Follow up to Sgt Kirwan WW2 story

Follow up to our posting 18th January 2019

With a further update on 29th October 2019 at the end of this posting


Sergeant John Anthony Kirwan of Dungarvan co Kilkenny    WW2
RAF Air Gunner DFM
Service no: 1067998,
49th Squadron
8th July 1944


Eric Whittle in Australia, found my home telephone number and called to Ireland very early one morning after Christmas.


 His follow up email...

A TALE OF TWO FRIENDS

My father, Bert Whittle, is a WW2 RAF pilot veteran. He was shot out of the sky over The Netherlands and spent three years as POW, but still going strong at age 97 and living in Perth Western Australia.

When he enlisted in 1938 he started training at the RAF School of Photography at Farnborough, Hampshire. There he met a young Irishman by the name of John Kirwan and they soon became firm friends. Both were still teenagers. John attended a Whittle family wedding (Bert’s older sister) Daphne, that same year, and while on leave for Christmas they made a trip to Ireland where Bert met John’s family. 

John attending  Berts sister Daphne's wedding

        Bert Whittle, Bill, Daphnes new Husband, Peter Whittle, John Kirwan, and Bills friend.

Memory is not so clear these days but it seems that this adventure involved a train ride to a village south from Dublin.

Bert went on to do pilot training in Arizona before returning to operational duties at 25 OTU Finningley. The two men lost contact in the chaos of the time. Soon after the war Bert emigrated to Australia where he has further survived several careers, two marriages and a good many offspring. But he regrets not searching out his friend John Kirwan, or perhaps his fate.

As an addendum: A search of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website will find a Sgt. John Anthony Kirwan DFM (now buried in France), son of Michael and Bridget Kirwan of Dungarvan, County Kilkenny. Part of his story can be found here: http://www.49squadron.co.uk/personnel_index/detail/Kirwan_JA  

Coincidently when we recorded the graveyard at Dungarvan co Kikenny, back in 2014 and 2015 we noticed the inscription on this Kirwan family grave mentioned, Jack 1944.  A chance meeting later, with Annie Kelly (Sgt John Kirwans niece) with her son Gerard told us who Jack was.  We researched his military career and filed the information.

Eric and hs wife travelled to Ireland and visited John Kirwans family at Dungarvan co Kilkenny.
They they travelled on to France
This is Eric Whittle visiting the grave of Sergeant John Anthony Kirwan in the Community Cemetery Near Conche, in Eure, France.

Eric Whittle

Dear Bernie and Mary,

We’re home again at Margaret River and settled in after some jet-lagged nights. 

The last few days in Europe were spent in the Austrian Alps near a little town called Söll; absolutely stunning in the mountains, and of course a totally different way of life.

But what made the whole trip worthwhile was our stay in Ireland. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. After leaving Kilkenny we called in to visit the grave of Father Linnane at Saint Patrick’s Church, just north of Bealaclugga in County Clare. Father L was a kind mentor to my Mum in Australia, when she was a teenager. She gave me a special stone to leave at his resting place. Instead, the local priest (now retired) who we met there said he would bless the stone and keep it in the church. Mum is so pleased!

We hired a car in Cologne and drove through Netherlands, Belgium and France. In Elsloo (Netherlands), we stood on the precise place at a road intersection where Dad's Wellington bomber L7802 came down. More recently, a road crew digging at the site found one of the aero engines! A young local historian has even written a book about the crash with images, official records, etc. Unfortunately it’s not available in English text. 

We stayed a few days in Ypres (the local Dutch/Flemish prefer Ieper) and attended the Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate. After visiting several memorials for the allies (a good many Irish and Aussies lay there) who perished in Belgium and Northern France, then acknowledging civilian casualties and of course the Germans, I just can’t grasp the total carnage of the time. What a bloody waste.

 

We found my Uncle Peter’s grave in Miraumont. Also met an English couple (retired teachers) who live within 3 minutes walk of the cemetery, and have arranged with them to put some flowers on Peter’s grave on what will be his 100th birthday in May next year.
 

Then on to see Jack. After a minor detour to Le Chesne, Ardennes (oops!) we found Jack’s crew in the village of Le Chesne, Normandy. We decided to share his flowers with all the boys, I’m sure he didn’t mind. With beautiful farmland crops stretching for miles around, and children’s laughter in the school playground opposite, I can’t imagine a more peaceful or fitting place for them. I’ve attached a few pics here. Notice the little blue cross of remembrance we found against Jack’s stone. Also, the crew have been included on a memorial stone in front of the village church.

Please pass on love and best wishes to Jack’s clan, from Bert and myself.
 I shall always remember Anne’s warm kitchen and home cooked offerings.

Tell Annie I’ll drop in again one day for another slice of that apple pie, I’m sure of it.

These seven are the only Common Wealth War Graves in Le Chesne Cemetery, Eure, France

The crew of the Lancaster LM541 (EA-N)

F/L G.E. Ball DFC Pilot
Sgt E. Wardman F/E
P/O G. Millar NAV
P/O J. Kernahan W/OP
Sgt J.A. Kirwan DFM A/G
P/O G.A.Rae RCAF A/B
F/S G.J.W. Parkinson DFM A/G

>

 Hi Bernie and Mary,

Yes, Bert was keen for details of how the journey played out, particularly in Kilkenny. Discovering that John's story is such a valued part of Kirwan family heritage was very satisfying to him. He will always be saddened by the circumstances of John’s end, but quietly proud that he had known such a man and met his family. And a loose end, a mystery to him, has been resolved at last. 

