English volunteers who fought in the Easter Rising

There's an interesting article in the Irish Post today, looking at the story of a gent from Manchester called Liam Parr, who travelled to Ireland to participate on the side of Irish republicans in the Easter Rising. Following the Rising he was imprisoned in Wales, and eventually saw out his days in Stockport. The full story is at http://irishpost.co.uk/yorkshire-family-unearth-the-hidden-past-of-their-heroic-easter-rising-ancestor/.

The tale is one that features in a new book by Robin Stocks, entitled Hidden Heroes of Easter Week: Memories of Volunteers from England who joined the Easter Rising, The book also has its own dedicated web page at https://hiddenheroesofeasterweek.wordpress.com, where copies can be ordered. Here's the blurb:

In the middle of the Great War, members of the Irish community in British cities resolved to travel to Dublin to prepare for a rebellion to achieve Independence for Ireland.

The part played by the Manchester Volunteers has never before been made public; at last this exciting story of the Easter Rising and its build up can be brought to life in the words of those who took part.

Here are the experiences of a group of ordinary Volunteers who spent Easter Week under fire behind barricades or in the GPO. It concentrates on the human stories of two of them, a piper and a political radical, and also of their friend from Dublin who fought with the women’s volunteers, the Cumann na mBan.

This book captures the rebellious spirit of those times when Volunteers from England fought for Irish independence and to create a fairer world.

This project has come to fruition because many, many people have cooperated in sharing their memories and knowledge. For too long this part of our history had been suppressed, but now that it can be told, I hope that publishing this book will encourage others to come forward with their memories. I would love to hear from anyone who would like to contribute to this developing project. Perhaps between us we can ensure that no one remains a hidden hero of Easter Week. Please contact the author at the email or address below.

220 pages-Paperback-44 Illustrations including some unique period photographs.
ISBN: 978-0-9934399-0-2
£14.99.


NB: Don't forget also that my own new book, A Decade of Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923 is also now available to help you trace stories like that of Liam Parr and others who participated, both on the British and Irish sides of the Home Rule debate, the Suffragette struggle, the fight for workers' rights, the First World War, Easter Rising, War of Independence, Partition and the eventual civil war in the Irish Free State.

The ebook edition is available at www.gen-ebooks.com/a-decade-of-centenaries-researching-ireland-1912.html, and the print edition in Australia is at www.gould.com.au/A-Decade-of-Centenaries-Researching-Ireland-1912-p/utp0288.htm. I've just had confirmation that it will also be available very shortly in the UK from My History (www.my-history.co.uk).  Once the UK edition is available I'll provide another update.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.