Company, 3rd Battalion, also an.r.b. man, told me that tall Volunteer whose name cannot remember, fered a to exchange uniformswith. Commant De Valera that Commant refused fer. When we were prisoners in Ballsbridge a few our lads who had. escaped along railway began sniping enemy at night from Symount Avenue direction. The enemy at R.D.S. replied with rifle machine-gun tire. After my release was told a daring Volunteer sniper was killed on ros Herbert Street. He gave enemy a lot trouble refused. to surrender, retiring from, chimney stack to chimney stack, was shot at end house on root near St. Stephen's Church. Anor our snipers used ros Wilton Place near Baggot Street. He escaped. The enemy afterwards fired on some women on Mespil Road from ros this terrace. in Ballsbridge, Bob Cooper, Clarendon Street, Also "C" Company, 3rd Battalion, told me he was in charge three or four men who occupied Messrs. Roberts builders' yard (now Merville Dairy). acted as supports to Clanwilliam House. The English troops used a machine-gun from tower St. Mary's Church,Haddington Road. heard afterwards

16 15. that late Bishop Wall (who was n a Curate at St. Mary's) protested vigorously, English threatened to shoot him. English snipers also used turret Baggot Street Hospital. We were. kept for a few days in Ballsbridge n we were marched to Richmond Barracks. The naval gun was at head or column prisoners. t was still on lorry pointed towards us an enemy Captain in charge this gun said, "if re is any attempt to escape, re will be 400 dead rebels on streets Dublin". Lines troops with fixed bayonets marched on our right left flanks dense crowds lined streets as we marched by. At Thomas Street some civilian onlookers jeered us. do not remember how long we were kept in Richmond Barracks, but Andy McDonnell was a prisoner in room with me. At dawn on a day, which afterwards learned was 3rd May, we were awakened by a volley James Doyle said to me, "y are shooting some prisoners". think it was a few days later we were brought to North Wall having been paraded all day long in a downpour on Square Richmond Barracks. We embarked on board L.M.S. 'Lancastria' were brought to Wakefield Jail, Yorkshire. For some time we were kept in solitary confinement in n we. were allowed visits parcels. After Wakefield about three weeks we were transferred from Wakefield to Frongoch nternment Camp, Bala, North Wales. We had a dreadful rousing on boat twice we thought ship was about to sink. There was water pouring over sides into hold where we were prisoners. The ship was halted for about twenty minutes pumps were kept working. While we were in Frongoch re were several strikes on

17 16. part prisoners. was insulted by an English Sergeant whose name cannot remember, nick-named 'jelly-belly'. He had me taken to guardroom was brought before English ficer comming Frongoch nternment Camp, sentenced to fourteen days solitary confinement because had called Sergeant a liar. said would never do fourteen days went on hunger strike. At end four days' hunger strike Welsh civilian doctor attending prisoners came to me said would be forcibly fed. said, "that will only make matters worse'. He said, "Oh, no, cannot help it, but have my orders". About an hour late for some reason was brought before enemy Colonel again his Adjutant recommended my release. A short time after this re was anor strike called "Ash Pit Strike". The had been compelled Party Prisoners up to this to remove refuse both English guard. prisoners. We decided, to strike against this Volunteers were. called for to lead strike which meant exile to North Camp without parcels, smokes. papers. several or men asked Dick Mulcahy's permission to be among first eight; this was granted to us. When we refused to remove soldiers' refuse we were marched under guard to huts North Camp. Each a fresh day eight men arrived until finally when North Camp huts were filled enemy authorities gave in released us, sending us back to South Camp. Some time after this, it was in summer, we were brought in batches under guard. to appear before Sankey Commission., To my surprise y were able to tell me at this Commission what house occupied during battle in Dublin, also said that had admitted while in Ballsbridge as a prisoner that was a snipers had previously prepared a

18 17. statement which, before leaving Frongoch, had shown to Thomás MacCurtain later Lord Mayor Cork. He said to me, "for God's sake tear that up; do you want to get yourself hanged?". He told me was to say as little as possible to state that when going out on Easter Monday thought was going for a route march. We were kept in Wormwood Scrubbs military detention Barracks, after our examination before tribunal were sent back to Frongoch south Camp. Batches prisoners were dispatched each week until ail were examined n towards end summer releases began until at last only 500 us were left. About this time we were given route marches under armed guard, a man named Owen whose surname forget but he belonged to 4th Battalion, had a set pipes which he played at head column. We had about a dozen se route marches, when for some reason which do not know, marches were stopped. The winter was dreadfully severe with snow ice intense cold. We were detained until Christmas, When releases stopped we came to conclusion that we would be detained for a considerable period. A batch us went each day to railway under escort to collect stores. We discussed amongst ourselves possibility disarming our guard returning to Camp disarm guard re also, take possession train travel to a nearby, town occupying principal buildings re give English a taste ir own medicine; but this did. not materialise as we were released on Christmas Eve, 1916, before plans were completed.. We arrived home in Dublin, free, on Christmas Day when we received a treme ndous welcome by people.

19 18. Shortly after my release from internment stood in Glasnevin Cemetery beside Micheál Malone's grave, which had been opened for purpose identification. had a last glimpse my leader arid comrade in his blood-stained olive green uniform. Micheál. Seán Cullen Bol's Garrison myself fired three volleys over his grave in salute one rel's most faithful sons - a loyal comrade, a gallant leader, a brave fearless soldier Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. SNGNED James Grace DATE 20 Oct 1949 WTNESS Seán Brennan. Comdt.