Newspaper reports
Below are various newspaper accounts of the activities of the service squadron. They are arranged chronologically. At this stage almost all are drawn from the pages of The Belfast News-Letter.
1914
THE ULSTER DIVISION.
Recruiting for Inniskilling Dragoons.
The enrolment of a squadron of Inniskilling Dragoons in connection with the Ulster Division began at Enniskillen Barracks yesterday, when the local command passed over to the commander of the Enniskillen Horse (U.V.F.), Mr. W. Copeland Trimble, J.P. A clerical staff attended from the headquarters at Belfast, and Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan and Dr. Charles attended to the medical examination, while the commander administered the necessary oath. Guards were then placed, and the Enniskillen Barracks are now in the possession of Inniskilling Dragoons. A fresh batch of volunteers will be joining from day to day.
(Belfast News-Letter, 3 October 1914)
INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
ULSTER DIVISION.
APPLICATIONS for members of the U.V.F. throughout Ulster for embodiment in the Inniskilling Dragoons (Ulster Division), will be received by the Officer Commanding Royal Barracks, Enniskillen. Horses, uniform, and all equipment will be supplied by the Army authorities; but candidates must be good horsemen, and when unknown to any of the officers should obtain a reference as to character. Pay per army scale. Term of enlistment, during the period of the war, but not longer than three years. Applicants who may have served in the Cavalry or Yeomanry should state experience.
By Order,
Headquarters, Royal Barracks, Enniskillen.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
(Belfast News-Letter, 9 October 1914)
ULSTER DIVISION.
INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
Half a squadron of Inniskilling Dragoons (the Ulster Division) are in barracks in their own town of Enniskillen. It is only a few days since the commander of the "Enniskillen Horse" undertook the responsibility of trying to raise a squadron of mounted men for one of the Ulster divisions, and Mr. Trimble has been fortunate so far in having got together a splendid lot of athletic men whose average height would be 5ft. 9in.
The quarters are very comfortable, shelters have been provided for the horses within the barrack premises, drill instructors are on the spot, and the squads have their turn at athletic exercise in the open or in the gymnasium, at drill, on foot, and at semaphore signalling, while lectures are provided and other means of instructing young dragoons in their business.
Capt. the hon. Hugh O'Neill arrived when the numbers had grown, and he is now exercising energy in pushing forward the young recruits. Applications for enrolment have come from different parts of Ulster, and it is expected that this fine body will soon reach its full strength and be a credit to the name of the historic regiment it bears, and the northern province.
Good horsemen in this district should communicate with Mr. Trimble, and join the Inniskilling Dragoons.
(Ballymena Observer, 16 October 1914)
ULSTER AND THE ARMY.
The Mounted Squadron.
POST FOR CAPTAIN STRETTELL.
Captain Chauncy Batho Dashwood Strettell, of the Indian Army, has been selected to command the Ulster Division squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons now being raised at Enniskillen. Captain Strettell entered the Indian Army on 1900, joining the 23rd Cavalry (Frontier Force), which is composed of Sikhs, Dogras, Hindustani Mahomedans, Punjabi Mahomedans, and Pathans. He was appointed a squadron officer in 1902, and was promoted to the rank of captain seven years later. He also served for a time with the Burma Military Police.
(Belfast News-Letter, 23 October 1914)
INNISKILLING (U.V.F.) DRAGOONS
The recruiting for the Extra Service Squadron (U.U.F.) [sic] for the Inniskilling Dragoons, at Enniskillen has proceeded so far that Mr. Trimble, J.P., states he now has the squadron at peace strength. He looks to the other counties in Ulster to raise it to war strength (160). It had been expected that the corps would have been transferred on the arrival of the 4th Inniskillings at Enniskillen, but that order at the last moment has been countermanded. The Dragoons are to remain in Enniskillen, with probably the 11th (U.V.F.) Inniskillings, under Colonel Hessey.
(Ballymena Observer, 30 October 1914)
INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
Send-off to Dungannon Contingent.
An enthusiastic scene was witnessed at Dungannon Railway Station yesterday morning, when six local members of the Ulster Volunteer Force left for Enniskillen to join the extra Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons. A large crowd of townspeople assembled and gave the departing troopers a very hearty send-off. Loud cheers were raised and detonators were exploded as the train moved off. Up to the present 179 officers and men of the Dungannon Battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force, are on active service, ...
