Of Victory Crosses And Tug Of Wars

Two photographs this week, one of the Ardscull Tug of War team of 1928, the other of a grave in the Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart, Tasmania. The grave is that of members of the Tasmanian branch of the Holland family, a family which had it’s origins here in Athy. I was in Cornelian Bay Cemetery recently to visit the grave of John Vincent Holland, formerly of Athy, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for bravery in the 1914-18 War. I have written previously of Holland and the local Heritage Centre has a display devoted to the man who returned from Argentina to join the British Army in 1914. His gallantry at Guillemont during the Battle of the Somme earned for him a civic reception from Athy U.D.C. and a presentation from members of Kildare County Council. Holland’s grave is but one of the many connections which exist between Ireland and the former Van Diemen’s Land, noted in history for the Irish convicts sent there in the early part of the 19th century.

The second photograph depicts the Moat of Ardscull Tug of War team which defeated the Dublin Metropolitan Police team in the Tailteann Games of 1928. It includes four Dempsey brothers from Kilmead, Paddy, Andy, Mick and Johnny. From left to right at the back the team photograph includes Major Tynan of Monasterevin who trained the team, Willie Owens, Jimmy O’Brien of Nurney, Paddy Dempsey, Peter Hanlon of Booleigh, Andy Dempsey and six foot eight inches tall Joe Beirne whom I believe lived near the Seven Stars. The front row from left has Casey Bell of Kilmead, Paddy O’Brien of Nurney, Tommy Ryan of Ballindrum, Mick Dempsey and Johnny Dempsey.

I have been unable to verify the information given to me about the team’s win in the 1928 Tailteann Games but that year was a triumphant one for Kildare county. The Sam Maguire was presented to that year’s All Ireland champions and the recipient was Squires Gannon, Captain of the Lilywhites. I believe that the Ardscull Tug of War team, like the footballers, wore white jerseys.

I would like to get more background information on the Ardscull team and the men whose photograph was taken 80 years ago.

Abraham Boulder Victoria Cross

My good friend Dick Corrigan of Garrettstown contacted me a few weeks ago with news of what seemed to be a spectacular discovery during a recent FAS sponsored clear up of the old section of Crookstown Cemetery.  Those working on the project had found what was believed to be the forgotten grave of a soldier who during his lifetime was awarded the highest British Military award for courage - The Victoria Cross.  The name mentioned was not recorded in any of the many publications listing the elite band of men and women who had been accorded this award.  Was there a possibility that here in the Griese valley lay one of the truly forgotten heroes of the past whose name had been overlooked by military historians?

I have in the past visited Crookstown Cemetery where Andrew Delaney, a Ballitore man who died of gas poisoning in World War I lies buried, as does Fr. Stafford, former Parish Priest of Crookstown and previously Chaplain in the 1914-18 War.  I had not before seen the headstone for the Victoria Cross winner which was recently rediscovered by the FAS workers.  It transpired that the headstone marked the last resting place of Abraham Boulger who was the first man from Co. Kildare to win the Victoria Cross.

Boulger was born in Kilcullen on a date which has been given as August 1830 in one publication, September 1835 in another while 1827 is the date fixed on by one historian.  All however are agreed that Boulger was born in Kilcullen and that as a young man he enlisted in the 84^th Regiment, an infantry regiment known later as the York and Lancaster Regiment and which is now disbanded.  Boulger served with his Regiment in India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.  He fought in various actions between 12^th July and 25^th September 1857, displaying according to the official citation “distinguished bravery and forwardness as a skirmisher in all twelve actions”. 

The Victoria Cross Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria at the end of the Crimean War in 1856 for “conspicuous bravery ….. in the presence of the enemy”.  Before then the only medals awarded to serving soldiers were for good conduct or long service.  Uniquely the bronze medal is still cast from Russian guns captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War.  It hangs from a crimson ribbon and being the highest award for bravery it takes precedence over all other military medals.

Abraham Boulger was a lance Corporal at the start of the Indian Mutiny but by the time he retired from the Army in 1887 he had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  When he died on 23^rd January 1900 Boulger was residing in the vicinity of the Moat of Ardscull, but exactly where I have yet to find out.  Boulger was buried in Crookstown Cemetery but surprisingly all the publications which mention Boulger and his Victoria Cross refer to his burial at Ballymore in Co. Westmeath.

We can now say with certainty that the first Kildare man to win the Victoria Cross lies in Crookstown Cemetery, but what I wonder was his connection with Ardscull.  I would like to hear from anyone who can help me out in relation to that.

Another County Kildare born Victoria Cross winner was Charles Fitzclarence who unlike Boulger has no known grave.  Fitzclarence who was born in Bishopscourt, Co. Kildare won his Victoria Cross for bravery at the siege of Mafeking during the Boer War.  He was killed during the First World War on 12^th November 1914.  Aged 49 years when he died fighting in the Polygon Wood near Zennebeke in Belgium, his body like that of so many of his comrades was never found and he consequently has no known grave.

Charles Fitzclarence is of interest to Athy readers because his grandmother was Ann de Burgh, daughter of General Sir Ulysses de Burgh of Bert House.  General de Burgh succeeded his cousin William Downes who on his retirement as Lord Chief Justice in 1822 was created Baron Downes.  Given that this year marks the 200^th anniversary of the Emmet Rising it is interesting to note that William Downes succeeded Lord Kilwarden as Lord Chief Justice following Kilwarden’s assassination by a mob in Thomas Street, Dublin on the first night of Robert Emmet’s Rebellion.  General de Burgh became the 2^nd Lord Downes in 1826 and he continued to live in Bert House until he died in 1864.  He had two daughters, the earlier mentioned Ann who married the Earl of Clonmel and whose grandson Charles Fitzclarence was to win the Victoria Cross and Charlotte who married James Colburne who in 1863 became Lord Seaton.  This was the same Lord Seaton who on coming to live in Bert House in 1863 unwittingly found himself the centre of a local controversy.  Apparently some local traders in Athy, anxious to show their loyalty to “King and Country” got up an address of welcome to Lord Seaton which was duly presented amidst much fuss and publicity but before a number of other traders and public figures had an opportunity to append their signatures.  The result was letters of protest to the local newspaper about the address being touted by the local town commissioners “for selected people to sign”.  The controversy was immortalised in the Ballad entitled “The Travels and Sad Fate of a Celebrated Address” which opened with the following lines.

            “Oh where, and O where is our famed bland Address gone?

Oh ‘tis gone around Athy, in John Robert’s care to roam,

And it’s O is my heart I do wish it safe at home.

It’s gone up to the Shruleen, and along by Beggar’s End,

And in among the paupers - ev’ry where we have a friend;

It’s gone down Preston’s Gate, and around by Meeting-lane,

And surely in Rathstewart we for names sha’n’t seek in vain.”

Abraham Boulger’s headstone records family details which might prompt some of my readers to recall details in relation to the Boulger family.  Abraham’s wife was Mary who died on 2^nd January 1945, aged 80 years.  His daughter Alice Ellen Boulger died aged 20 years on 17^th April 1917 and his second daughter Agnes died on 11^th August 1970.  His son William A. Boulger died on 20^th August 1981.  I don’t have any information as to where any members of the family were living but I would welcome hearing from any of my readers who can give me any information in relation to the Boulger family.  Abraham Boulger’s Victoria Cross Medal is on display in the York and Lancaster Regiment Museum in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.