I Training Officer, LDF Galway
Date:1941-43 Extent:12 items

a Correspondence
Date:1941-1943 Extent:6 items

POL1/1 Scope and Content:Copy letter book of Cillian Ó Broclchaín, who served as Training Officer and later Officer Commanding, 'B' Company, 50th Rifle Battalion, based in the Galway District Local Defence Force, Eglington Road, Galway to various officers of the district. The correspondence deals mainly with the training of volunteers. Early letters deal with the procurement of rifles and ammunition, including one to a Mr. Kelly for the return of four rifles issued to his group by mistake (18 Mar 1941). Also instructions for tactical exercises in May 1941. From early 1942 he is Officer Commanding 'B' Company, 50th Rifle Battalion, and most letters are to the District Adjutant and deal with personnel matters etc. [Letters as Training Officer to Group Leader, Western District, are in Irish].
Date:5 Mar 1941-27 Jan 1943 Extent:95pp

POL1/2 Scope and Content:Note from [C O Brolchain, Training Officer], to Cpl. Sullivan giving the time and place of parade.
Date:[1941] Extent:1p

POL1/3 Scope and Content:Note from Sergeant Best to the Training Officer, giving the names of T Smyth, Number 2 Group and P Cunningham, as the trainees with the best marks.
Date:24 May 1941 Extent:1p

POL1/4 Scope and Content:Letter from [Seanie], Beairic Custuín, At Luan, to"Cilínn a Chara", explaining why Commissions are being withheld from regular NCOs for the LDF"...if the emergency finished in the morning they wold be without employment". Ends with some news of promotions in Irish on who might be made Battalion O/C.
Date:24 Feb 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/5 Scope and Content:Draft of notice to be circulated to Section Leaders and NCOs giving date and time of parade, Group, NCO, military transport due at Eglington St., and notes. Signed C O Brolchain, Training Officer.
Date:[3 May 1942] Extent:1p

POL1/6 Scope and Content:Invoice from Hodges Figgis and Co., 20 Nassau St., Dublin, to C O Brolchain, Physics Dept., University College Galway, for books relating to small arms training and tactics. Total comes to £6.13.0.
Date:12 Aug 1942 Extent:2pp

b Reports etc. relating to Training Officer
Date:1941-42 Extent:6 items

POL1/7 Scope and Content:File containing copies of elementary training syllabus for each group in the Galway West District, covering drill and basic tactics. Groups are No 1 Group, District Training Officer, No 2 Group, Cavalry, UCG Group, Bushy Park, Oranmore, Loughgeorge, Castlegar, Cullandulla, Headfort, Galway District Leader, Engineer’s Group, GBR, and Transport. Signed and approved by Padraigh S O Ceallaght, Area Officer.
Date:27 Jan 1941 Extent:75pp

POL1/8 Scope and Content:LDF plans for the Defence of Galway City District, dealing generally with blocking roads and the harbour. Also schedules for defence schemes for the eastern and western sectors, dealing with roadblocks, demolitions and lookout posts by area. Report ends with a complaint about the lack of explosives, land mines and hand grenades that would seriously undermine any defence plan.
Date:8 July 1941 Extent:8pp

POL1/9 Scope and Content:Draft notes on instruction to NCOs to fill out rolls.
Date:[1941] Extent:1p

POL1/10 Scope and Content:Target with 4 .22 bullets in it.
Date:[1941] Extent:1p

POL1/11 Scope and Content:Copy of list for night mobilisation of key men who would gather forces.
Date:27 Feb 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/12 Scope and Content:List of songs which could be sung during training, including"O Donnell Abú","Who fears to speak of '98" and"The Legion of the Rearguard".
Date:[1941/2] Extent:1p

II Officer Commanding, 'B' Company, 50th Rifle Battalion
Date:1942 Extent:25 items

a Correspondence within the Company
Date:1942 Extent:10 items

POL1/13 Scope and Content:Letter from Earnest Cawley to [C O Brolchain] stating that he cannot attend parade that day as they are cutting a bog which has to get finished. He states that he is willing to be reduced to the ranks for another with more time if appropriate.
Date:5 July 1942 Extent:2pp

POL1/14 Scope and Content:Note from C O Brolchain to George [ ] stating that there would be practice that night and asking if Sweeney could bring up the rife if George was unable to attend. He also asks if a blade sight could be made for the rifle.
Date:20 July 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/15 Scope and Content:Draft notice from C O Brolchain to volunteers of 'B' Company, 50th Rifle Battalion, ordering them to be present at the Church Parade the following Sunday in dress uniform.
Date:22 July 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/16 Scope and Content:Letter from L Darcy to [C O Brolchain] stating that he cannot attend parade that day as he is working for the Corporation.
Date:16 Aug 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/17 Scope and Content:Letter from Hugh B Naughton, Shop St., Galway, to C O Brolchain requesting a transfer from 'B' Coy., LDF, to the specialist branch known as Corrib patrol.
Date:21 Sept 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/18 Scope and Content:Letter from F Flanagan to [C O Brolchain] stating that, as he is recovering from an operation, he would be unable to attend parades until after winter.
Date:23 Sept 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/19 Scope and Content:Letter from Joe [Tummlan] (on letter headed Frank McDonagh and Co. Ltd., Galway) to Thomas [Sweeney], stating that he will be unable to attend the LDF meeting that night as he will have to cover for P Burke.
Date:3 Nov 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/20 Scope and Content:Letter from J Dolan, Acting C/S,"C" Coy., 50th Rifle Battalion, LDF to O/C, 'B' Coy., stating that Ml. Namara had attended seven parades with his company.
Date:2 Dec 1942 Extent:1p + envelope