(Belfast News-Letter, 3 November 1914)
Dungannon.
Enthusiastic scenes were witnessed at Dungannon railway station on Monday morning, when six local members of the Ulster Volunteer Force left for Enniskillen to join the extra service squadron of the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons. They were Messrs. Jack Newell, Randall McManus, and Sandy Williamson, A Company, Dungannon Battalion U.V.F., and Messrs. W.J. Armstrong, Garnet Irwin, and Alexander Watt, of B Company. A very large crowd of friends and well-wishers had assembled to give them a hearty send-off, and as the train left the station loud cheers were raised and detonators exploded.
(Mid-Ulster Mail 7 November 1914)
A further detachment of recruits from Dungannon U.V.F. left Dungannon to join the Inniskilling Dragoons – namely, Messrs. William McKeown, Harry Hamilton, Fred Noble, and John Meenagh (Miltown). Altogether 225 members of the Dungannon U.V.F. Battalion have now volunteered for active service, as compared with only 19 Nationalists from the same district.
(Strabane Weekly News, 14 November 1914)
THE ULSTER DIVISION.
... Lieutenant T. P. D. Seymour has been posted to the Special Service Squadron of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Ulster Division) at Enniskillen.
(Belfast News-Letter, 28 November 1914)
ENNISKILLEN HORSE AND INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
Presentation of a Drum Horse.
Major Strettel, commanding the Special Service Squadron (U.V.F.) of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, has written to Mr. W. Copeland Trimble, J.P., commander of the Enniskillen Horse, on behalf of the squadron, "accepting the extremely kind gift of the drum horse by the officers and men of the Enniskillen Horse, U.V.F." He also expresses thanks for the loan of the drum saddle and drums, which he trusts they will have time and opportunity to make ample use of before they leave for the Front.
In his letter on behalf of the Horse, Mr. Trimble said that as the saddle and drums had been presented to the Horse they were not at liberty to part with them altogether. The offer of the trained drum horse was the unanimous gift of the regiment.
The Inniskilling Dragoons (U.V.F.), which Mr. Trimble had been instrumental in recruiting, is now 30 men over the war strength, and the recruiting of a second squadron has been stopped by the War Office, which has caused keen disappointment not only to the squadron but to many who during this week have presented themselves for enlistment. Half of the squadron is recruited from Fermanagh and the remainder from the other Ulster counties.
(Belfast News-Letter, 28 November 1914)
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
... Mr. Ernest G. Matthews, of Belfast, has received a commission in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons Service Squadron (Ulster Division), and has been posted to Enniskillen for immediate duty. Mr. Matthews joined the North Irish Horse at the commencement of the war. He is the younger son of the late Mr. Wm. Matthews, of the Belfast Bank, and Bangor, and Mrs. Matthews, Cyrene Villas, Cliftonville.
(Belfast News-Letter, 19 December 1914)
1915
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
... Captain A. Hulse, 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, at Lurgan, has been transferred to the service squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons (Ulster Division) at Enniskillen.
(Belfast News-Letter, 3 February 1915)
6th INNISKILLING DRAGOONS
Forty more men are required for the Service Squadron of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons in connection with the Ulster Division. For some time past recruiting for this squadron has been closed, but now that additional men are required a splendid opportunity is available for young men who can ride to join one of the most distinguished regiments in the army.
(Belfast News-Letter, 8 February 1915)
GENERAL POWELL IN ENNISKILLEN.
Addressing the Service Squadron 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Ulster Division) after his inspection at Enniskillen, General Powell, C.B., said he was more than surprised at the improvement made by the men and their efficiency, which reflected great credit on their commanding officer, Major Strettel, and their other officers. There was no doubt that the division would go to the front as soon as they had enough men. The division was in a peculiar postion; it was full at present, but, unlike other divisions, had no territorial reserves to feed it, and they could not move till the division had formed its own reserves which would fill vacancies that were bound to occur. He appealed to all to help get recruits and thus fill up the reserve battalions.
(Belfast News-Letter, 1 April 1915)
FROM ENNISKILLEN TO BELFAST.