Bert Whittle

29th October 2019

This morning from Eric in Australia

Mary and Bernie,
You've done a wonderful job with the update of this story of Jack and Bert.  And there are countless others that intersect with it that stretch out like a borderless mosaic.  For example, it is generally accepted that there are seven Commonwealth War Graves in this Cemetery; in fact there are eight.  Notice behind Jack's stone is another dedicated to RAF fighter pilot Flight Lieutenant D. C. Webb, brought down in June 1944 (perhaps only a few weeks before Jack's crew) " and found his French Friends"  Webb was buried here in 1992.  Perhaps he came after the war to work for the CWGC and attended to Jack and the others.
The inscription on the blue cross against Jack's stone reads: Visited by Anne & Peter Harden Chickerell Weymouth Dorset UK, Thank You for Your Sacrifice
Eric Whittle

Limerick City Community Radio: The History Show

Bernie and I went over to Limerick earlier in the summer and I was interviewed by John O'Carroll of Limerick City Community Radio.  This interview was aired on Sunday 1st September on The History Show .  Whilst the interview was not specifically about Kilkenny ancestors, it did cover, for example,  work undertaken in the Belgian State Archives in Brussels on the Irish immigrants to that country in the 19th century and followed up with records of Irish Governesses who worked in Belgium, in Austria and Russia.  The interview has now been made available as a podcast and can be found at  https://www.lccr.ie/podcasts.php?show=the-history-show&date=2019-09-01

This is all part of out wider interest in Irish Genealogy and Family History.  There are records found in the Belgian Archives that do relate specifically to people who once lived in Kilkenny and on which we are doing further research.  Anyway, this is just a taster to hear about our other research into Irish people and their histories  .If you have the inclination and time feel free to have a listen; the interview lasts about 40 minutes.

Tifeaghna Co Kilkenny in the Barony of Galmoy, the Parish of Sheffin and the Poor Law Union of Urlingford.

Tifeachna

This beautifully cared for graveyard is in the Catholic Parish of Lisdowney and in the old Parish of Sheffin.  Carrigan (1904) states this was called Theghfegre in a 1526 document  but appears in 1621, 1637 and 1641 as Tafeaghrae or Tafeaghny or Tyfeaghrae.  In the Down Survey of 1655 it appears as Tifeighny.  In all cases it translates from the Irish as the House or Church of Fiachra or St Fiachra.  It may have been the original Parish Church of Sheffin.  However not a single stone is evident of the ancient church that once stood here. 

From Patricks Journey into Ossory "a visit was paid by Pulcherius, Canice,  Molua, and Mofecta or Feachtna to Mocumb, at the church of Tifeachna. A monk named Macumb is later attributed as being the founder of  the Church of Grange Macumb on the banks of the Nore, near Ballyraggett.   These saints having tarrried at Tifeaghna a while before parting with their friend, placed each, a stone one above the other to commemorate their meeting and later at Tifeaghna, on the western side of the churchyard, a pyramidal - shaped monument, built of small truncated cones, placed loosely one on top of the other; they are probably the memorials referred to in the aforesaid chapter".   There is now no sign at all of this pyramid.

Near Tifeaghna another old church-site Clontubrid, is identified with Feachtna.  Cluain Tiobrait...a holy well over which is built a very ancient structure called Tobar na Drui, "The Well of the Sage".  Canon Carrigan refers to this well as Tobar a "dhithreabhaigh" "The Well of the Hermit".

Fiachra was known as the Hermit.  Saint Fiachra born about 590 A.D. was originally a native of north west Connaught and ordained a priest there.  He sought solace and isolation as a hermit at Ullard Graiguenamanagh, and Kilfera near Kilkenny.  Kilfera was the church with which he was connected before he left Ireland for Gaul. 

In surveying this graveyard we first made a map and we recorded 128 memorials overall.  One memorial, No 38 is a small broken headstone decorated with an IHS.  It is exquisitively carved. This stone was recently dug up out of another grave that was being prepared for a new burial.  The inscription reads "Here lyeth ye body of Thomas Hollant who departed this life...." (rest buried).  The caretaker, who was mowing the grass whilst we were there, told us the approximate date on the stone was 1741.

The graveyard has a very large number of 18th century memorials.  There are three erected pre-1750 bearing the dates 1722, 1741, and 1741 respectively.  These earliest stones appear to be cut in red sandstone. There are 25 memorials bearing dates between 1750 - 1799  (1752, 1758, 1771x2, 1772, 1774, 1776x2, 1772x2, 1778, 1779, 1782, 1788x3, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1794, 1795x2, 1796, 1797x2).  In addition there are 29 early 19th century memorials erected between 1800 - 1849, (1806,1807,1808x3, 1810x2, 1811x3, 1812, 1814, 1815, 1816x2, 1819, 1821x2, 1827, 1829, 1830, 1832, 1836, 1837x2, 1839. 1843. These 19th century memorials are predominantly cut in Kilkenny limestone. There is a Killeen, a burial place for children within the graveyard, and as was the case, strangers to the area and people without means were likely to be also interred in the North side of the graveyard.

Table tomb of Mr John and Patrick Lewis right corner inside gate 1828 and 1829
 "they possessed qualities useful and likeable being sound, friendly,  charitable and honest and generous to the poor"

          Double headed stone of Patrick Loughman and his wife Mary Loughman Alias Walsh

Seated area in the shelter of an Ash tree

There are at least four stones with memorial poems or verses on them.
Memorial No 94 which is an old upright stone decorated with a  Gloria In Excelsus Deo in a scroll and 2 side Ciboria was erected by Michael Doran in memory of his father William who departed this life December 4th 1787 aged 55 years. This little verse is not one we came across before " Die we must without control, Lord have mercy on me soul"
Memorial No 68
On the Tomb of Mary Fitzpatrick alias Campion 5th June 1788 aged 36 years and her son Timothy Fitzpatrick 15th Janry 1793 aged 19 yrs.
Stand here my friends, wipe off your tears, here we be till Christ appears, when he comes we hope to rise  (uable to read last line would have read).... Into a life that never dies.

