Death centenary of Terryglass Volunteer
Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society will hold a commemoration event this Sunday to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Private John Fox, Terryglass.
John/Jack Fox was born to Michael and Mary Fox, Terryglass, on January 12, 1904. Michael had the post office in the village at the time. Michael was also a carpenter and Jack worked with him prior to joining the Volunteers.
During the War of Independence in 1920 Jack joined the local Volunteers, Terryglass Company, 1st Tipperary Brigade, IRA. He was a member of the IRA group, Signal Corps, 3rd Southern Division, under Comdt Michael McCormack, who took over Birr Military Barracks from the evacuating British forces in February 1922.
He died on Friday, March 24, 1922, aged 18, after a brief illness, in Crinkle Barracks, Birr, Co Offaly, and was buried with full military honours in the family plot in Finnoe graveyard, Kilbarron, on Sunday, March 26, 1922.
This Sunday, March 27, Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society will commemorate John Fox at in Finnoe Graveyard at 3pm.
FUNERAL OF JOHN FOX, 1922
After a brief illness in Birr Barrack, whither he had gone to follow the life of a soldier of Ireland, John Fox, of Terryglass, passed away to his reward on Friday, March 24. Go ndéanaigh Dia trócaire ar a anam.
Just turned 18 summers in the bloom of boyhood, he yielded up his young life. To his bereaved family and his friends, our deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes forth.
On Saturday the remains accompanied by motor escort, reached Terryglass Church. The coffin, draped in the tri-colour, was conveyed by motor hearse and this was followed by a guard of honour from Birr Barracks; next followed the relatives. Many motors were in attendance.
The following were represented - Third Southern Div. F. Cronin, Div. Q.M.; North Tipp. Brigade. W. Hoolan (Brigadier). F. O’Leary (Adjutant); 4th Batt., M. Hough (Commandant), S Gleeson (Adjutant); Terryglass Co. W. Guest (Capt), M Tierney, P Hogan, J. Glynn, M. Burchell, R. Guest.
On its arrival at the Church the local volunteer company gave the salute to the remains, and having carried the coffin on their shoulders into the Church, the Rosary and prayers were repeated in Irish. A guard kept watch by the coffin until removal for interment.
The following day, Sunday, the funeral cortege wended its way to the family graveyard at Finnoe, a distance of five miles from Terryglass. Departing from the church, the draped coffin was carried on the shoulders of pall bearers from the Terryglass Coy. for a distance of a quarter of a mile and there placed in the hearse, which was followed by mourning carriages.
An armed guard from Military Barracks Birr, kept pace by the hearse. The several companies of Fourth Batt. turned out in full marching strength to do honour to their dead comrade. Portumna and Birr were also strongly represented. Birr Piper’s Band was in attendance and played in plaintive strains "Wrap the Green Flag Round Me" along the route.
At last, the coffin rests on the newly dug earth from the grave; the wreaths and tri colour shine resplendent in the full glare of sunshine; two cordons are formed round the grave; the firing party have taken up position; the pall bearers retreat behind; now a sharp, clear voice is heard issuing orders; rifles are reversed, and with bowed, uncovered heads the firing squad await the reading of the burial service.
The officiating clergy man has completed the Catholic ceremonies; now is heard "Ár nAthair" in the soft musical accents of the Gael.
The wreaths are removed from the coffin and the tricolour folded up; the last post is sounded, and three volleys rock the groves with echoes. All is finished; the last green sod is laid over the grave, and with tender care the wreaths are placed as a last loving offering.
- Extract from the Nenagh
Guardian, March 1922