that this time Ireland was going to win her Freedom, and that he had better recognise that fact. I never saw him again! Some two weeks later, one Sunday morning around 6:30 a.m., we were told to pack and be ready by 7 a.m. We were then to assemble in the main hall. Very soon we were loaded into Military lorries and, guarded by a platoon of soldiers armed to the teeth, we started on our way to Southampton. Then, on to a British sloop and off to Cork. During that entire journey we were not once permitted to come up on deck but were kept in the hold below, where we almost suffocated. On arrival at the Harbour Board Commissioner's Quay, the sudden idea struck me of writing a note, giving information of our return and asking the finder to please hand it to some friendly person or persons. On being moved from the sloop, during the night, to some lorries awaiting us, we were chained in groups of eight by sets of chain-handcuffs; still, I somehow managed to drop the note and, very fortunately, it was found and delivered that same morning. We were taken to Cork Military Detention Barracks and here, once again, we encountered a bullying British Sergeant Major. He did all he could trying to intimidate us but failed completely in his efforts. One day, and sensing our hostility, he tried to impress us with his authority by taking a British soldier severely to task for the "crime" of singing a song. This [29] caused Mick Sheehan to step up, tap him on the shoulder (an even worse "crime" to such a type of bully) and quietly ask if one were at least permitted to breathe in this place. The Sergeant Major nearly had a fit of apoplexy and stalked off spluttering with rage accompanied by our sniggering. One day, Frank Glasgow (Limerick) and I had some visitors who, very kindly, brought cigarettes for us. On our way back to our cells, the Sergeant Major stopped us in the main hall yelling that we would be searched. (I knew if that happened, it would be fatal and the cigarettes would immediately be taken from us). So, 1 asked him quietly and politely, "But why and what for? I haven't anything on me." In his best cockney, and eying me up and down, he barked at me, "Bill Bailey never took the word of any man yet" "I don't know Bill Bailey", I replied, "but you can tell him from me that he certainly is NO gentleman." Snarling back at me he said with scorn, "For your information, I am Bill Bailey". (This, I knew, of course), and then I only said, "Well, that's fine, and I have already given you my opinion." He got so flustered that he completely forgot to carry out his threat to search us but only barked, "Get back to your cells" The boys were overjoyed later when I gave them some of the cigarettes and when they could finally have a fervently longed-for smoke. One week later, joined by some of our lads but, leaving Thady Kelly and others behind, we were again chained for an overseas trip. Prior to this, several of our boys had been tried. We all had to appear before three English officers to hear our sentences. We had warned our lads that, no matter what sentence they were given, not to make any complaint. Ahead of me was Frank Glasgow from Limerick who had a slight stammer. I was delighted when I later heard that, on being given two years penal servitude, Frank had said to the officers "Th-thanks for n-nothing!” Incidentally, Frank was totally innocent of the charge for which he was convicted. Quite understandably, a number of our lads were most unhappy at their sentences but, alas, that too was part of the game. [30] One day, Maurice Crowe, John Crawford, and I were all brought out to the exercise yard there to be photographed. Although 1 knew it was perfectly useless, still, I vigorously protested it. But the notorious and very hostile Captain Kelly, British Intelligence Officer for that area, told me in no uncertain terms where I stood and what my position was. This man was known to be dangerous and I was glad to now have an opportunity and see him display it. As the second officer wrote down the details, Kelly rapped them out in quick-fire fashion proving beyond a doubt, the amazing efficiency he had for his work and position. When the other officer asked if I were flat footed, Kelly snapped back at him,
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