Memorial No 106
Memory bells are ringing, ringing
In the distance far away
Do you hear them singing, singing,
Do you hear them singing, singing,

Do you hear their mellow rhyming
Do you hear the clear sweet story
Of your childhood's far off glory
Do they take you back to years

Clouded by no haunting fears
When your path was strewn with flowers
When a rainbow arched your sky
And when faith stood smiling.

Researching this verse Mary found what seems to be an abreviated version of Memory Bells , in the Journal of Education for Ontario Vols 27/28 Page 186, 1874.   No author attributed to it, ( see below for more details about this very interesting stone).

The Iconography across the graveyard is representative of a general trend within Kilkenny, where the Christogram, the IHS, appears in a central position with a cross resting on the bar of the H, and usually within a Corona Radiata also called a Sunburst, at the top of the stone  Underneath the Corona Radiata is usually a scroll or ribbon with Gloria In Excelsus Deo written in it.  On either side of this are Ciboria (which resembles a lidded Chalice with a cross) depicted within a Lancet window shape.  The carving on this fragment below of a very early headstone, is by a skilled carver but we did not find the remaining pieces. Angel faces with wings can appear on the top of the stones and represent the departing soul.

Pensive Angel finger to her lips suggesting words less said

At Tigfeachna the public road wraps around the graveyard on three sides

Old Forged Gate with novel closing strategy which works

Revd. Thomas Doran

Table Tomb No 49 above reads-

Sacred to the memory of Revd Thomas
Doran,  Tintore, who had been....
Curate of the Parishes ...., Castlecomer
and  Callan in the last of which he closed his Mission
Called forever the piety and Ardent zeal
The brilliant ....accomplishment of
Amiable young clergy....his mind
.....opportunity of..
....splendour...
...were the..
Shining light in the Church
..in the bloom of Sanctity 7th June 1831 aged 30 years
In him were
...word of the..
Holy Ghost...in the midst of
..and as the sun...when..
It shines so did he shine in the example of God
Eccessiast
Requiescat in Pace

McEvoy Headstone

 Memorial  No 53 reads:-

           Erected by Edward McEvoy in memory of his father Edward McEvoy who has been here interred. He died Sept 16^th 1815 aged 78 years.  Also his mother Bridget McEvoy alias Hoyne died Nov 1^st 1832 aged 70.  Also his brother Michael died Nov 1^st 1836 aged 28.   Also Bridget Brown who was lost on her way to America aged 22 in the ill fated Atlantic April 1 1873.  Requeiscant in Pace Amen". 

      Bridget Brown  was lost on her way to America in the disaster of  the SS Atlantic.   Built in 1871 by Harland and Wollf, Belfast for the White Star Line.  The Atlantic was on its 19^th voyage across the Atlantic; she departed Liverpool on 20^th March, via Queenstown, Ireland and was bound for New York.  The voyage was rough and the ship was diverted to Halifax, Nova Scotia to take on more coal; Instead of Halifax though, she was off course by about 20 kilometers and smashed into rocks at full speed and ran aground near the fishing community of Prospect Hill, Nova Scotia.  There were 975 people on board. Over 550 perished including all the women and all the children bar one boy who was rescued.  The bodies not claimed by relatives were buried in the village of Terence Bay (277 in the Anglican St Paul’s Cemetery and 150 in the RC Star of the Sea Cemetery). This was the biggest ship wreck in Nova Scotia history and the second biggest in Canadian history. It was the worst disaster for the White Star Line until the sinking of the Titanic.  Bridget Mary Brown is listed as a Steerage passenger; another Kilkenny girl is also named amongst the victims:- Ann Cleary from near Mount Loftus but we have not been able to identify her.  All the single women and children were sleeping in the part of the ship that was very quickly submerged under the water. Recovery of the bodies and their burial took weeks to complete. See www.atlantic.com which is part of the SS Atlantic Society, established in 1998 by the citizens of Terence Bay and Lower Prospect.  There is also an SS Atlantic Heritage Park and small museum. Artifacts from the wreck can be seen here or at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  See also on You tube the SS Atlantic Sinking in Real Time Documentary.  The ship sunk in less than half an hour. 

      Bridget Brown was the granddaughter of Edward McEvoy (1737-1815) and Bridget Hoyne  circa 1766-1832) who are recorded on the headstone.   Bridget Browwn was the daughter of John Brown of Upper Patrick's Street Kilkenny and of Bridget McEvoy, daughter of the above couple.   Bridget was the sixth child born to John  Brown and Bridget McEvoy but she was not 22 years old when she drowned but 32 yrs (St Patrick's Parish Bridget Brown baptised 3rd June 1840).   The family were not affluent and her father is described in documentation as a labourer.  Her brother John, also of Patrick's Street , Kilkenny was a car man and labourer and illiterate.  There are no headstones to the Brown family in St Patrick's Kilkenny.  Her brother John and his wife Ellen Cantwell had a little girl whom they baptised Bridget on 17th December 1873, eight months after the sinking of the SS Atlantic and named obviously after his sister Bridget.

Graveyards a haven for  nature

      Memorial No 19
      Beneath are interred the remains of Mr John and Mary Coyne late of Urlingford. The former died 27th June 1807 in the 55th year of his age. The latter his fond wife on the 22nd of November 1844 in the 85th year of her age, and the 38th year of her faithful widowhood.   Beloved respected by her children, grandchildren, and friends and aquaintances and more particurlarly by the poor.  May they rest in Peace Amen.

