IRELAND'S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.
The book includes:
- The first Victoria Cross
- Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme
- North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge
- Ireland's flying aces
- Brothers-in-arms - heart-rending stories of family sacrifice
- The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others
- The homecoming - why there was no hero's welcome
Includes over 300 photographs and items of memorabelia from the lives of these brave men and their families.
An important book that opened up the conversation in Ireland about our role in World War I. Updated, and with a new introduction.
Autorentext
Neil Richardson studied Philosophy in University College, Dublin, before writing his first book, A Coward If I Return, A Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I, which won the Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year award at the 2010 Irish Book Awards. This was followed by Dark Times, Decent Men: Stories of Irishmen in World War II in 2012, and According to Their Lights: Stories of Irishmen in the British Army, Easter 1916 in 2015. A member of the Reserve Defence Forces, Neil has also written and produced plays with a Great War theme and has made several national television and radio appearances, including as consultant historian on RTÉ television's centenary programme 'My Great War'. He recently completed an MA in Military History and Strategic Studies (Maynooth University) and is currently studying for a PhD in History.
Klappentext
A Coward If I Return,
A Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I
is an award-winning collection of veterans' stories gathered from soldiers' families, military records, diaries, documents and letters. It shows just how significant Irish involvement in the First World War truly was.
From 19141918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all parts of Ireland; from all social, religious and political backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home.
Irishmen served everywhere: in Belgium at Ypres, in France on the Somme, and in Gallipoli, Palestine, and Mesopotamia (Iraq). An Irishman won the first Victoria Cross. Irish flying aces were celebrated as aerial heroes.
The war also united Irishmen.At Messines Ridge, the soldiers of north and south won a victory together; on Frezenberg Ridge, they were slaughtered side by side.
Their lives should never be forgotten.