We have two photographs for you this week. The first is of Private Tom Ruffley, who was a member of The Connaught Rangers. He was one of five brothers from Bohermore who served in The British Forces in the First World War. He was killed in India in 1922. His brother James served with The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Another brother John was in The First Irish Guards, and was killed in action in France on September 15th, 1916. John is buried in Guillemont Cemetery on the Somme. There is no information available on the other two brothers.

Our second photograph is of Patrick Carrick, the son of Michael and Mary Carrick from Fairhill in the Claddagh. He was a member of The First Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Private 24159) who enlisted in Lanark. He was killed in action in France on the first of July, 1916, and is buried in Y Ravine Cemetery in Beaumont-Hamel on the Somme.

Both of these men were among the thousands of Galwegians who served in The British Army and Navy in that huge blood-letting that was the First World War. Some enlisted to answer the call of duty, some went because of political idealism, some were in search of adventure, and for others joining the forces simply represented getting a job with regular pay. The promise of devolved government in Ireland, a promise later reneged on by The British Government, probably influenced many. The 1916 Rising drastically changed the political climate at home, so that when those who survived returned from the war, they found the army they had been fighting in was now the enemy. The public commemoration of their sacrifice became highly politicised and identified with a Unionist perspective. In the 26 Counties in particular, the memory of these forgotten heroes was kept alive by their families and comrades rather than by any public demonstration or commemoration.

So it is fitting that in this month of The Holy Souls, there will be an Ecumenical Service entitled "Remembering Galway People who died in the Great War", in the Cathedral on Saturday next, November 3rd, at 11am.. The Local Authorities, both city and county are involved, as are the Army, United Nations Veterans Association, The Red Cross, The Dublin Fusiliers, Civil Defence, The American Legion and many other organisations. All members of the public are invited to attend, in particular those who had family members who served in and who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the war. It will be a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of these forgotten Galway heroes.

Coincidentally, The Old Galway Society's November lecture will be on the subject of "The Connaught Rangers", and will take place in the Mercy Convent on Thursday next, (November 8th) at 8.30pm. It will be given by Sergeant Bryan Smith, and all are welcome.

Please forward any queries/comments to oldgalway@kennys.ie