Brodrick Memorial no 106

Memorial  No 106 reads:-

     Large kerbed plot with 2 upright stones; Left hand stone (106) is a small upright.  Erected by Sergt Patrick Brodrick (sic) late of the 2^nd Regt Bombay E. Lt I, E L co S, in grateful remembrance of his beloved wife Sarah Brodrick alias Kelly who died February 9^th 1871 aged 72 years. A good daughter and faithful and loving wife. May her souls rest in peace.  Memory Bells ringing, ringing in the distance far away, singing, singing, Will you tell me what they say PB.  Also her father Thos Kelly is here interred aged 80 years. 

    A Google search for Sergt Patrick Brodrick brought up the following information from a short article and photos in History Ireland (Jan/Feb 2015 Vol 7 23) under title An Indian veteran’s musket.  The musket has the following inscription engraved on a brass plate: 2^nd by En Lt Infy. EIC. Gnl No 36. No 6 Company. Sergt PK Broderick(sic). This fusil was on field service in the campaigns of 1844 and 1845 in the Southern Mahatta Country,  Samanghut 13 Oct 1844, Capture of Botherchur 5^th Nov, Punnella Ghur 1 Dec 1844, Capture of Rangnah 12 Dec 44, attack on Sussedroogh 12 Dec 44, Descent of the Suspension Ladder to the Fort of Monchar, down the Elephant rock at the Hunmunt Ghat 17 Jan 1845.  Cleared the Stockades from the Top of the Chauts on the Vingorla Rd 10 Feb 1845.  This piece presented by Capt C.T. Aikchinson 8 Oct 1853. St of the Bombay European Regiment.  This is a muzzle loaded musket  and has a bullet lodged in the musket that saved his life.   Broderick donated the musket to the National Museum in 1890. The Bombay European Regiment was renamed the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1881. 

      Memorial  no 107,  sharing the same Kerbed plot with the above No 106

       In loving memory of James O`Donnell Bohergloss died 2nd Mar 1954 aged 80 yrs.  His wife  Joanna died 31st May 1953 aged 77 yrs.  Their daughters Catherine died 27th May 1953 aged 37 yrs.   Brigid died 1920 aged 18yrs.  Mossie died 1926 aged 14 yrs, Julia died 10th Dec 1991 aged 76 yrs.  Their son Patrick died 16th July 1992 aged 85 yrs.  Also their grandsons and granddaughters.   Erected by their Grandson Edward O`Donnell.

Butterfly visiting a rose at the wall Plaque that remembers the Dooley Family Coolcashin Gathabawn

Index of Names

Asser 121
Bergin 118      
Birch 124
Bowden 16
Broderick 120
Brodrick 8, 25, 46, 106
Brown 51
Byrn 81
Cahill 88, 92
Camption 10, 11, 12, 30, 31,76, 82, 83, 87, 95, 96, 100, 102
Carey 98
Cashin   57
Corragan 74
Costigan 55, 78, 79, 118
Coyne 19, 20, 21, 52, 72
Cuddihy 112, 121, 122, 123
Cullanan 77
Cummins 39
Dalton 32
Deegan 69
Doheny 117
Dooley 4
Doran 49, 56, 57, 93, 94
Dowling 86, 108, 125
Duggan 62
Dunphy 21, 47
Egan 82
Fitzpatrick 11, 41, 43, 44, 45, 63, 66, 67
Foley 70
Gorman 67
Grace 21, 86
Gregg 91    
Harney 102
Hartford 91
Hayde 73
Hayes 12
Healy 25, 90
Hickey 78
Holehan 15
Holohan 98
Hollant 38
Hoyne 51, 71, 72
Joice 126
Jordan33, 37
Jourdan 36
Joyce 127
Kealy 20, 52, 53
Kelly 106
Kennedy 117
Kerwick 92, 126
Lalor 90, 93
Lewis 7, 9, 63
Loughman 13, 22, 23, 24
McAboy 81
McDaniel 82
Macevoy 51
Maher 71
Monahan 128
Mulhall 104
Mulrooney 102
Murphy 87, 127
Neary 124
O 'Donnell 107
O 'Hara 36
O 'Hare 33
O 'Toole 69
Phelan 10, 24, 25, 79, 86 101
Phillips 97
Purcell 17 18 29
Quirke 58, 75
Roberts 118
Ronan 16
Ryan 17, 77, 89, 91, 116, 125
Shortall 60, 61
Skehan 48
Slattery 28, 39, 65
Staunton 65
Straham 96
Sweeeney 104
Travers 122
Wade 121
Walsh 13, 22, 32
Walshe 92
Wellwood 91
White 57
Woodward 128

Index of Placenames on the Memorials


America 51
Baliel 7
Balleen 20, 21, 39, 102, 117
Ballough 74
Ballyconnley 10
Ballycoony 48
Ballygoony 89, 90
Ballykealy 100
Ballyspellan 24
Barna 73
Belfast 43
Bohergloss 29, 107
Bombay 106
Callan 49
Castlecomer 49, 66
Clomantagh 73
Clone 32
Clontubrid 30
Coolcashin 4, 118, 128
England 121
Foyle 18, 97
Foyle Bridge 28
Frankfort 17
Freshford 29, 33, 65, 69, 116
Garnagale 83 (Carnagale?)
Garrydague 67
Gathabawn 4, 17, 18, 25
Goologue 11
Gurtnamuck 60, 61
Kilcommon 17
Lodge 93. 101
Lodge Park 72, 122
Lodgepark 69
London 122
Loughstown78, 79
Lowheney 82
Lr (Lower) Tubrid 104
Newtown Hill 15
St Malachys College 43
Rathbeagh 92
Rathdowney 43
Spaw 8
Tentore 8
Threecastle 77
Tifeaghna 86, 108, 121, 123
Tifeaghna 31
Tiffeighne 46
Tinniscarthy 119
Tinniscarthy 53
Tintore 49
Upperchurch 17
Urlingford 19, 69
USA 43

