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Heroic Option: The Irish in the British Army
It is a curious paradox that, while for many centuries there has been deep antagonism between the British and the Irish, the latter have fought the former's wars with exemplary courage and tenacity. This has never been better demonstrated than when, as a result of the Irish regiments' superb service in the South African War (Boer War) at the end of the 19th Century, Queen Victoria ordered the formation of the Irish Guards in 1900 as a mark of the Nation's gratitude. Even after the trauma of Partition, Irishmen continued to serve in Irish regiments in large numbers and the tradition continued today. Indeed during the Second World War a very significant number of the most influential generals were of Irish extraction.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 31, 2021
As the old saw/joke goes- the young O'Neil walks up to a group of strangers engaged in fisticuffs and inquires- is this a Private Fight- or may I join in? Is it probably now considered a racial slur? Perhaps- but anyone who's been around for closing time in the Temple Bar in Dublin will grant that the Irish, like the Brits, can be just as pugnacious as they can be charming and fun. This concept comes to mind as one reads this telling of the story of Irish soldiers in Imperial Services- for Irish Nationalism has taken many forms over the history of the Union/Empire/Commonwealth- and many Irish folks chose to express their Irishness within the Imperials structure- even as others chose to aim for nationhood and a Republican future. Desmond and Jean Bowen, a married writing partnership on Irish and Imperial subjects takes us through the nuances and concepts in play from the early Norman conquests in Ireland- through the Cromwellian and House of Orange re-conquests that seemed to have poured so much blood on the historical and political footing. Anglo-Irish is a real thing- and people of many faiths claimed it as term. The abuse of some Catholic families by the authorities as various times was very real- and did lay an overall groundwork for eventual independence. But at the same time service to the Crown of the Empire was seen as real path to solid and respectable employment- only becoming unfashionable after WWI/The Easter Rising/Black and Tan repression in the interwar period. Even then- some 40k Irish folks served in the Allied Armies in WWII as volunteers(!!?)
My mother was British, my wife of 20 years was of Scots/Irish stock, so these are two cultures I adore- and I do prefer it when they are working together in the earlier part of this book. You have to read about lot of British Knights/men at Arms/Dragoons scourging the countryside, but it was precisely because the Irish were so good at Guerilla/Raiding/Asymetric warfare- that the Brits felt they have to resort to some serious atrocities. Then as soon as humanly possible they employed as many Irish soldiers themselves in further Imperial adventures. The Middle part of the book is where you find that all the best British soldiers are really Irish (um- Wellington, Nicholson, Roberts, Kavanagh (Civilian Winner of the VC), Wolseley, and Montgomery- these people make good points) and you find Irish Officers and men of all backgrounds at the forefront of literally every Campaign from 1756-1918, It's a lightning tour- but the Irish do like to finish a job they start- so it bounces into every corner of the Empire/Commonwealth during the Colonial era. In the late 1800s as the Boer War and Industrial warfare are meeting upswelling Nationalism in the South. WWI recruiting got political with some Irish intending the "Earn" their independence with service to the Crown, some intending to cement the Union with their sacrifice, some resisting the British to the maximum-trying to exact freedom whilst their enemy was distracted, and many others more interested in the economic opportunities in a Wartime Europe rather than service. there is a lot of nuance to this story- with good people on all sides of every issue- and the Bowens treat it with the proper interest and depth.
There are quite a few adult themes in this book, mostly subtle politics and some quite graphic wound description, so this is best for the Junior reader over about 12/13 with a National interest. for the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- a really interesting view into the history of the British Army, in particular the Colonial era. Often the Colonial or European civilian element to the stories- is involved- the Irish Soldiers finding reasons to defend their fellows- while engaged in these wars. A lot of small episodes in these wars- so the gamer gets Skirmish scenario ideas- although of course the Irish Regiments- and British regiments whose soldiery was really Irish- figure large in the Peninsular and Crimean campaigns as well. The Modeler really gets a thousand diorama ideas- from Norman days to WWI trenches. It is the military Enthusiast who benefits the most though- it's hard to understand this sort of ultimate love/hate/tolerance relationship between two such similar countries-and this book really helps to bring it all together. A strong recommendation for readers on British/Irish/Colonial/Imperial/Commonwealth topics.
My mother was British, my wife of 20 years was of Scots/Irish stock, so these are two cultures I adore- and I do prefer it when they are working together in the earlier part of this book. You have to read about lot of British Knights/men at Arms/Dragoons scourging the countryside, but it was precisely because the Irish were so good at Guerilla/Raiding/Asymetric warfare- that the Brits felt they have to resort to some serious atrocities. Then as soon as humanly possible they employed as many Irish soldiers themselves in further Imperial adventures. The Middle part of the book is where you find that all the best British soldiers are really Irish (um- Wellington, Nicholson, Roberts, Kavanagh (Civilian Winner of the VC), Wolseley, and Montgomery- these people make good points) and you find Irish Officers and men of all backgrounds at the forefront of literally every Campaign from 1756-1918, It's a lightning tour- but the Irish do like to finish a job they start- so it bounces into every corner of the Empire/Commonwealth during the Colonial era. In the late 1800s as the Boer War and Industrial warfare are meeting upswelling Nationalism in the South. WWI recruiting got political with some Irish intending the "Earn" their independence with service to the Crown, some intending to cement the Union with their sacrifice, some resisting the British to the maximum-trying to exact freedom whilst their enemy was distracted, and many others more interested in the economic opportunities in a Wartime Europe rather than service. there is a lot of nuance to this story- with good people on all sides of every issue- and the Bowens treat it with the proper interest and depth.
There are quite a few adult themes in this book, mostly subtle politics and some quite graphic wound description, so this is best for the Junior reader over about 12/13 with a National interest. for the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- a really interesting view into the history of the British Army, in particular the Colonial era. Often the Colonial or European civilian element to the stories- is involved- the Irish Soldiers finding reasons to defend their fellows- while engaged in these wars. A lot of small episodes in these wars- so the gamer gets Skirmish scenario ideas- although of course the Irish Regiments- and British regiments whose soldiery was really Irish- figure large in the Peninsular and Crimean campaigns as well. The Modeler really gets a thousand diorama ideas- from Norman days to WWI trenches. It is the military Enthusiast who benefits the most though- it's hard to understand this sort of ultimate love/hate/tolerance relationship between two such similar countries-and this book really helps to bring it all together. A strong recommendation for readers on British/Irish/Colonial/Imperial/Commonwealth topics.
October 9, 2020
A bit on the light side
A good read, but lacks depth. I do recommend it, though. There is so much to Irish service in the British it could easily be twice as long, and still only slim the surface.
A good read, but lacks depth. I do recommend it, though. There is so much to Irish service in the British it could easily be twice as long, and still only slim the surface.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews