Sir,—The short article by Lar Joye on ‘British Army First World War campaign medals’ (HI 29.6, Nov./Dec. 2021) was somewhat interesting. Readers may be interested to know that the British Expeditionary Force referred to was created by Lord Haldane, Secretary of State for War in 1907. It consisted of 120,000 men and had been trained … Read more
Sir,—Joseph E.A. Connell Jr writes (100 Years Ago, HI 29.6, Nov./Dec. 2021): ‘Later de Valera told the Dáil “now I would like everybody clearly to understand that the plenipotentiaries went over to negotiate a Treaty, that they could differ from the Cabinet if they wanted to, and that in anything of consequence they could take … Read more
Sir,—‘On This Day’ in the last issue (HI 30.1, Jan./Feb. 2022) omits the worst modern sea tragedy in home waters on 31 January 1953. In the early afternoon the passenger car ferry Princess Victoria foundered in a Force 12 gale on its route from Stranraer to Larne. On board were 51 crew and 128 passengers. … Read more
Sir,—I think your editorial (HI 30.1, Jan./Feb. 2022) somewhat misses the point regarding opinion polls. I think that a united Ireland may well come in the not-too-distant future, but it will not be the sort of Ireland we would want. It will not be decided by referenda, or the will of the people or any … Read more