Sir, – Eric Villiers (Letters, April 18th) alerts us to his commendable project to gather the biographies of forgotten Irish people who have made their mark around the world.
His description of ex-soldiers John King (of Tyrone) and Robert O’Hara Burke (of Galway) as “among Australia’s greatest heroes” is, however, exaggerated. Burke was in many respects ill-suited to lead the ill-fated 1860-61 expedition which became the first to cross the Australian continent. Indeed his reluctance to accept the advice and assistance of Aboriginal people encountered en route contributed to the demise of all but one of his party on the return journey. That was John King, and his survival was due in no small part to his readiness to accept Aboriginal help. A grandiose memorial to Burke (and co-leader WJ Wills) is located in Melbourne general cemetery. In stark contrast, an ordinary tombstone there marks the resting place of King, the man who emerges from the venture with the greater credit. Yours, etc,
DANNY CUSACK,
Canon Street,
Kells,
Co Meath