List of Mason who have signed stornes

Coffey, Ballyragget 98
Coffey and Son Ballyragget 101
Gargan Kilkenny 72
Hoban,  Kilkenny 25, 67
Houlihan, Rathdowney 43
Mullan 17
Mullan, Kilkenny 118,119, 121, 122, 123, 128
O ' Keeffe Kilkenny 61
J. Ryan Freshford 52

Occupations noted on the Memorials

Capt  (Kilkenny Brigade, IRA),  90
Curate 49
Professor 43
Revd 43, 49, 72
Sergt 106 (2nd Regt Bombay European light Infantry)

Memorials with Eulogies

7, 19, 49

Memorials with Poems

68, 94, 96,106

Grangemacomb Graveyard, Parish of Lisdowney, county Kilkenny

Carrigan (1904) states that the civil parish of Grangemacomb is in a union of three ancient parishes:- Ardaloo, Kilcoman and Grangemacomb.  Of these Ardaloo belonged to the Priory of Kells in Kilkenny, Kilcolman, also called Conahy, belonged to the Abbey of St Thomas, Dublin,  and Grangemacomb which consisted of the townlands of Grange, Lisduff and Oldtown, which belonged to the Abbey of Jerpoint in Kilkenny.
This is a tiny graveyard accessed via a farmer's operational farmyard and his pasture for animals.(Thank you to the farmer for kindly allowing us this access).  The graveyard, which has both Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland burials, is on private land and definitely not visible from the road. Crossing a field there is a walled enclosure and within is one wall, a west wall, of a ruined medieval church still standing. Carrigan records that more church ruins were standing as late as 1847 but the remaining walls were taken down to make way for a new vault for the Stannard-Lanigan family, the local landlord family.  Within the walled graveyard is a wonderful oval shaped private burial area for the Stannard-Lanigan family which is situated exactly where the east window and altar of the now demolished church would have stood.  This private burial area is surrounded by beautiful cast iron railings with an arched gate allowing access to this private area.  The iron railings are of extremely high quality and standard but they have not been painted for many, many years. Try as we could, we were totally unable to find any makers mark or signature on the railing. We suspect they were probably made in Dublin.

In all there were only 18 memorials visible. Memorials 1-7 are within the private burial area and relate to the Stannard-Lanigan family and its extended family members.  Memorial No 8, outside the railed enclosure is also erected to a member of the Stannard family.

A magnificent and very imposing coffin shaped memorial on three raised plinths over the Stannard-Lanigan burial vault, Note the huge clawed feet, complete with nails, which stand on the four corners supporting the memorial.  This particular memorial is to William Stannard (died 13th June 1855),  Ellen Stannard, his widow (died 12th Oct 1875) and Lt Col Henry Stannard (died 1st May 1904).

The Stannard-Lanigan family is of huge interest. This particular line of the Lanigan family buried in Grangemacomb,  assumed the name of Stannard sometime in the 18th century but had converted to the Church of Ireland prior to that earlier in the 18th century.  This Lanigan family is originally from Cloonygoose in county Tipperary which is close to the Kilkenny town of Callan and they appear in deeds and marriage licences as early as 1720s. They can be found around the Callan area in places such as Ballykeefe and the parish  of Kilmanagh.  At least two members of the Protestant line from Grangemacomb can be found as Freemen in the City of Waterford in the 18th century,  The Catholic line is also of great interest marrying into the Fogartys of Castle Fogarty in Tipperary and also into the Catholic family of Ryan of Inch, Tipperary. The Catholic lines were responsible for at least two parish priests and James Lanigan, Bishop Lanigan, the RC Bishop of Ossory from 1789-1812, an extremely erudite man. We have now acquired a great amount of material about these Lanigan families and are compiling detailed family trees.  Edward MacLysaght (former Chief Herald of Ireland) states that the name Lanigan is mainly to be found in county Kilkenny.  Lanigan can be spelt in a variety of ways:- Lannigan, Lenigan, Lanegane etc.,
We are grateful to Michael O'Dwyer, former Hon Librarian of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society for bringing to our attention a newspaper report  on the death and burial at Grangemacomb of Robert Stannard Esq.,(The Kilkenny Moderator January 31st 1894)

This is a small vernacular memorial probably carved by the father for his daughter. Note the spelling of DAGHTER and the uneven lettering and uncertain spelling.   The letters "y" have a wonderful flourish to them and curly tails. . The stone is broken in the top left hand corner, but the piece was lying on the ground nearby.  It reads "Here lyeth ye body of Antis Bergin  who depd (departed) July ye 5th 1754 aged 15 yers.  Daghter to John Bergin".  Note also the attempt at decoration on the stone with a fine crucifix within a sunburst or corona at the top,  and the addition of two faces on either side of the cross. Are these attempts at the faces of Antis and her father John Bergin?  Further down in the centre of the stone is a large skull but in addition there is another small skull complete with teeth under the date 1754. There is also a cross at the end of this line.  Here is a memorial carved with grieving affection for a young  daughter with the father putting on the stone absolutely everything he could think of to remember his child.  This is the oldest surviving memorial in the graveyard and might be described as "folk art".

Names appearing on the memorials 
Bancroft 7
Bergin 13
Bollard 16
Brennan 17
Dowdall 1, 2
Edie 2
Eyre 4
Gallwey 4
Healy 9
Keating 17
McGrath 18
Murphy 9. 10
Pena, 7
Phelan 14
Ready 15
Stannard 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Walsh 13, 14
Welch 15
Welsh 12

List of Places mentioned on the memorials
Ballydowall 5
Ballyragget 2, 5, 8,
Donoughmore 14
Eyre Court Castle 4
Galway, county 4
Grange 17
Kilkenny, county 5
The Grange 2

List of masons who signed their work
Gargan, Kilkenny 8

List of occupations, offices or ranks mentioned on the memorials
Captain 4
C.B. 1 (Companion of the Bath - a British Award)
Major 3
Lieut Col 5
Royal Engineers 4

Grangemacomb.  Now what exactly does this one say?.  Expert help from one of our canine graveyard explorers. And yes, believe it or not, we got the total inscription from this nineteenth century memorial.

