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Photocopy of a letter from Patrick Hickey, ‘C’ Company Irish Brigade, c/o Caixa Postal 71 or 74, Lisbon, Portugal, reassuring his parents of his wellbeing and describing life in the trenches: ‘did you not get my other letters I wrote 6 of them so did Teddy [Ryan] and Frank [Hempenstall] they were in a bad way when I told them about not getting there letters at home… you saw in the papers about some of our fellows being killed it was pretty tough as they were very nice chaps, our Company was leading the attack that day and not one of us was hurt, we are up beside Madrid now we can see it in the distance it look very big from where we are’.

Photocopy of a diary of Thomas Hayes, Tralee, county Kerry, former Legionnaire in ‘D’ Company of Irish Brigade, with first page stating ‘From Dec 12th to ? Thomas Hayes, 54 Upper Rock Street Tralee. Diary of every happening from day to day from above date from Tralee to Spain to join Irish Brigade of General Franco’s Army.’ Records daily entries on experiences including leaving Tralee on Saturday 12 December 1936 for Spain, life on board the German ship, S.S. Urundi, noting on Tuesday 15 December, ‘In bed all day very sick… Weather is bad… A lot sick one man broke leg other scalded when ship swayed’, also noting land sighted, trip to Salamanca and the ensuing reception on Saturday 19 December 1936, stating ‘Thousands to meet us here. Eat grand dinner & after had a party. Were made drunk on wine’, followed by arrival at Cáceres and meeting with General Eoin O’Duffy, noting on Monday 21 December, ‘Addressed by General O’Duffy. Told us we were going up the line to Madrid shortly after xmas’. Also records receipt of uniform and rifle, writing first letter home on 3 February 1937, and inspection visit by General Franco, stating ‘Sat Feb. 6th 1937 at Cáceres Barracks inspection of Irish Brigades & marched past General Franco making the salute. He said he was very pleased with The Irish Brigade’. A lso records the capture of Malaga by Franco, receipt of payment, noting on Sunday 14 February 1937, ‘Monday received new pair of boots & got 15 pesetas’, moving towards front lines in Madrid and casualties in cross-fire with friendly troops, noting on Thursday 18 February, ‘Upon sight the Spaniards opened fire on the leading company led by Capt O’Sullivan & Lieut. T. Hyde, resulting in the loss of the latter & Daniel Tuiete, Tralee, R.I.P. & some Spanish officers & men amounting… to about 5 dead & about 4 wounded’. In addition, records battle in Ciempozuelos and lives lost, and reaching Madrid, visit from General O’Duffy noting on Saturday 17 April 1937, ‘He gave a great speech & he told us we were going home to Ireland forthwith & we were disbanded’, return to headquarters in Cáceres to get cleaned up, and the final journey home noting ‘June 21st 2 P.M. set feet on Irish soil. Left Dublin at 9 P.M. Landed in Tralee 3.15 A.M. Tuesday. Big reception in Dublin – Split with O’Duffy’.

Photocopy of a list of volunteers from the Kerry section of the Irish Brigade, under the command of General Eamon A. Horan, noting names and places of origin, which in the majority of cases is Tralee, with some from Ballyheigue. Also lists status, recording in the case of Tom Hayes, ‘machine gun co’, and those killed in action.

Photocopy of a letter from General Eoin O’Duffy of Irish Brigades, “Farney”, Merrion Park, Blackrock, county Dublin, to Tom Hayes, noting that he has sent Hayes’ certificate and the annual anniversary mass, ‘18 members of the Brigade have gone to their eternal reward R.I.P. & many others are in poor health since their [return]’, and also states ‘it would have been proud day for the Irish Bde to lead in the victorious march into Madrid yesterday: But it not to be. The British & Irish governments insured that. Concludes ‘“Time will justify our motive, we seek no praise, we did our duty, we went to Spain”’.

Photocopy of passenger list from the S.S. Aguila, Yeoward Line, noting names and place of origin of passengers bound for Lisbon, Madeira, Las Palmas, Tenerife and tourist round cruise.

Photocopy of a letter from the Secretary of General Eoin O’Duffy, 12 Pearse Street, Dublin to [Mrs. McCloskey], stating that in response to ‘your letter of February 3rd. to General O’Duffy re – Leo McCloskey. Dublin Road. Drogheda, the General now asks me to let you know that McCloskey is doing well, a splendid fellow, and he is very proud of him’.

Mostly photocopies of routine orders signed by Officers Commanding of the Irish Brigade, Major Patrick Dalton, Captain Diarmuid O’Sullivan [O’Suilleabhain] and Captain Padraig Quinn, referring to messages received and regulations regarding areas such as lights out, divine service, commendations, casualties, decrease in strength, transfers, promotions, inspection of equipment, cleanliness, parades, military service pensions, army reserve, unemployment, old currency notes and returning to Ireland. Also includes copy of blank form to be completed by the brigade, noting the strength of the troops composing the company, which records information about officers, non-commissioned officers, troops and livestock of each bandera and company under the following headings: ‘Yesterday’s strength’, ‘effectives’, ‘Total’, ‘casualties’ and ‘There Remain’.

Photocopy of a visa page from a passport with a stamp from the Ardeola and from Estado Spanol, Lisbon.

Photocopy of a document for Officer Commanding of ‘C’ Company, signed by Major Patrick Dalton, Officer Commanding, Bandera Headquarters to 15th Bandera del Tercio, listing badges of rank of non-commissioned officers of the Banderas Irlandesas, including Sergeant Major, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant and Corporal.

Photocopy of a signature of Matthew J. Beckett with a stamp of the Irish Brigade.