As previously published in An Cosantóir in December 2013/January 2014 issue.
By Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald – Photos by Sgt Mick Burke
On 8th November 1960, the biggest loss of life of Irish soldiers in any single incident overseas happened in the Belgian Congo. This heartbreaking and significant moment in the history of the Defence Forces took place while these troops were serving as UN peacekeepers with 33 Inf Bn as part of the Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC).
Erecting the Niemba memorial in the Congo, 1961.
On that fateful day Lt Kevin Gleeson took his 11-man patrol over a bridge on the Luweyeye River near the town of Niemba where Baluba tribesmen ambushed them. After a courageous fight against overwhelming numbers, nine of the patrol were killed. One member of the patrol, 20-year-old Tpr Anthony Browne from Rialto, Dublin, survived the initial attack but was subsequently killed. His body was not found until November 1962. Tpr Browne was also posthumously awarded the first ever An Bonn Míleata Calmachta (Military Medal for Gallantry), the Defence Forces highest military honour, for his conduct during the ambush.
His citation reads:
“He endeavoured to create an opportunity to allow an injured comrade to escape by firing his Gustaf, thereby drawing attention to his own position, which he must have been aware would endanger his life. He had a reasonable opportunity to escape because he was not wounded but chose to remain with an injured comrade.”
Those that lost their lives were: Lt Kevin Gleeson (30), Sgt Hugh Gaynor (29), Cpl Peter Kelly (25), Cpl Liam Dougan (34), Pte Matthew Farrell (22), Tpr Thomas Fennell (18), Tpr Anthony Browne MMG (20), Pte Michael McGuinn (21) and Pte Gerard Killeen (27).
Two members of the patrol survived, Pte Joseph Fitzpatrick (then 21) and Pte Thomas Kenny (then 24).
Members of ONE and IUNVA
On 10th November 1960, in a follow-up operation to recover remains, Pte Patrick Davis died after he was shot accidentally. He was laid to rest with his colleagues from the ambush. From 1960 to 1964, 12 Defence Forces units with almost 6,200 troops, served with ONUC. In those four years 26 Irish troops paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace.
On Saturday 9th November 2013, the 53rd Niemba Commemoration took place in the Garrison Church, Cathal Brugha Bks, with a Mass at 1200 hrs followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Garden outside the church.
Niemba Memorial in Cathal Brugha Bks
The annual ceremony is organised by the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONEt) on the first Saturday in November. The veterans of ONEt and IUNVA provided a guard of honour and the ‘Last Post’ was played by members of the Army No 1 Band. This was followed by a minute’s silence, ‘Reveille’ and then the national anthem as the national flag was raised to full mast.
Wreaths were laid by Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Pat McCartan; Chief of Staff Lt Gen Conor O’Boyle; Secretary General of the DoD Maurice Quinn; ONEt President John Hennessey; the UK Ambassador HE Dominick Chillcot; US Defence Attaché Lt Col Sean Cosden; Dan Garland of IUNVA; Lt Col Joe Aherne (retd) of ARCO; Brig Gen Jerry Enright (retd) of 33 Inf Bn; Comdt Earnan O’Naughton of RACO; Mark Scally of PDFORRA; Comdt Eugene Gargan of RDFRA; Declan Pendred of the Irish Naval Association; Noel Cullen of the Royal British Legion; and Martin Coyne ONEt (on behalf of the American Legion in Ireland). Also present was former Swedish army officer Stig von Bayer who served in the Congo at the time of the ambush.
Even though most of these trailblazing peacekeepers have now retired, their memories of the Congo and places such as Elizabethville, Jadotville and Niemba are still very strong within the Defence Forces as we continue to remember and honour them.
UN plot at Glasnevin Cemetery
On the previous day, Friday 8th November, members of the IUNVA, with families and friends of troops of 33 Inf Bn, held a ceremony and reception in Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum at the monument and plot for Irish soldiers who died while on service with the UN and for members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, which is where the state funeral for those who died in the Niemba Ambush took place.
