Dedicated To The Bravery And Loyalty Of The Men From The Tyneside Irish Brigade
although the
suggestion that a Tyneside Irish Brigade would be created and was met with great
enthusiasm this soon led to disappointment when at a meeting on the 19th September, those interested in forming such a Brigade were informed that on the 18th September a letter had been received from the War Office to the effect that owing to the of local battalions already authorised, the Army Council had decided that no more such battalions be sanctioned. The Army Council thanked the commitee for its patriotic offer, but were unable to to accept it. It would appear that this was due to the Tyneside Scottish committee arguing with the War office about wearing of kilts.
Most of the initial recruits now dispersed and many enlisted into other regiments. Nothing further would now be done until October. On Saturday the 10th October, Lord Hadlane visited Newcastle with a request from Lord Kitchener to Sir Thomas Oliver that a Tyneside Scottish battalion be raised, which led to hopes that something would be done to renew the efforts to raise the Tyneside Irish Battalion. Infact Lord Haldane did not meet Sir Thomas Oliver, but a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Johnstone Wallace ( an Irishman ) did take place which led to the War Office recognising the Mayor as the official raiser of the Tyneside Brigades.
Most of the initial recruits now dispersed and many enlisted into other regiments. Nothing further would now be done until October. On Saturday the 10th October, Lord Hadlane visited Newcastle with a request from Lord Kitchener to Sir Thomas Oliver that a Tyneside Scottish battalion be raised, which led to hopes that something would be done to renew the efforts to raise the Tyneside Irish Battalion. Infact Lord Haldane did not meet Sir Thomas Oliver, but a meeting with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Johnstone Wallace ( an Irishman ) did take place which led to the War Office recognising the Mayor as the official raiser of the Tyneside Brigades.
Life for these poor men working in the mines was very hard. Conditions were terrible and many suffered greatly.The outbreak of the war was seen as a great adventure , it offered excitement and a change. By joining the army they could travel and be with friends.Sadly many would never return.
After Lord Haldane retuned to London, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle the received a telegram sanctioning a Tyneside Brigade comprising three battalions, Scottish, Irish and a second Commercial Battalion, so that steps were taken immediately to enrol members, and the Corn Exchange in Newcastle was opened as a recruiting office. The Scottish recruited briskly, but the Irish were much slower, although the Irish national Club, as many as forty men presented themselves as would-be recruits. Amongst those who initially joined were ex-regulars, therefore the Tyneside Irish had a cadre of old soldiers who helped bring the Brigade to a high level of training.
At a meeting in the Town Hall, the Lord mayor explained that the cost of what was termed ' Irregular Corps ' had to be borne by the raising committees until they were finally taken over by the War Office. He also added that Mr Joseph Cowen of Stella Hall, had made a magnificent gift of 10 thousand pounds to meet any deficiency which might occur before the battalions were taken over by the War Office. This removed the financial difficulties that the committee had faced, so recruiting could now begin in earnest. Sir Thomas Oliver addressed the meeting, the offer was unanimously accepted, and the thanks of the committee conveyed to Mr Joseph Cowen
At a meeting in the Town Hall, the Lord mayor explained that the cost of what was termed ' Irregular Corps ' had to be borne by the raising committees until they were finally taken over by the War Office. He also added that Mr Joseph Cowen of Stella Hall, had made a magnificent gift of 10 thousand pounds to meet any deficiency which might occur before the battalions were taken over by the War Office. This removed the financial difficulties that the committee had faced, so recruiting could now begin in earnest. Sir Thomas Oliver addressed the meeting, the offer was unanimously accepted, and the thanks of the committee conveyed to Mr Joseph Cowen
Above, Irishmen were already flocking to the cause, as this poster shows. This irish recruiting poster was issued by the Central Council for the Organization of recruiting in Ireland.
The serious business of recruiting for the Tyneside Irish Brigade now started. On Saturday 24th October 1914, the first recruiting poster appeared in the newspapers, showing the heads of four famous Irish Generals and the headlines ' IRISHMEN TO ARMS! ' This poster had an application form, that w ould be recruit, in an outlying village, could cut out, enter his details, and then forward to the recruiting committee. Also large posters in the Irish colours of Green and Gold, headed by the words ' THE CALL TO ARMS! YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! '
were posted in all districts of the North-East. The poster read.
were posted in all districts of the North-East. The poster read.
THE CALL TO ARM!
YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
JOIN THE
YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
JOIN THE
TYNESIDE
IRISH BATTALION
All eligible Irishmen are cordially invited to join
at once to fight for the great principles of freedom
and the rights of small nations, and against military
tyranny and despotism.
Proposal Forms are obtainable in all districts in
Northumberland and Durham, or from the
CENTRAL RECRUITING OFFICE,
Corn Exchange, Town Hall,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
JOHN MULCAHY
GERALD STONEY
6&7 Collingwood Buildings, Collingwood St
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Joint Secs.
GOD SAVE OUR KING AND COUNTRY
