James Daly


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Posted by Murrisk on July 01, 2001 at 21:08:09:

On June 28, 1920, five men of the Connaught Rangers in Julllundur barracks, India, informed an NCO that they could no longer obey orders because of British Army atrocities in Ireland. One soldier relented, but the other four were sent to the guard house. By that afternoon 200 Rangers were refusing orders. Another group of 70 Rangers at Solon also refused to carry out their duties and peacefully surrendered their arms. However, fearful of attack and reprisals, this group led by private James Daly of Tyrrellspas, Co.Westmeath, stormed the magazine in an attempt to retake their arms. The soldiers in the magazine opened fire and two mutineers (Sears and Smyth) were killed and another wounded.

In total, 61 Rangers were found guilty of mutiny - 47 were given prison sentences and 14 were sentenced to death. In the end 13 of those death sentences were commuted to prison sentences (James Daly was the only one excuted). On July 3, 1920, James Daly was sentenced to death. He was executed by firing sqaud on November 2, 1920, 7 weeks short of his 21st birthday.

On July 9, 1921, the Truce between the I.R.A. and the British Army in Ireland took effect and, on December 6, 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in London. Following the signing of the Treaty many of the mutineers were given early release.

In 1970 the bodies of the two mutineers killed at Solon, Sears and Smyth , and that of James Daly were brought home to Ireland. They were interred in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.


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