Barristers And The Great War

Sir, - Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, March 14th), in writing about Ninette de Valois, Willie Redmond and others, wove a fascinating…

Sir, - Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, March 14th), in writing about Ninette de Valois, Willie Redmond and others, wove a fascinating tapestry to illustrate the diverse strands of Irish participation in the Great War.

On the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association's visit to Flanders in September 2001, we remembered two of those featuring in Kevin Myers's article: Willie Redmond, a local icon at Loker; and also James Patrick Roche, whose headstone at Kemmel Chateau Cemetery is inscribed in Irish to recall his generous and manly nature.

My current research for a book about the Irish barristers who died in the Great War revealed a misleading reference to Roche as a barrister, in War Letters to a Wife: France and Flanders 1915-1918 (Rowland Feilding, London, 1929 and 1930). Roche cannot be traced in relevant legal records but, of course, he is worthy of remembrance.

Willie Redmond MP is one of the 25 Irish barristers who died in the Great War, as listed on the Four Courts Memorial, Dublin and in my letter (The Irish Times, February 3rd, 1999). Thanks to all the helpful organisations and individuals, at home and abroad, who provided information for my proposed book. At this stage, photographs and data on personal memorabilia would be especially welcome. - Yours, etc.,

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Anthony P. Quinn, Law Library, Dublin 7.