JOHN COONEY / WW1 | NAYNA PEOPLE

JOHN COONEY

John Cooney's birth registration

John Cooney was born 06/06/1881 in Spout Road to Michael Cooney and his wife Mary Flannery. There was nothing extraordinary about John’s life. He was a labourer like his father. When John married Mary Maher in 1904 he’s residing in Lisboney. Mary is recorded as being 10 years older than him. By 1911, John is living in Brewery Lane, off Dublin Road and is employed as an agricultural and town labourer. By the time he enlists in 1915, they have had five children, Michael, Bridget, John, Edward and Mary.

Spout Road/Brewery Lane residents with some identified (Jim Hanrahan, Paddy Flannery, Mary Ford, ? Butler, Bridget Butler, Michael Cooney, Molly Cooney, Jack Flannery, Kate Flannery, Nan Creagh)

John would have been 33 - 34 when he enlisted. An older enlistee for the time. I can’t imagine John would have joined in a flush of patriotism but rather was probably seduced by the promise of Separation Allowance which was being widely advertised by the posters pasted up in Nenagh, as evidenced by contemporary photos. The rates of allowance would mean that John’s family would have a steady income and be pecuniarily comfortably off while he was in service.

Marriage of John Cooney & Mary Maher 06/11/1904

John was attested on 31/03/1915 at Nenagh Military Barracks, in Summerhill. He joined the Royal Irish Regiment and was given regimental number 7631 and sent to France. At least his family would be catered for while he was in France.

John was badly wounded at Fricourt during the Battle of the Somme. At this time, and as in any conflict, a man’s survival depended on how quickly his wounds were treated. The seriously wounded would be carried by R.A.M.C. stretcher bearers to Advanced Dressing Stations. From there they would be moved to Casualty Clearing Stations where the wounded would be triaged with those beyond help having Morphia administered. After this, those who could be helped would be moved further down the line either by truck, barge or railway. Not always the most comfortable of trips for those already suffering in pain. Those who survived this journey to Base Hospital were attended to in more sterile conditions. John found himself at and was attended to at Rouen Base Hospital.

John was admitted with a gunshot wound to the back on 11/11/1916. He had total disablement and was effectively a Paraplegic. He suffered with retention of Urine and Faeces plus resulting Cystitis and bed sores. John was transferred back to Tipperary via Devonport on 15/01/1917.

John didn’t have a good war. He joined because of circumstances beyond his control and no doubt will always be a hero to his family. Reading his army file shows the matter of fact and offhand way a life is recorded, used and finally disposed off. He was a number and statistic until he was of no further use. He died of his wounds in Nenagh hospital on 21/04/1917. Private Cooney was accorded a military funeral with a large funeral cortege turning out. A detachment of R.I.C. accompanied the coffin and a band and firing party came from Limerick to honour his interment at Lisboney. Significantly and no doubt as a mark of respect, Lord Dunalley accompanied the bier.

John is one of two CWGC burials in Lisboney Old Cemetery.

Royal Irish Regiment Cap badge

John Cooney's Attestation (1)

John Cooney's Attestation (2)

Leinster Reporter 01/01/1916 advertising a public auction for the relief of wounded soldiers at the Front. The lots ranging from Livestock to Barrels of Potatoes