POL1/21 Scope and Content:Letter from M Davis, P/L, 2nd Platoon, B Copy, to [C O Brolchain], asking to be excused along with two other officers from the meeting that night, and asking to meet the following Tuesday instead.
Date:n.d. Extent:1p

POL1/22 Scope and Content:Letter from Allen G Coe, New Docks, Galway, to [C O Brolchain] stating that he is leaving the LDF as he is going to England, and regretting that he has to do so.
Date:n.d. Extent:1p

b Orders, Correspondence with O/C 50th Rifle Batt
Date:1942-43 Extent:10 items

POL1/23 Scope and Content:Two unused printed postcards by L A Marie, O/C, Battalion, Galway LDF, ordering a parade at Eglinton St., Garda Station for the establishment of companies and the issuing of the"New Green Battle Dress".
Date:[28 Apr 1942] Extent:2 items

POL1/24 Scope and Content:Copy of letter from C O Brolchain, Company Leader, B Coy., 50th Rifle Battalion, to Commdt. L Marie, O/C 50th Rifle Battalion, stating that the company will be unable to mount weekend guards for Renmore Barracks as most of the company work on a Saturday.
Date:11 June 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/25 Scope and Content:Copy of circular for 50th Rifle Battalion, Galway (Seriel No 8) for Routine Battalion Orders relating primarily to Parades and notices on a Battalion Sports Day and the necessity for blood donations.
Date:10 July 1942 Extent:2pp

POL1/26 Scope and Content:Copy of newsletter for 50th Rifle Battalion, Galway (Seriel No 11), giving Battalion Routine Orders, resignations and appointment. It is issued by D Ua Murcada Adjt., 50th Rifle Btn., notes NCOs have to attend classes.
Date:15 Sept 1942 Extent:2pp

POL1/27 Scope and Content:Circular letter from L A Marie, Comdt., O/C 50th Rifle Battalion, 12 Eyre Square, Galway, to all Company and Section Leaders, in relation to the Battalion Dinner at the Eglinton Hotel, Salthill.
Date:21 Sept 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/28 Scope and Content:Circular containing Ceremonial Order 1/1942, issued by Comdt. L Marie, O/C 50th Rifle Battalion, relating to the blessing and presentation of Battalion Colours to the Battalion. Also the march past by battalion and Auxiliary Services at Galway on Sunday 11th October 1942. It gives the order of Cerimonial including the parade at UCG, and the route the Battalion march past at Eyre Square. Includes ms notes on C O Brolchain on what he has to do with 'B' Company and a plan of the parade places at UCG.
Date:30 Sept 1942 Extent:5pp

POL1/29 Scope and Content:Circular Routine Battalion Orders issued by D Ua Murchadha, Adjt. 50th Rifle Battalion, dealing primarily with the general parade orders for the upcoming parade, as well as resignations, promotions and postings.
Date:3 Oct 1942 Extent:2pp

POL1/30 Scope and Content:Circular letter from E McGiven for L A Marie, Comdt., O/C 50th Rifle Battalion, HQ 12 Eyre Square, Galway, to the C/Cs of all companies and sub-units. He orders that the form"LDF 4" is to be filled out correctly for the issuing of equipment to volunteers.
Date:10 Oct 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/31 Scope and Content:Circular letter from D Ua Murchadha, Adjt. 50th Rifle Battalion LDF, HQ 12 Eyre Square, Galway to C/C Units, relating new postings to the Battalion.
Date:15 Oct 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/32 Scope and Content:Draft of letter from C O Briohclain, O/C 'B' Coy., 50th Rifle Batt., to Comdt. L Marie, O/C 50th Rifle Batt., reporting that P/L Darcy, Bohermore, Galway had tendered his resignation as"he is not able to give it the time it deserves. Also copy of same.
Date:25 Jan 1943 Extent:2 items

c Material relating to the Training of 'B' Company
Date:1942 Extent:5 items

POL1/33 Scope and Content:Notes on address to men.
Date:n.d Extent:2pp

POL1/34 Scope and Content:Report from P J Hickey, Course Supervisor, on those present of the NCOs attending the course.
Date:1-18 June 1942 Extent:1p

POL1/36 Scope and Content:Instructions for Galway Civil Emergency Services Exercises held in Galway between 3 and 6pm. The exercises revolve around a series of bomb attacks and control of looting. It notes that exercises will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather.
Date:6 July 1942 Extent:4pp

POL1/37 Scope and Content:Ms orders and notes in relation to the defence of the west end of Snipe Lane which is a part of night exercises, also giving the scenario and what is expected of the participants.
Date:17 Nov 1942 Extent:1p

III Request for recommendation from Charles R Dalton
Date:1942 Extent:1 item

POL1/38 Scope and Content:Letter from Charles Dalton, PO Box 2, Maynooth, Co Kildare, to Cilian O Briohclain, asking him to drop a line to Tony Houlihan outlining his service certificate and medal. He states that he is now a Signals Officer in the 2nd Division. Enclosed copy of letter from M Conlon, Senator, Dail Éireann, Leinster House, Dublin to the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Parkgate St., Dublin, outlining the service record of Charles R Dalton and recommending him for a service medal (1 April 194[1]). Also copy of letter from Charles R Dalton, Lieutenant, to Officer of Director of Signals, Department of Defence, Parkgate St., Dublin, applying for a service medal/ribbon, for his time served in the IRA from 1919 to 1922. He outlines his service in the Fianna and his carrying out of intelligence and signaling work for the volunteers. He had applied for the Tipperary Flying Column but was kept in Signals. He participated on a raid in Glasnevin Post Office (7 April 1941).
Date:9 Aug 1942 Extent:3 items