At the eleventh hour

During the week there has been a lot of talk about today being the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day, that brought to an end the First World War. It was called, The Great War since there was no expectation there’d be a Second World War, not to mention all the wars, battles and conflicts that have taken place up to an including our own day.

On November 11th at 11am the guns fell silent and it is that silencing of the guns we recall and give gratitude for today.  There’s a remembrance being put before us of all who lost their lives during this war and, in particular from an Irish point of view, the estimated 35,000 Irishmen, who did not return home from the war.

Last August I celebrated Mass in Kilmovee with the Burke Family and their friends.  They had requested this mass in memory of their uncle, Fr Felix Burke and his sister, a nurse, who had both taken part in the First World War, Fr Felix as a volunteer chaplain from the Diocese of Achonry.  Later he was appointed Parish Priest here and died in January 1951 and is buried in the Church Grounds.

One of his nephews spoke at the end of the Mass about his own memories of his uncle and some of the rare occasions he shared stories with them from the war.  One story, recalled and shared with us in August, was of Fr Felix hearing confessions on the battlefield (The Somme) and of his encounter with a young soldier.  When they finished the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the soldier asked Fr Felix where he was from.  Felix said he came from Collooney in County Sligo and the soldier told him he was from Dromard – a few miles from Collooney.  It very much brought home to me, the reality of our people being involved in the war – some to see home again and, sadly, many who did not.

I spoke of this at the weekend Masses in Kilmovee parish and also of the fact that somebody had shared a photo with me during the week.  It was of a Remembrance Monument in Castlebar that lists all those from County Mayo who were killed in the war.  The piece in the photograph contained the names of people from Kilmovee.  I searched on line and found other names from Kilkelly.  Specific townlands in the parish were not to be found so I imagine there was just a general address for the soldiers.  I am sure too, that there are other names not found, or possibly no longer in living memory but I thought it right to list the names we had.  People stood, remembered them and said “Rest In Peace” after each name was read.

• Private Edward Boyle, Kilkelly
• Private Patrick Cuddy, Kilkelly
• Private James Doherty, Kilmovee
• Guardsman Patrick Duffy, Kilmovee
• Private Richard Forkin, Kilmovee
• Private John Harrington, Kilkelly
• Private Edward Higgins, Kilmovee
• Private Martin Higgins, Kilmovee
• Sergeant Dominick Jordan, Kilmovee
• Rifleman James Judge, Kilmovee
• Private Thomas Kearns, Kilkelly
• Private Patrick Kelly, Kilmovee
• Private James Kenneally, Kilkelly
• Private John Mannion, Kilmovee
• Private Matthew Mullen, Kilmovee
• Private J Mulligan, Kilmovee
• Private Michael Walsh, Kilmovee

I sang a song today at Mass that I used at the Family Mass in August.  It’s a well known song, recalling a man sitting beside the grave of a young soldier.  I read recently that Eric Bogle,  the composer of the song, was anxious that an Irish name be attached to the solider as there was much Anti-Irish sentiment in England at the time he wrote the song.  He wanted it put on record that many Irish men gave their lives in England’s name and that this reality should not be overlooked. The song is called “The Green Fields of France” and there is no finer version than that sung by The Fureys and Davey Arthur.  That said, I sung it today and just did a recording now of my “version” so hope you don’t mind me including it!

THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE

THE LAST POST

In the chorus of the song there is mention of The Last Post so maybe we could listen to its sombre tones now and include a prayer for all who have died and continue to die through war, conflict and violence.  “Lord, deliver us from all evil and grant us peace in our day”.