Ireland

[reevemjr]

Hi Again,

I thought you might like to see this.

Its a brass wreath which was placed on the major's grave some years after the burial by his daughter Anne.

Regards,

Sean.

Sean

Now that is quite different to the one I have. Maybe the gravestone is not what I thought it was or it was the one that was replaced after its destruction. My grandmother was quite clear that it was the Major's wife who came out to the interment ceremony. But, she could have been mistaken.

Perhaps he wife could not face coming out again. Since, his daughter placed this bronze grave marker perhaps she came back later to make the arrangements, it certainly looks more elaborate. It looks like only the Cork Examiner may have the answer.

Do you know Compton-Smiths home town as the papers there may have carried the story. Also did you know there was a 'Compton-Smith Cup' and sporting events with the cup going to the winner and there was also story within the family that the site of his body's discovery is now under a runway???

Thanks I am quite taken with that photograph and would like to see more.

Mike

[Sean.]

Hi Mike,

I can’t be certain about the exact location where his body was found, the area of Donoughmore is mentioned several times which is near Blarney Co Cork and Cork airport is much further south.

Around the same time the bodies of two other people were recovered, they were Mrs Lindsay and her butler James Clarke who had also been abducted and killed in late January 1921. Both of those bodies had been moved twice and I think the runway suggestion might refer to where they had been buried the first time and not Compton-Smith.

The only reference to family being in Cork at that time was when his father came to identify the remains at Collins Barracks where they had been for some days, it is not clear how long he remained in Cork but it appears from the records that no family members were present at the burial, Gladys his wife was in Italy having remarried but may have visited the grave later, but I did read that it was his daughter who placed the brass wreath on his grave quite a few years later as I think she was very young when he was killed

The grave is exactly the same as it was in your photo, the only addition is the wreath, there appears to be no evidence of any destruction or else it was put back exactly the way it was. The writing on the stone is almost gone and you can only make out parts of his name.

I will double check everything that I have and see what else shows up,

I have attached a photo of the grave taken 2007.

Regards,

Sean

[reevemjr]

Hi Mike,

I can't be certain about the exact location where his body was found, the area of Donoughmore is mentioned several times which is near Blarney Co Cork and Cork airport is much further south.

Around the same time the bodies of two other people were recovered, they were Mrs Lindsay and her butler James Clarke who had also been abducted and killed in late January 1921. Both of those bodies had been moved twice and I think the runway suggestion might refer to where they had been buried the first time and not Compton-Smith.

The only reference to family being in Cork at that time was when his father came to identify the remains at Collins Barracks where they had been for some days, it is not clear how long he remained in Cork but it appears from the records that no family members were present at the burial, Gladys his wife was in Italy having remarried but may have visited the grave later, but I did read that it was his daughter who placed the brass wreath on his grave quite a few years later as I think she was very young when he was killed

The grave is exactly the same as it was in your photo, the only addition is the wreath, there appears to be no evidence of any destruction or else it was put back exactly the way it was. The writing on the stone is almost gone and you can only make out parts of his name.

I will double check everything that I have and see what else shows up,

I have attached a photo of the grave taken 2007.

Regards,

Sean

Sean

What a great, weathered stone, time has certainly left it mark on it. I did try to read what was on the 1924est. photograph but the image is so poor it will need specialist software. I have e-mailed the Regimental museum to see if they have the details. If they HAVE IT, I will post it. Despite the weathering it compares well with the 1924est. image, The angle is different which distorts the prospective when making comparisons. I think the edging looks more rounded in your photograph. What do you think, could this be a sign that it was replaced?

There a number if bits of information on the net but it is all very sketchy. The Regimental Museum has posted pics of the cigarette case and strangely the Australian and New York papers have carried the news but in no greater detail than we already know. The story gets more interesting as each bit of it is discovered. Your info is very interesting. Do yo have the name of the source? Perhaps I can get the book from my local library.

Regards

Mike

[Sean.]

Hi Mick,

The date for the photograph must be after 1926 (wrong date in my first post) and I would guess at 1929 or 1930, I can’t make out the original wording but would be very interested if you do find out.

Tim Sheehan a local author and historian here in Cork has recorded the death of Major Compton -Smith in Execute Hostage and also the story of Mrs. Lindsay's execution in Lady Hostage, both are very interesting story’s but as far as I know the are out of print and have been for some time but I will make some inquiries.

The wording of Compton-Smiths last letter to his wife was as follows.

“ My own Darling little wife,

I am to be shot in an hour’s time, Dearest, your hubby will die with your name on his lips; your face before my eyes and he will die like an Englishman and a soldier. I cannot tell you sweetheart how much it means to me to leave you and my sweet little daughter Annie. I leave my cigarette case to my regiment, my miniature medals to my father and my watch to the officer who is about to execute me, because I believe him to be a gentleman and to mark the fact that I bear him no malice for carrying out what he sincerely believes to be his duty.

Tender, tender farewell and kisses.

Your own “Jack””

I have read through some of the book again and can say the he was buried in the Donoughmore area of North Cork.

I will make some more inquiries in the coming week to see if anything else turns up. As a matter of interest could you tell me the name of your grandparents when they lived at Trabolgan House.

Regards,

Sean

[Guest zeroone47]

The photographs are of memorials in or near Cork. One is of a Major Compton Smith's grave and was taken about 1924. I understand that he was died in 1921 and his body found in a bog and he was interred, his wife came out to his burial. About a week later his grave was damaged and had to be replaced.

The other memorial cross is also from the Cork area but I do not know where or what it commemorates.

Can anyone help with the story behind these photographs.

Sorry, I missed Mark Hone's post, but would still like any information or references to the events. So far I have only found some from New York newspapers.

Mike

I can help with the wording on the stone

I can help with the wording on the stone

[Stanley_C_Jenkins]

There are numerous war graves and memorials throughout Ireland, including memorials in Church of Ireland churches. All of the Irish railway companies erected war memorials, that of the Great Southern & Western Railway being at Kingsbridge station (now known as Dublin Hueston) . It lists over 90 names and has the following inscription:

"In memory of the following members of the staff of the Great Southern & Western Railway who laid down their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1918."

There is a similar memorial to the men of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) who died in the Great War at Amiens Street (now Dublin Connolly). I think this also has some WWII names, as the GNRI lasted much longer than the GS&WR.

[Michael Pegum]

There is a similar memorial to the men of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) who died in the Great War at Amiens Street (now Dublin Connolly). I think this also has some WWII names, as the GNRI lasted much longer than the GS&WR.

Yes, it does. It can be seen at GNRI Memorial, with a transcription. This website aims to record memorials throughout the island of Ireland to all conflicts, and contrubutors are welcome!

[corisande]

I came across this thread as I am pulling together information on Compton Smith

Link to my notes here

If you can add anything I would be very grateful

The thing that is odd that his body was not repatriated to England, and I cannot find anything on that.

[corisande]

It would appear that his grave has been restored recently. This is dated June 2011

http://historicgraves.ie/fort-carlisle-whitegate/co-foca-001/grave

Comparing 2007 photo with 2011 photo