Yesterday the Service Squadron of the 6th Enniskillen Dragoons and the Cyclist Company left Enniskillen en route for Belfast to take part in the review of the Ulster Division on Saturday next. On Wednesday night the Dragoons will, it is expected, reach Armagh, on Thursday Portadown, and on Friday Lisburn. The divisional troops are under Major Strettle [sic], of the Dragoons. The Dragoons are up to full strength, with a full troop of reserves, and the Cyclist Company want only now a few men to complete the establishment.
(Belfast News-Letter, 4 May 1915)
REVIEW AND PARADE OF ULSTER DIVISION.
Impressive and Inspiring Scenes in Belfast.
[On Saturday 8 May a review of the Ulster Division was held at Belfast,] the lead in which was taken by the cavalry squadron (6th Inniskilling Dragoons) belonging to the Division. If the War Office had so desired, there is no doubt that a much larger body of cavalry could have been secured, but the methods of fighting in these days do not give the same scope to mounted troops as formerly, and the authorities, therefore, decided that one squadron of cavalry would be sufficient for the present needs of the Division. If the numbers are comparatively small, however, the quality of the men is beyond cavil. On Saturday they bestrode their horses as if to the manner born, and their smart and alert bearing, combined with their splendid physique, was much commented on by the spectators. The squadron should be a great source of strength to the Division.
(Belfast News-Letter, 10 May 1915)
MILITARY IN BALLYMENA.
A party of 5 officers and 180 men of the 36th Division Cyclist Company and 7 officers and 110 men of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, both at present stationed at Antrim, arrived in Ballymena yesterday. The cyclists were under the command of Lieutenant Warman, and the Dragoons were under Major C. B. D. Strettell. The cavalry officers were billeted in the Clarence Hotel, Mill Street, and the cyclist officers in the Adair Arms Hotel, while the men's quarters for the afternoon and night were in the Protestant and Town Halls. The party will leave for Ballymoney this morning.
(Belfast News-Letter, 12 May 1915)
TROOPS' VISIT TO BALLYMONEY.
A squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons, in charge of Major Strettell, and a detachment of the 36th Divisional Cyclists' Company, commanded by Lieutenant Warman, arrived in Ballymoney yesterday at mid-day. Flags were displayed from all the principal buildings and most of the houses in honour of the visit. The Dragoons were quartered in the Town Hall and the Protestant Hall and the cyclists in the Y.M.C.A. premises. The party proceeds en route to Magilligan this morning.
(Belfast News-Letter, 13 May 1915)
DRAGOONS AND CYCLISTS AT COLERAINE.
A section of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons visited Coleraine yesterday. A company, consisting of 7 officers and 110 men of the Dragoons, with transports, and 5 officers and 180 men of the 36th Divisional Cyclists' Corps, passed through the town en route for Magilligan, where, it is understood, they are to encamp. Each section on arrival from Ballymoney halted for a few minutes on the Diamond.
(Belfast News-Letter, 14 May 1915)
INNISKILLING DRAGOONS IN CAMP.
Gymkana at Magilligan.
A successful gymkana in connection with the service squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons was held on Magilligan Strand, County Derry, on Saturday, before a large number of interested spectators. Captain Hulse and Squadron Sergeant-Major Waldron acted as judges.
The first event was a section race (mounted) over two jumps, for which twelve sections entered. The result was:- Lance-Corporal J. Hamilton's section (No. 4 troop), 1; Lance-Corporal R. Kerns's section (No. 2 troop), 2. Time, 3 mins. 48 secs.
The second event was an inter-troop relay race, consisting of twelve men per troop, dismounted, the course being across 800 yards of country. This was won by No. 3 Troop. Time, 2 mins. 45 secs.
The final event was a Victoria Cross race, in which each competitor was mounted and carried a dummy figure. The course was over 300 yards, including two jumps, and there were forty entries, the event being run in heats. H. Brownlee, No. 2 Troop, 1; R. Shields, No. 4 troop, 2; M. Daragh, No. 4 Troop, 3.
(Belfast News-Letter, 23 June 1915)
THE INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
Captain A. Chamberlayne, of the Indian Army, has been appointed to the command of the Service Squadron 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, Ulster Division, in succession to Major Strettell, 23rd Cavalry, who has been ordered for duty elsewhere. Captain Chamberlayne saw a great deal of service in the Boer War, and prior to joining the Indian Army was in the Berkshire Regiment.
(Belfast News-Letter, 2 July 1915)
TROOPS IN NEWTOWNARDS.