The Tomb of Jane Harriet Robinson at Kilfane co Kilkenny

The Tomb of Jane Harriet Robinson at Kilfane co Kilkenny

Grave no 127.

Jane Harriet Robinson who fell asleep in Jesus, June 18th 1854.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of God shall stand forever.

This memorial has been cared for and maintained by the community through the years and the railings are painted regurlary by Mrs Miriam Williams the Churchwarden at present Kilfane Church of Ireland.

In the recording of Kilfane graveyard we spent many hours here and made many visits and up until we really put our minds to researching, we did not know who this lady was interred here in this beautiful peaceful setting. We could not identify a mason mark on the tomb itself, or a Smith identified with the railings.

The Belfast Newsletter June 30th 1854
 "June 26th at the Rectory Thomastown Jane Harriet Robinson the wife of the Rev. Henry Robinson and eldest daughter of the Dean of Ferns."

Rev. Henry Newland was Dean of Ferns from 1842 -1962 he married to Hester Pemberton, their eldest daughter Jane Harriet married, January 29th 1850, Rev. Henry Robinson.

Rev.  Henry Robinson was Curate of Gorey Ferns co Wexford in 1845 and Curate in Thomastown 1846 to 1854.  Rev. Henry and Jane Harriet Robinson had two daughters, Jane Elizabeth Robinson and Amy B Robinson.
 After the death of his wife Rev. Henry Robinson went on to become a Chaplain to the Forces, 1855-1868, Served in the Crimea and in China (Medals). He was later Rector of St Paul's, St Leonard on Sea 1868- 1878, Vicar of Wesfield Sussex Chichester, 1881. He was the son of James Robinson a Lawyer.
The Belfast Newsletter 30th March 1859 announce the death of Jane Elizabeth Robinson at 69 Harcourt Street Dublin daughter of the Rev. Henry Robinson Chaplain to the Forces aged 6 years.
No 69 Harcourt Street, Dublin was owned by Col. Henry Vauvasour in 1850.

In the 1861 England  Census,

Rev. Henry Robinson is aged 36, Widower, born Trim Ireland and is  Curate of Ventnor Middlesex Ecclesiastical District St Catherines. Jane Harriet's sister is present ... Newland  age 29, born Wexford, her first name is not given and she is recorded as sister but should say probably sister in law. Amy B is 10 years old, born in Ireland.

Amy B  married The Reverend Henry Bartram on the 27th August 1876 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

In the 1881 Census of England,

Amy B Bartram is in her father Rev. Henry Robinsons House, at 27 St Pauls Priory Without Cure of Souls.  Rev. Henry Robinson is now 56 years born Trim Ireland, Wife Elizabeth is 56 years born, Virginia.  Amy B born Ireland, Henry Bartram, Grandson 3 years born Tunbridge Wells and Voilet Bartram Grand-daughter aged 1 year, born Oxford, also present a niece Ada Gilliat aged 16 years, born Australia.

In 1891 Census England

Rev. Henry Bartram age 42 Vicar of Ramsgate, Kent, his wife Amy Bartram 40 years, born Thomastown, Ireland. His son Henry B Bartram 13 years, daughter Amy.V. E. Bartram 11 years.

 In the 1901 Census England

 Municipal Borough; Dover Urban District; Castleward
Reverend Henry Bartram age 52 born Sussex Hastings,  Kehampton, Clergyman Church of England, wife Amy Bartram age 49 years born Ireland. Daughter A.V.E. Bartram age 21 years.


Amy B Bartram daughter of Jane Harriet Newland Robinson and Rev. Henry Robinson died in 24th August 1909 and is buried in St Marys  Dover, Kent , England.
England and Wales National Probate Bartram Amy of St Marys Waterloo  Crescent, Dover, wife of the Reverend Henry Bartram died 24th August 1909 at 85 Oxford Terrace. London Probate Cantebury 9th September to the said Reverend Henry Bartrum Clerk, and Honorary Canon of Cantebury.

Their son  Henry Brocklesby Bartram b 1877 Tunbridge Wells, Borough of Kent
Dover Express Friday 25th September 1914
Bartram Henry Brocklesby Captain
Date of Death; 16/09/1914 age;36  Regiment; Royal Horse Artillery "E" Bty
Grave ref; E.H. 12. Cemetery; St Marys New  Cemetery, Dover.
Only son of Henry Barthram and Mrs Henry Bartram.
Husband of Alice Bartram of Blidworth Dale Lindby Nottingham.
Joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1901 appointed Lieutenant in April 1901 and Captain in February 1909. Fought in the Battle of Mons and Cambrai.
Rev. E. H. Hardcastle (Vicar of Maidstone) was his Godfather. Captain Henry was interred in the same Cemetery and grave as his mother Amy B. Bartram 1909, and Reverend Henry Bartram 1934.

Henry Brocklesby Bartram married Alice Eugenia Smith daughter of Frederick Chatfield Smith and Harriet Matilda Pym in 1907 having issue Diana Bartram, Elizabeth Bartram, and Robert Bartram.

Robert Bartram, Capt. Harry Bob Brocklesby Bartram,  Serv no; 56912. 5 H.A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 25th December 1941. Age 27. Son of Harry Brocklesby Bartram and Alice Eugenia Bartram of Woodgreen Hampshire. 111.M.19. Capt.Harry Bob died on Christmas Day 1941 in defence of  Hong Kong.

