A small world perhaps?
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:18 pm
A story.
I was discussing Gallipoli with my 72-yo next door neighbour this morning. He is of Irish descent. I thought I was pretty good having two grandfathers in the First World War, and one of them who served on Gallipoli.
He remarked, "Well I have relations too who served with the AIF on Gallipoli. There were some brothers. O'Brien was their name..like mine"
"And they were killed there ...."
I guess at this point the story may ring a bell for some?
So I went in and pulled out a copy of Boundary Bend by Edward Harrington.
Back to my neighbour.
Were any of their names Pat, Michael and Dan? Don't think so. (but then.. poet's licence)
Were they Irish? Yes I think so.
Four graves of AIF O'Briens listed at Gallipoli.
Has Edward Harrington immortalised these warrior brothers in his marvellous poem "The Brothers O'Brien".
My neighbour was staggered. He is going to do more research...
It would be nice to find out about The Brothers O'Brien. Were they really argumentative, belligerent Irishmen? Did they even exist.. after all my neighbour is getting on a bit. Who knows I suppose. And who is left to care after all this time. Trivial perhaps?
But brave men they certainly were.
All the O'Briens. Four graves of men with lives cut short..
It is still a small world, isn't it.
I was discussing Gallipoli with my 72-yo next door neighbour this morning. He is of Irish descent. I thought I was pretty good having two grandfathers in the First World War, and one of them who served on Gallipoli.
He remarked, "Well I have relations too who served with the AIF on Gallipoli. There were some brothers. O'Brien was their name..like mine"
"And they were killed there ...."
I guess at this point the story may ring a bell for some?
So I went in and pulled out a copy of Boundary Bend by Edward Harrington.
Back to my neighbour.
Were any of their names Pat, Michael and Dan? Don't think so. (but then.. poet's licence)
Were they Irish? Yes I think so.
Four graves of AIF O'Briens listed at Gallipoli.
Has Edward Harrington immortalised these warrior brothers in his marvellous poem "The Brothers O'Brien".
My neighbour was staggered. He is going to do more research...
It would be nice to find out about The Brothers O'Brien. Were they really argumentative, belligerent Irishmen? Did they even exist.. after all my neighbour is getting on a bit. Who knows I suppose. And who is left to care after all this time. Trivial perhaps?
But brave men they certainly were.
All the O'Briens. Four graves of men with lives cut short..
It is still a small world, isn't it.