... The 6th (Reserve) Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons have arrived at Newtownards Camp from Antrim, where they have been stationed for some time. Captain Moorehead was in command.
(Belfast News-Letter, 3 September 1915)
INNISKILLING DRAGOONS SERVICE SQUADRON.
Inspected by Distinguished Cavalry Officers.
Mr W. Copeland Trimble, J.P., commander of the Enniskillen Horse, Ulster Volunteer Force, has received a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing Paterson, D.S.O., commanding the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, telling how the Service Squadron Inniskilling Dragoons, the only Irish cavalry in Kitchener's army, and which was recruited in October, 1914, from the Enniskillen Horse, were visited at the front by distinguished cavalry officers, including Major-General M. F. Rimington, C.V.O., C.B., colonel of the regiment, and Brigadier-General Neil W. Haig, who lately gave up the command on promotion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing Paterson writes:- "General Rimington, General Haig, and I went over to see the Inniskilling Service Squadron two days ago. They are a fine-looking lot of young fellows, and I feel certain will do good work for the old country. I hope next week to take the regiment across to their part of the country, so that all ranks may become acquainted. I think it is an excellent arrangement that the reserve squadron has been settled at Enniskillen, and consider that it always should be so."
(Belfast News-Letter, 22 October 1915)
SERVICE SQUADRON INNISKILLING DRAGOONS.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing Paterson has carried out his intention of bringing over the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons to visit the Service Squadron on the Western front. They had a field day together, and it was a day to be remembered. The squadron is in good health and spirits.
(Belfast News-Letter, 30 October 1915)
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
... Mr. James R. Darragh, who has received a commission in the West Riding Regiment, is a son of the late Mr. Samuel Darragh, and brother of Mr. W. Darragh, of the Rathfriland branch of the Belfast Bank. Second-Lieutenant Darragh, who belongs to Ballycraigey, Ballymena, came home from South Africa about six weeks ago. He has two brothers serving in the Ulster Division as troopers in the Service Squadron of the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons.
(Belfast News-Letter, 1 November 1915)
1916
MAJOR-GENERAL POWELL'S CUP.
Presented to Inniskilling Dragoons.
Brigadier-General G. W. Hacket Pain, C.B., during his inspection in Enniskillen on Wednesday of the reserves of the Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons (who were under the command of Captain G. H. Moorhead), presented the silver cup awarded to the Service Squadron, now in France, by Major-General C. H. Powell, C.B., for being the best shooting unit in the Ulster Division.
General Hacket Pain, addressing the men, said he had much pleasure in coming to hand over to them the cup presented by General Powell, who had commanded the Ulster Division, for the best shooting unit under his command. and that was the Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons. The General had selected this squadron for this handsome cup, and it was his wish that when the war was over the cup should revert to the Inniskilling Dragoons. There had been various regiments of horse of the Inniskillings since they had been raised, and they had often paraded within the view of the old castle, but there had been no record kept of them in this shape, and this cup in years to come would be a memento of the war to tell of how the Enniskillen men had come forward to fight for King and country at a time of a great national crisis. He had great pleasure in presenting the cup to them.
Captain Moorhead thanked the Brigadier on behalf of the Squadron for the presentation. The cup, he said, would be a source of emulation to the men to retain it with honour.
The Brigadier-General afterwards inspected the men and horses at work on the grounds of Castle Hume.
(Belfast News-Letter, 25 February 1916)
RANK AND FILE CASUALTIES.
... Trooper Harry Hamilton, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, Service Squadron, a native of Dungannon, recently met with a severe riding accident in France, and is now in hospital suffering from severe injuries to the head and legs.
(Belfast News-Letter, 28 March 1916)
RANK AND FILE.
Belfast.
... Gibson, Pte. C., Inniskilling Dragoons, son of Mr. J. Gibson, Dundonald, wounded.
(Belfast News-Letter, 19 July 1916)
RANK AND FILE.
County Fermanagh.
... Dickson, Corporal Thomas, Inniskilling Dragoons, Drummee, Enniskillen, wounded.
... Elliott, Private Wm., Inniskilling Dragoons, Lougheyes, Lisbellaw, wounded.
... Keys, Private J., Inniskilling Dragoons, Ballycassidy, wounded.
(Belfast News-Letter, 20 July 1916)
RANK AND FILE.
County Armagh.