After the ceremony the family of Tpr Anthony Browne (MMG) presented his old bull’s-wool uniform to IUNVA for a loan. It will be put on display in IUNVA’s HQ at Arbour Hill.
UN Veterans Ronnie Daly and Dan Garland with Tpr Browne’s uniform
On 2nd September 2014 the first Defence Forces Veterans’ Day Parade was held on McDermott Square, DFTC, Curragh Camp. Many veterans from around the country joined under their respective flags. In attendance were the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE), along with the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO). The Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney TD, officially attended and was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Conor O’Boyle and Brig Gen Seamus Ó’Giolláin, GOC DFTC.
The Minister in welcoming past servicemen and women confirmed the Defence Forces were committed to our veterans:
The Minister complimented the Defence Forces on our 54-years of international peacekeeping:
The Minister finished by paying tribute to the 86 members of the Defence Forces who died on operations at home and abroad in the service of their country, “They paid the ultimate price in the cause of peace”. The day was finished off with light refreshments and displays of current weapons and vehicles and also a display of historical vehicles and weapons brought in by the Irish Military Vehicle Group (IMVG).
The Curragh Military Hospital has a long and varied history. Over many years its staff has treated British troops, World War Two internees, and IRA prisoners, as well as countless numbers of our own troops and their families since the Irish Free State Army took over the hospital from the withdrawing British Army in early September 1922.
On 2
Two of the facility’s residents are retired Defence Forces personnel, Pte Oliver Reilly and Sgt Patrick Reilly (no relation).
It requires stamina, true grit and sheer determination to take on a gruelling 12-day, 3,000-mile journey on a bicycle, but that is exactly what 39-year-old, former corporal, Donncha Cuttriss has been training for every day since he left the Defence Forces in January. His goal is to be the first Irishman to participate as a solo competitor in the Race Across America (RAAM), widely recognised as ‘the world’s toughest cycle race’. The race starts in Oceanside, California, and ends in Anapolis, Maryland, passing through Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania on the way, and climbing to 10,849ft at its highest point.
When Donncha left the Defence Forces in January 2011 he had completed 21 years service, during which he had served in 1 Fd CIS, the DFTC, and 1 Fd Engr Coy. He also had 10 trips overseas to missions in Lebanon, Eritrea, Liberia and Chad. He credits his military service with equipping him with the necessary attitude and skills required when training for a challenge such as the RAAM. Donncha must average 22 hours cycling a day to achieve the fitness and stamina levels needed to compete in the race. He has already completed 24- and 30-hour cycles with his crew, and his training continues. He departed for the US on May 16th to complete his last month’s training before the big race starts on June 15th. On the day the race starts RTÉ are to broadcast a documentary on Donncha’s training and preparations for the race.
Using his efforts to raise money for charity is also very important to the Corkman and his chosen charity is the Meath-based Aisling Group International, founded in 1988 by Marie Byrne, which provides help and information for people in relation to drugs and alcohol misuse. The Aisling Group’s domestic and international charity work received deserved recognition in 2008 when it was presented with an All Islands Special Endeavour Award by President Mary McAleese. Thankfully, people like Donncha give us mere mortals a chance to help worthwhile charities the easy way, by ‘donating a little to help a lot’.
Fundraising was launched 2 months ago by Cork’s Lord Mayor Michael O’Connell where Donncha was accorded a Civic Reception. In one event Donncha’s friends organised a 25km charity cycle through Cork City, setting out from Collins Bks and stopping off at the Elm Tree Bar & Restaurant in Glounthane for light refreshments. The Elm Tree is owned by Capper’s old schoolmate and lifelong friend Derek Walshe who generously donated €3,000 towards Donncha’s costs for the RAAM, which are estimated at €20,000. Everything received above that amount will go to the Aisling Group. Donncha’s bike worth €6,000 was sponsored by