The Scanlon Family.

Simone Hickey MA Historical and Heritage Studies writes:

The Great War 1914 - 1918 was one of the most destructive military campaigns in history, resulting in millions of casualties on a scale never seen before. Spanning a four-year period, it was a global affair affecting nations all over the world and changing the face of Europe forever. Over 200,000 Irishmen fought in the conflict, with an estimated 50,000 killed. Although on the fringe of Europe, Sligo did not escape the effects of war. The exact number of volunteers from Sligo is unknown, as the majority of soldiers’ Service Records were lost as a result of enemy bombing during the Second World War (those that were saved are referred to as the “Burnt Documents”).

However, it is estimated that over 5,000 men from Sligo, or with Sligo connections, fought in the Great War. As conscription was never enforced in Ireland, all these men enlisted voluntarily. Many were members of the same family; father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and brother-in-law, and many families lost more than one member.

 One such family was the Scanlon family who lived in 7, Upper New St., Sligo.

Thomas and Catherine (Kate) originally from Sligo, moved to Armagh and Ballina, before returning to settle in Sligo in 1900 with their seven children; two boys and five girls. Bernard, the eldest son, was born in Sligo in 1894. Thomas (Tommy) was born in Armagh in 1898. Thomas Snr was a master tailor and, following in his footsteps, both sons joined Henry Lyons Company Ltd Sligo as apprentice tailors.

At the outbreak of war, aged 20, Bernard enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was sent overseas in August 1914 taking part in the Battle of Mons. Following his brother, Tommy, aged 17, arrived in France on 3 May 1915; a soldier with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.  At that time, the legal age limit for armed service overseas was 19, which implies Tommy lied about his age in order to enlist.

During the battle of St Julien in August 1915, Tommy was wounded but made a full recovery. After fighting at the Battle of Givenchy he was transferred to the Machine Gun Infantry as a result of his competence in machine gunnery.

Both Bernard and Tommy fought in some of the worst battles of the Great War. On 1 July 1916, the infamous Battle of the Somme began. This was to be the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army. By the end of the day, the British Forces had suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 fatalities; gaining just three square miles of territory.

Both brothers, in their respective battalions, went “over the top that day”, possibly unaware that each was engaged in the same battle. Tommy, was shot in the head and subsequently died. Along with Tommy, twelve other men from Sligo or with Sligo connections lost their lives that day, 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

The following letter was written by Bernard informing his father of Tommy’s death and it appeared in the Sligo Champion 24 July 1916. It reads:

“Field, 9th July, 1916

Dear Father – It is with the most profound feelings of regret that I write you, as what I have to say will come as a great shock, that is if you have not already received official notification of the sad news. Poor Tommy has been killed in the fighting which is at present going on. I have had a letter from his sergeant, who informs me that he was struck by a bullet from a machine gun, and that death was instantaneous. It is something to know that the poor chap had not to suffer any pain before crossing the Great Divide. The date on which the sad affair occurred was 1st July 1916, whilst the regiment was taking part in the advance, and the sergeant adds that Tommy met his death in the true soldierly spirit with a laugh upon his lips and bravely facing the enemy. This would seem to point to the fact that he was prepared, and that the hereafter held no terrors for him. All his little personal belongings and letters are being forwarded to me, and I will have them sent home as soon as possible after I get them. Well, dear father, I suppose you will feel this sorrow more keenly than I, his brother, if that be possible. We have, however, some consolation of knowing that Tommy is now happy beyond mortal ken in the glorious presence of his Maker, where all his trials are forgotten and no human intervention can again harm him. We must bow to the will of God. Bear up, father, as nothing will result from that. Good-bye for the present, and may God bless you and guard you in your great sorrow.

 Your loving son,

BERNARD.”

Shortly after writing this letter Bernard himself was injured. He went on to make a full recovery and re-join his battalion at the front. The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days with a total of 420,00 British casualties. Unfortunately, just four months after Tommy died, Bernard was killed in action.

Thomas and Kate Scanlon lost both their sons in this terrible war.

The bodies of 72,396 British servicemen killed at the Somme were never recovered. The Thiepval Memorial records the names of these soldiers. Both Bernard and Tommy have no known graves and their names are inscribed on the walls of this memorial, along with 49 more Sligo men.