... Robinson, Pte. G.D., Innis. Dragoons, son of Mrs. Robinson, Beechfield Terrace, Avenue Road, Lurgan, wounded and shell shock.
(Belfast News-Letter, 22 July 1916)
ULSTER AND THE WAR.
... CAPTAIN A. HULSE, reported wounded, is in the Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons, which was raise in connection with the Ulster Division. He first served in the Pioneer Battalion at Lurgan, and subsequently transferred to the Dragoons at Enniskillen, where he served before going to the front. Captain Hulse is a son of Mrs. Hulse, Alexandra Road, Sydenham, London.
(Belfast News-Letter, 9 August 1916)
THE RANK AND FILE.
Other Districts.
... Elliott, Trooper W., Service Squadron, Inniskilling Dragoons, Lough Eryes, Lisbellaw, wounded.
(Belfast News-Letter, 10 August 1916)
OFFICER CASUALTIES.
SECOND-LIEUTENANT E. G. MATTHEWS, Inniskilling Dragoons, wounded, has arrived at his house, 3, Cyrene Villas, Cliftonpark Avenue, Belfast, on sick leave. He joined the North Irish Horse in August, 1914, and obtained his commission in December, 1914, in the Inniskilling Dragoons. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. William Ewart & Son, Ltd., as an apprentice mill manager.
(Belfast News-Letter, 23 August 1916)
ULSTER DIVISION SERVICE SQUADRON.
The Reserve at Enniskillen.
WAR OFFICE UNAWARE OF ITS EXISTENCE
Mr. W. Copeland Trimble, J.P., who was instrumental in raising the service Squadron of the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, has received the following communication from Lieutenant-General Sir Nevil Macready, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Adjutant-General to the Forces, with reference to a complaint he forwarded to the War Office that vacancies in the squadron were being filled by men who did not belong to the reserves at Enniskillen:- Your letter of the 25th August to Sir William Robertson has been passed to me, and after inquiry into the facts of the case regarding the Service Squadron of the 36th Division, I find that no returns were received from this reserve squadron at the War Office until after the 31st July, 1916, and consequently the War Office was not aware of its existence. The fault would appear to lie with the officer in command of records concerned not complying with a War Office letter of the 21st September, 1914, and as a result such drafts as were required (a very small number) were taken from the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment. The returns are now coming in, and the Reserve Squadron will in future be called upon to produce reinforcements as far as it is able.
(Belfast News-Letter, 8 September 1916)
CAPTAIN HULSE ON LEAVE.
Captain A. Hulse, commanding officer of the Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons, who has been home on leave from the front, visited Enniskillen last week on a visit to Captain G. H. Moorhead, who is in command of the Reserve of the Squadron. Captain Hulse received a warm welcome from his old friends, and while in Enniskillen delivered a lecture to the men of the Reserve Squadron on warfare and tactics in France.
(Belfast News-Letter, 23 November 1916)
1917
THE RANK AND FILE.
... Darragh, John McClelland, Dragoons, third son of the late Mr. Samuel Darragh, Ballycraigy, Ballymena, and Mrs. Darragh, Alma Terrace, Portadown, killed in action in France, 24th December.
(Belfast News-Letter, 5 January 1917)
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
FROM LAST NIGHT'S "LONDON GAZETTE."
Inniskilling Dragoons - Service Squadron - Temporary Second-Lieutenant G. Garnham, from a reserve regiment of cavalry, to be temporary second-lieutenant (17th February, with seniority from 28th November, 1916).
(Belfast News-Letter, 6 March 1917)
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
SECOND-LIEUT. MATTHEW S. DARRAGH, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) was killed whilst leading a patrol party on the 20th inst. Twenty-four years of age, deceased was the youngest son of the late Mr. Samuel Darragh, Ballycraigy, Ballymena, and Mrs. Darragh, Alma Terrace, Portadown. His brother, Mr. John McClelland Cromie Darragh, of the Service Squadron, Inniskilling Dragoons, was killed in action in France on 24th December last.
(Belfast News-Letter, 28 March 1917)
THIRD SON KILLED IN ACTION.
