Sir, - In response to Mr Michael McGuire's letter under this heading (September 24th), I wish to assure him that there is a memorial here to the memory of Maurice James Dease, VC. It is a cenotaph standing in the grounds of the parish church in Coole. There was also a bronze plaque inside the church, but it was, removed during reconstruction about twenty years ago.
Maurice James was, as Mr McGuire correctly states, born in Gaulstow one mile distant. in 1889. His father, Edmund Fitzlaurence Dease was born here in Turbotstown in 1858. He was author of History of the West Meath Hunt, published in 1898.
He was one of 12 children - two boys and ten girls. Of the ten girls, four became nuns and four were married - one to the Earl of Gainsborough. Gerald, the elder of the two boys, married but bad no family. Edmund Fitzlaurence married and had two children - a boy and a girl. The girl married and had three children. The boy, Maurice James, was, as we know, killed at Mons. His father and uncle survived him for twenty years - until 1934. There being no heir, the estate was sold in 1926.
It was a glorious but sad ending to a family that lived here for seven hundred years, holding their lands despite being Catholics during three centuries under Penal Laws. They were closely related to the Plunketts, being twice intermarried to them.
Maurice James Dease, VC, was buried at Mons. Yours, etc.,
Turbotstown House,
Coole,
Co Westmeath.