Document of the Month

Records of the Republican Soldiers’ Casualty Committee – Arthur Weekes, 24 May 1928

The Records of the Republican Soldiers’ Casualty Committee held in UCD Archives consist of 72 completed forms presented to the Committee for members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the 1st Dublin Brigade Area killed throughout the period from the 1916 Rising to the aftermath of the Civil War. They relate mainly to members of the 2nd Battalion but forms for some Friendly Citizens and members of the Irish Citizen Army and Fianna Éireann are also included. Forms include personal details, a summary of military record, and particulars of the date, place and circumstances of death. The forms were submitted to the Committee in July 1928.

An interesting example is the form of Arthur Weekes (Neill). Weekes had an address in Norwich, England and was a German by birth. He worked as a chef at Shelbourne Hotel and belonged to the German Communists Party and Irish Socialist Party. He joined the Irish Citizen Army in November 1915 and was killed in action in Moore Lane at the evacuation of General Post Office on 29 April 1916.

UCDA P156/66 Records of the Republican Soldiers’ Casualty Committee. Form for Arthur Weekes, 24 May 1928

REPUBLICAN SOLDIERS CASUALTY COMMITTEE

(1^ST DUBLIN BRIGADE AREA)

(Please fill in legibly in Ink)

No.                                                        

Reserve

Surname                                             

Weekes (Neill)

Christian name (in full)                  

Arthur

Address                                               

Norwich, England

Home address (if not identical)

Profession, Trade or Occupation

Cheff [sic]

Whether married or single          

Single

Unit                                                      

Irish Citizen Army            

Rank                                                     

Volunteer

Date of Death                                   

29 April 1916     

Place of Death                                  

Moore Lane

Circumstances of Death                

Killed in action. Killed in Moore Lane at the evacuation of General Post Office

Names of Co. O/C and Batt. O/C at time of death                              

Christopher Poole Capt., James Connolly

Military Record (Including length of Service)

Joined Irish Citizen Army November 1915 was a thoroughly good Soldier. Length of Service 6 months.

Any other relevant particulars    

was a German by birth. Worked as Cheff [sic] at Shelbourne Hotel belong to German Communists

Party and Irish Socialist Party.

Chairman Batt. Committee.

(Signed)                                              

Chairman Executive Committee. Oscar Traynor

Harry Colley Hon. Sec.

Date                                                     

24 May 1928