Augusta Caroline Dillon Clonbrock, Lady Clonbrock (1840-1928) was a prominent member of the Irish Women’s Association, founded to provide aid and assistance to Irish soldiers and prisoners of war. She was the wife of Luke Gerald Dillon (1834-1917), the 4th Baron of Clonbrock, Co. Galway and the daughter of Lord Crofton of Mote Park (Edward Henry Churchill Crofton, 3rd Baron), Co. Roscommon. Aged 75 at the outbreak of war, Lady Clonbrock, worked closely with the Irish Women’s Association to send basic necessities to Irish POWs. Many of her care packages went to members of the Connaught Rangers imprisoned in Limburg near Cologne.
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Letter from John Burns to Lady Clonbrock, 2 July 1916
Postcard from a prisoner of war, John Burns, to Lady Clonbrock (1840-1928). In this letter Burns informs Lady Clonbrock that he is receiving the groceries safely except for the bread. He adds that the POWs have been put to work in the factories and foundries, Burns himself has been assigned to the iron foundry.
Letter from B. Maguire to Lady Clonbrock, 15 October 1916
Letter from a prisoner of war, B. Maguire, South Lancashire Regiment, to Lady Clonbrock (1839-1928). Maguire was then a prisoner of war in a camp in Limburg, Germany. He writes that he had received a postcard stating that bread had been sent to him but he had yet to receive it. He also notes that he has received one of the two parcels of cigarettes that Lady Clonbrock had sent. Maguire enquires about his wife at home, the health of Lady Clonbrock and her family and mentions that he is in good health but the weather is cold in the camp.
Listen to an audio-feature about Lady Clonbrock’s correspondence on Soundcloud:
Letter from Alfred Gerald Crofton to Lady Clonbrock, 13 December 1915 (National Library of Ireland)
Read the analysis of a featured letter by Dr Brian Hughes:
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Letter from Alfred Crofton to Lady Clonbrock, 1 October 1916 (National Library of Ireland) |
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 Alfred Crofton and Lady Clonbrock at dinner | Image: Salt Spring Archives |
Over 210,000 Irish men, all volunteers, served in the British armed forces during the Great War. This letter is an important part of the story of the contribution of the Irish diaspora to the Great War and serves as a reminder of the varied and complex nature of Irish involvement in that war. Alfred Crofton enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on 10 December 1915. |