SECOND-LIEUT. JAMES R. DARRAGH, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was officially reported slightly wounded on the 24th June, and who died on 5th July in hospital in France, was the fourth son of the late Samuel Darragh, Ballycraigy, Ballymena, and Mrs. Darragh, Alma Terrace, Portadown, and is now the third son killed in action since 24th December, 1916. He had been on active service since June, 1916, and had served through the battle of the Somme. The following is an extract from a letter written by his commanding officer to his mother when he was wounded - "I very much regret to inform you that your dear son James was wounded on the night of the 24th --. I hope to go and see him myself to-morrow, and will then write you a short account of how he is getting on. A little while ago I sent in his name, and recommended him for special leave, and only yesterday I was informed that it was likely to be granted. I cannot close this letter without telling you how much I have appreciated your son's service whilst with the battalion under my command. I have always found him a most reliable and hard-working officer, and have been very pleased and proud of him in every way. We are all very fond of him, and very sorry to lose him, although, of course, we are glad that it is no worse."
(Belfast News-Letter, 10 July 1917)
"A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT."
A discussion took place at Enniskillen Urban Council on Monday, when a report was made that some soldiers in the garrison entered the Hall and took down decorations for a drapers' assistants' dance. Captain Moorhead wrote expressing deep regret, and stating that disciplinary measures had been taken and that a similar occurrence would not take place again. A claim for £2 2s 5d was received from the drapers' assistants, and on the motion of Mr. Trimble, it was decided to send it to Captain Moorhead. Mr. McGovern, J.P., denounced the military in strong language, and said they should not be allowed back into the Hall.
(The Derry Journal, 7 November 1917)
RANK AND FILE CASUALTIES.
Johnston, Pte. Oliver, No. 41151, R. Ir. Fus., brother of Mr. John Johnston, 130, Woodstock Road, Belfast, wounded in the abdomen. Pte. Johnston, who was a member of the Social Service Section of Willowfield Battalion, East Belfast Regiment, U.V.F., joined the Service Squadron of the Inniskilling Dragoons on the formation of the Ulster Division, and was afterwards transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He is a member of R.B.P. 873 and Star of Down L.O.L. 428.
(Belfast News-Letter, 1 December 1917)
CURSING THE POPE.
ENNISKILLEN STREET SCENE.
PROTEST BY ARCHDEACON KEOWN
APOLOGY FROM MILITARY HEADQUARTERS.
We have received for publication the subjoined correspondence, beginning with a letter addressed by the Very Rev. Archdeacon Keown, P.P., St. Michael's, Enniskillen, to the Commanding Officer, Inniskilling Dragoons, Royal Barracks, Enniskillen, dated 22nd October last, in the following terms:-
On the evening of last Tuesday, between 8 and 9 o'clock, about 20 soldiers proceeded through the streets of Enniskillen from the Town Hall to Darling Street cursing the Pope at intervals and cheering, to the sentiment of to h--l with the Pope.
This unprovoked outrage on the part of the soldiers has given very grave offence to the Catholics of this town, and indeed of the country generally, to whom the very name of the Pope is dearer than their lives. The insult was offered in the public street, and knowledge of the incident has been circulated in both the Dublin and Provincial Press. The police, who were so energetic in the streets of Enniskillen on the previous Sunday, were conspicuous by their absence when a number of soldiers were publicly violating the law on Tuesday evening. You can easily imagine what indignation would have been aroused among the Protestants of Ulster, and what a demand would be made for the punishment of the offenders if a number of Catholic young men were to publicly curse the head of the English Protestant Church in the streets of Enniskillen. Catholics have their feelings too. I rely on your sense of justice and fair play for public reparation to the Catholics of Enniskillen for the wanton insult offered to them on the occasion in question.
Captain A. Moorhead, Commanding Reserve Service Squadron Inniskilling Dragoons, replied acknowledging receipt of the letter, and stating that it had his attention.
[The report goes on to reproduce corespondence between Archdeacon Keown and Sir Bryan Mahon, who replied expressing his] regret at the highly improper conduct of some soldiers on the occasion you refer to, and I much regret that such objectionable expressions as those you mention should have been used by anyone. ... the incident was the subject of careful inquiry, and there was no reliable evidence that such expressions were actually used by soldiers, but may have been used by some other persons present at the time.
(The Derry Journal, 17 December 1917)
1918
BRAVERY IN THE RANKS.
It was officially announced last night that a bar to the Military Medal has been awarded to D/21257 Private E. W. McKeown, M.M. (Tyrone), of the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons.
(Belfast News-Letter, 12 December 1918)