ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1013-21 ...

12.saved the day, as he kept the soldiers pinned down on the roadwith rapid fire from his parabellum whilst the main partywere withdrawn, Later, we learned that two British soldierswere killed and three wounded and that General Lucas, who hadescaped from I.R.A. custody on the previous night, was in thelorry, having been picked up by the military at Pallas.From Quinn's we went back to Rafferty's of Acroboy andlater, to O'Dwyer's of Ballananstown. The owner of this housewas a brother of Sir Michael O'Dwyer of India and Punjab famebut we were made welcome and given chicken for our supper.The brigade flying column was established in September1920, and assembled for the first time at Barlow's of Shrough.Its initial personnel were: Sean Hogan, Dinny Lacey and PaddyMoloney, battalion officers; Michael Fitzpatrick and Jerry Kielyof A/Company; Torn Bellew and Martin (Sparky) Breen of B/Company;Brian Shanahan and Pake Ryan of D/Company; Tadhg Crowe (self)and Michael (Booleen) Ryan of E/Company; Matt Barlow and PakeDalton of H/Company; John Joe O'Brien, Sean Wnch and BillFraher of Galbally, making a total strength of 16, and laceywas appointed 0/C. pro tem.The column moved into the Glen of Aherlow where a periodof training was done. It took a while for the people amongstwhom we billeted to become accustomed to having armed mentraining and wandering around in their midst. However, whenthe first shock of surprise wore off, they welcomed us andcatered for us with a will. At Grantstown we were joined bya party of nine men from the 3rd Battalion which included NedO'Reilly, Jim O'Gorman and my old friend of Soloheadbeg, PaddyO'Dwyer. A meeting of the column to elect a permanent columnleader was held at Grantstown. Seamus Robinson, the Brigade0/C., presuded and there were two proposals-Dinny Lacey andNed O'Reilly. Lacey was elected with the support of the 4thBattalionmen.