A chara, – Recently released archives shed interesting light on the contrasting fortunes of the families of Thomas Kent, and of RIC head constable William Rowe, who died in the exchange of fire at Bawnard House on May 2nd , 2016.
William Kent was denied compensation by the new Irish State for the deaths of his brothers, Thomas and Richard, on the grounds that he had not been dependent on them and had in fact benefitted from their deaths by inheriting their shares of the family farm.
His subsequent applications for a military service pension and a service medal were also unsuccessful because he failed to furnish adequate information or prove membership of the IRA in the three months up to the truce.
By contrast, the widow and dependant children of Constable Rowe were treated much more generously by the British government. Mrs Rowe was entitled to an annual pension of £15, in addition to £2 and 10 shillings for the four of her children who were under the age of 15. This was raised substantially to £50 and £6 and 5 shillings for all five of her children, who were under 16. – Is mise,
Dr MARIE COLEMAN,
School of History
and Anthropology,
Queen’s University Belfast.