His Great Grandmother Jane Harriet Robinson was interred in Kilfane Church of Ireland Cemetery June 18th 1854.  At that time Kilfane and Thomastown Church of Ireland Parishes were seperate.

Jane Harriet Robinson lived at the Glebe House Thomastown and her husband Revd Henry Robinson was the Curate at Thomastown St Marys Church of Ireland.  We can only surmise that being interred at Kilfane was a personal choice for Jane Harriet and Reverend Henry Robinson. 

Beck Family of Stonemasons, Thomastown, county Kilkenny.

Since we started working in Kilkenny graveyards, one of the things we have been careful to record is the name of any mason that has signed a memorial and any other information like his place if work.    Most early 18th/19th century stones are not signed at all but sometimes we can detect a style of carving or design from one graveyard to the next even when the stones have no signatures.    We have now quite an extensive list of masons who have worked in the county.  They are usually all men but we have recorded two stone masons who are women.  Because we have collected these names we notice patterns of where these masons worked and whether they worked on Protestant or Catholic memorials.   Some of the most famous Kilkenny masons are well documented such as the 16th/17th century Kerin family, the O'Tunneys,  or the O'Shea family of Callan whose fabulous work of  the 19th and 20th centuries adorns our graveyards.    But we now also have an inventory of more modest masons who left work in these Kilkenny graveyards.  This inventory of Kilkenny masons is quite unique and most of these masons are never listed in any of the early trade directories.
One family of stonemasons that caught out attention was the Becks of Thomastown, county Kilkenny.  So far we have found nine headstones carved and signed by members of this family who seemed to be operating between circa 1810 - 1861 to judge by the dates on the stones. Two of these stones are erected by Richard Beck of Thomastown to members of his own family and are not actually signed, but judging by the style it is probably safe to say they are also carved by him.  As you can see from the list below these Beck masons were apparently only working on headstones around the Thomastown area, although masons could also be travelling around looking for work.  And as far as we can ascertain the Becks appeared to work exclusively on Catholic family headstones.  These stones are always large upright stones decorated at the top with Christian symbolism such as an IHS, a Gloria Scroll usually inscribed "Gloria in Excelsius Deo",  ciborium or chalices on each side of the upper part of the stone and sometimes with a sunburst design or corona radiata surrounding the IHS.  The Becks tended to sign their work somewhere prominently on the top part of the headstone.
Here are the transcriptions of the stones the Becks are known to have carved and the graveyards where these memorials can be found:-

Ballyhale Graveyard (Parish of Ballyhale)

1. Old upright stone decorated with an IHS with corona radiata, 2 ciborium and a Gloria Scroll.  Erected by Richd Beck of Thomastown in memory of his wife Mary Beck alias Walsh who depd this life August 16th 1820 aged 27 years.  Also Margaret Walsh who depd this life March 20th 1819 aged 27 years. Also their father Walter Walsh Derrynahinch who depd this life December 12th 1850 aged 70 years. Also Mrs Walsh of Castle Banny who departed this life 6th day of January 1811 aged 46 years and also of her husband Patrick Walsh who departed this life the 9th day of June 1852 aged 80 years. May they rest in peace Amen.

Famma (Brownsbarn) Graveyard (Parish of Thomastown)

1. Upright stone decorated with a Gloria Scroll on the top.  Signed: Finished by William Beck of Thomastown.  Erected by Mary Murphy alias Gory of Brownsbarn in memory of her husband James Murphy who depd this life 1st June 1835 aged 57 years.  Also his daughter Bridget Murphy who departed this life August 23rd 1835 aged 26 years.

2. Erected by Richard Beck of Thomastown in memory of his wife Mary Beck alias Murphy who died 20th March 1810 (1816?) aged 33.  This does not say it was carved by Richard Beck but it probably was.  Stone not found by us so far; it has probably fallen and lies beneath the sod.  Information from previous transcriptions taken in this graveyard by Major Connellan in the late 19th or early 20th century.  Date of death for Mary is suspect as Richard and Mary had children up to 1814. Date of death is probably 1816.

Hugginstown Old Graveyard (Parish of Hugginstown)

1. Finished by Richd Beck, Thomastown. Decorated with an IHS with a cross, a Gloria Scroll, 2 ciborium, a sunburst and angels. Erected by Edmond Power of Condonstown in memory of his daughter Elenor Power who depd this life June 22nd 1838 aged 10 years. Also his  father David Power who depd this life 26th June 1814 aged 67 years.   On the back "I am dead and sleeping here"

2. Old upright stone. Signed by mason Thos Beck, Thostown on front.  Decorated with an IHS in a sunburst, a cross, lancets with ciborium and floriated.   Erected by John Millea, Milerstown in memory of his son Michael Millea who depd this life March 1st 1854 aged 26 years. Also two of his daughters Anastasia and Bridget who died young. Requiescant in Pace. On the back  "Remember man as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now so you shall be, think on death and pray for me".

Kilfane Graveyard (Parish of Tullaherin)
Two very worn stones which have fallen and are lying flat next to each other within the ruined church.  Very difficult to read.

1. Erected by James Henricken of Kilfane in memory of his daughter Elizabeth Henricken who departed this life on the 1st January 1835 aged 22. Requiescat in Pace Amen. Finished by William Beck of Thomastown.

2. Decorated with two lancet windows in upper part of stone.  Erected by John Lanigan of Kilfane in memory of his beloved wife Mary Lanigan alias Henricken depd this life Septr 19th 1853 aged 62.  Also her father James Henricken who departed this life Aug 15th 1840 aged 93 years.  Also her mother Abigail Henricken who depd this life August 10th 1844 aged 76 years. Requiescant in Pace Amen. Thos Beck. Thomastown.

