November 18: TODAY in Irish History:
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Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 
Conor is a Chicago based Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.
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1916: Battle of the Somme ends.
Irish Soldiers at Battle of Somme – probably July 1
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This dreadful battle claimed more Irish lives in combat than any other battle in history. On the first day of battle, July 1 1916, the 36th Ulster Division suffered an estimated 5,500 casualties almost all of whom were drawn from what is now Northern Ireland. Nearly 2,000 Irish soldiers were killed in the first few hours of fighting following a morning mist that poet Siegfried Sassoon referenced as “of the kind commonly called heavenly.”
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Irish Guards Gas Drill, Somme 1916
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READ: Irish Soldiers in the First World War
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READ: Ireland and World War One by Professor Keith Jeffrey
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1920: Capture of Four English Officers
House of Commons debate on capture of four English officers at Waterfall, Co. Cork by “rebels.”
Mr Pennefeather (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War (Winston Churchill) whether he had any information to impart relating to the four officers taken by force out of a train at Waterfall, County Cork, the day before yesterday, and carried off in rebel motor cars, and whether, in view of this further proof of the assistance to crime afforded by privately-owned motor cars, the Government would at once prohibit their use in the disturbed areas?
Mr. Devlin: What is a “rebel motor car”?
The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)The only information which I have at present is that two Education Officers, Captain M. H. W. Green, Lincolnshire Regiment, and Captain S. Chambers, Liverpool Regiment, and an officer of the Royal Engineers, Lieut. W. Spalding Watts, were captured by the rebels. I understand that Captain Green and Lieutenant Watts might have been witnesses of a murder of a police sergeant and that Captain Chambers was the principal witness against Father O’Donnell, who was arrested in October, 1919, for seditious speeches. Presumably, these are the reasons why they were kidnapped, but I do not know the circumstances of their capture. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member’s question, I think ample powers already exist under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. Certain restrictions regarding the use of motor vehicles are already in force, and I understand that further drastic restrictions will come into operation on 1st December.
Mr. TERRELL: Have these officers been released?
Mr.CHURCHILL: No.
1990: Death of Golfer Fred Daly
Fred Daly was the first Irish golfer to win the British Open which was played in Hoylake in 1947.
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Daly’s feat of winning the British Open in 1947 was only emulated by Padraig Harrington sixty years later. Darren Clarke in 2011 became only the third Irish golfer to win the Open Championship.
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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humorist IrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.
Visit Conor’s YouTube channel IrishmanSpeaks to Laugh and Learn.
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