october

Would you look at the state of that carpet - oops, it's a lawn !

21 October 1931 was a Wednesday ...

Plenty of court cases reported in the Waterford Standard mentioning Guard Shanahan as a witness or arresting officer. The last one was in 1944 (Thosas McGrath fined £1 for assaulting Guard Shanahan in the execution of his duty).

I wondered if after 1944 I'd find he was Sergeant Shanahan, but no (although there was a Sergeant Shanahan in Waterford mentioned in court casaes untl 1905)

Edit: after 1944 he was Garda Shanahan. Last mention of Garda Shanahan was 1952, when he was on traffic patrol in a police car in Tramore with Supt Lyons, and observed a case of dangerous driving.

Marriage record for James Shanahan, civic guard, and Catherine Walsh. 21st October 1931 in Tramore. His address is Waterford, his father James is an Engine Driver. Her address Tramore, her father John is an owner and driver of agricultural engines.

Witnesses Philip Shanahan and Margaret Walsh look like brother and sister of the couple to me.

I only see one James Shanahan Engine Driver of Foynes in the 1911 census, only 8 of his 10 children are home - this James is not among them, and no Philip either.

There is a possible Philip aged 14 in school in Blackrock, originally from co. Limerick...

Yes, birth record for Philip Shanahan, 1896 in Rathkeale, father James an Engine Driver.

Here they are in the 1901 census, James is 8, so 38 in todays shot.

On 20th May 1950 the Waterford Standard has a death notice for a James Walsh. It names as one of his nieces Kitty Shanahan of Poleberry.

This postcard was produced in many languages, a war propaganda thing?

This snippet in the Leeds Mercury on Friday 29 October 1915 mentions both personages and a train

Tuesday was devoted to visit to certain points in the French Army. After an early start at seven o’clock in the morning and breakfast in the train, His Majesty met’the French President and General Joffre, and with them proceeded to a review of the Second Colonial Corps. King George and President Poincaire drove past the whole front, and then the corps marched past.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO THE BATTLEFIELDS OF FRANCE, JULY 1917

www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060008209

AI Overview
King George V made several visits to French troops during World War I, including trips to the Somme battlefield and other areas of the Western Front. These visits aimed to boost morale among British and Allied forces, particularly during the intense fighting of the war. He also met with French military leaders and dignitaries, including President Poincaré, Generals Joffre and Foch, and Field Marshal Haig.
Here's a more detailed look at his visits:
The Somme:
In August 1916, King George V visited the Somme battlefield, where the British and French armies were engaged in a costly offensive. He met with his son, the Prince of Wales, who was serving as a staff officer with XIV Corps, and with General Rawlinson, commander of the Fourth Army. He also discussed with Rawlinson concerns about a potential "cabal" plotting to remove Haig and end the Somme offensive.
Other Visits:
In July 1917, King George V and Queen Mary visited the battlefields in France and Belgium, including areas around Calais, Bailleul, Helfaut, and La Panne. They inspected war trophies, watched demonstrations of tanks and aircraft, and met with Belgian royalty and military leaders.
Impact:
These visits were significant for boosting morale among the troops and demonstrating the British monarchy's commitment to the war effort. The King's presence on the front lines, despite the dangers, was a powerful symbol of solidarity.

And here's a picture which appeared in The Graphic on 6th November 1915.

Other newspaper accounts suggest the visit to the front took place on Tuesday 26th October, but are coy about the location. e.g. the visit visited "the village of V, three kilometres from S". The tour of the front took place between 3 pm and 5 pm.

.....and writing one of the first modern spy thrillers...

Wondering if this might his reburial in 1923 ?? It looks a bit 'fancy' for a prison.
See - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erskine_Childers_(author)#Execution

Or ... 1924?

"This photo is Hardwicke Hall, Dublin in Oct 1924. He was given an IRA Guard of Honour, 4 men at attention in shifts for 24hrs straight. My granduncle, Robert Childers, 2nd son of @erskineandmolly
was present. Molly couldn’t bare it, had collapsed with grief in the morning. " ...
From- x.com

He is said to have shaken hands with the members of his firing squad, saying, "Take a step or two forward, lads, it will be easier that way."

Hardwicke Hall

Via Trove, some more details ...

November 1922 - trove.nla.gov.au - "He was buried in a grave already prepared nearby" in Beggars' Bush Barracks.

October 1924 - trove.nla.gov.au - "Irish Rebels' Remains handed over to Relatives". "Public funerals will be held on Thursday [ed. 30/10/1924].
The bodies in the meanwhile will lie in state at different centres."

October 1924 - trove.nla.gov.au - "Wild scenes at re-interment of the executed men".