Kilbride Graveyard (Parish of Glenmore)

1. Erected by Mr Edward Fleming of Newhouse in memory of his aunt Elenor Grant who depd this life Febry 24th 1853 aged 60 years.  Also his aunt Bridget Grant who depd this life Nov 11th 1861 aged 82 years. Rest in Peace. T. Beck. Thomastown.

Knocktopher Graveyard (Parish of Ballyhale)

1. Large standing stone with cross and shield.  Erected by the widow Coady alias Slattery of Earlsgrove in memory of her husband Edmund Coady died 8 June 1858 aged 60. Also his brother Patrick Coady doed July 13 1852 aged 55.  Also his daughter Bridget. She died young.  Thomas Beck, Thomastown. 

A very fine signature for Richard Beck of Thomastown on a headstone at Hugginstown

The Catholic Parish Registers for Thomastown start 23rd June 1782 for Baptisms and 1st January 1786 for Marriages.   We have been through these registers and extracted all those with the name of Beck to establish a family tree for the Beck stonemasons.   The name can be spelt Beck, Back, Baack or similar variations.  There is a strong and persistent naming pattern for males with names like Henry, Thomas, Richard, John and James appearing and re-appearing in every family branch and every generation.  The Beck family do not appear in the Tithe Applotments for Kilkenny nor in Griffiths Valuations.

William Beck, baptised 18th January 1814, who carved stones at both Famma (Brownsbarn) and Kilfane graveyards in 1835 was the son of Richard Beck of Pleberstown (just outside Thomastown) and Mary Murphy of Pleberstown.   This couple were married in Thomastown on 16th February 1806 with John Colleton, Anty Murphy and James Murphy as witnesses.  This is probably the same James Murphy who is commemorated on the stone at Famma, who died in 1835 aged 57 years and for whom William Beck carved the stone.   The other stone at Famma is erected by Richard Beck of Thomastown in memory of his wife Mary Murphy.  We have not found this stone ourselves but an earlier transcription states that Mary died in 1810 aged 33. This must be a transcription error for Mary had children baptised in 1810, 1811 and 1814.  We suspect she probably died in 1816 but as we have not seen the stone ourselves can not verify this date as yet

Richard Beck who erected the headstone at Famma to his wife Mary Murphy, married twice more.   His second wife, Mary Walsh, died after only 7 months of marriage in 1820 .   Richard Beck of Thomastown then married a third time to Mary Darcy of Mill Street.  They went on to have a family of 8 children including their son Thomas, baptised 16th Mar 1826, who also became a stonemason or cutter.  

Thomas Beck is the stone cutter who carved stones now in Kilfane (1853), Hugginstown (1854),  Knocktopher (1858 ) and Kilbride, parish of Glenmore (1861).   As a stone cutter he travelled around looking for work and that is obvious from the records we have found about him. He appears in records in New Ross, Wexford in 1853 and in Waterford in 1868.    He married a Margaret Hayden and they had a family of 7 children.  They mainly lived at Mill Street, Thomastown but also have other addresses in Kilkenny, probably as he moved around looking for work.   Sadly he died in the Workhouse on 13th October 1869 aged 42 years.

There are other branches of the Beck family in the Parish Register and they are all obviously related but the precise links predate the starting dates of the Parish Register (1782 for Baptism and 1786 for Marriages).   We have on file family trees for these other Beck families of Thomastown.

One of the most interesting members belonging to this wider Beck family is Thomas Beck of Thomastown and St John's Newfoundland, who is described as a major merchant in the Irish passenger and provision trade at the beginning of the 19th century.  All the available records state he was born in Thomastown circa 1777- 1782.  There is no relevant baptism for him in Thomastown.  He is well documented in Newfoundland where he prospered as a merchant and could certainly be regarded as upwardly mobile.  He married on 6th February 1817 in St John's Newfoundland,  Mary Duggan, the elder of two daughters of Henry Duggan, a baker and wealthy Irish merchant. Henry Duggan was a close associate with another Irishman in St John's, Thomas Meagher senior,  and his son Thomas Meagher junior, whose son Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867) was the Irish patriot, famously known as Meagher of the Sword.  Thomas Beck was trading for himself and had shares in schooners and a sloop from 1805 onwards but in 1818 he went into partnership with the Meaghers.  When the Meagher family returned to Waterford in Ireland, Thomas Beck was left in charge of the business and became their agent, collecting rents and managing their affairs in Newfoundland.  Although this partnership was dissolved in 1820 Thomas Beck continued to collect their rents and remit the same to Waterford. They also seemed to be operating  a ship called the Beresford until December 1822 when this ship sank in the Atlantic; they also lost a second ship off Kinsale in May and another ship in the following year.  The relationship with Thomas Beck and the Meaghers was obviously a close one as Thomas Meagher stood as sponsor at the Baptism of Thomas Beck's first son, Joseph in 1817.  

The known children of Thomas Beck and Mary Duggan (died circa 1848)  and who were baptised in the Basilica, St John's, Newfoundland were:-

1) Joseph Beck, baptised 20th November 1817. Sponsors: Thomas Meagher and Catt Duggan.

2) William Beck, baptised 13th April 1819.  Sponsors: Timothy Hogan and Mary Anderson

3) Henry Beck, baptised 6th November 1823. Sponsors: Rev. James Sinnott and Mrs Doyle. Henry died young, aged 7 years in April 1830. 

Beck's Cove in Newfoundland is named after this Thomas Beck.   He died in 1845 in Newfoundland.

This is ongoing research and the above is only a taster of the family history we have found so far.  We are in the process of writing up a more detailed study of these various Beck families for eventual printed publication.

Advert for the Brig Beresford sailing for Waterford on 25th June 1818 from Newfoundland.