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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Rathlad on Wednesday 25 January 17 21:59 GMT (UK)
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Irish patriot who fired the only shots outside of Dublin Easter week during the Rebellion of 1916 in Ireland were fired by this man in Firies Co. Kerry.
Wounded two Officers posting martial law posters April 29th 1916, was a dispatch messenger to local volunteer units with news of the rebellion in dublin and subsequent arrival of orders.
He fled to Australia via England then the USA. Known details as follows.
Address used was Post Office Allora Queensland, later Toowoomba.
Born 1898 Longfield, Firies, Killarney, Kerry, Ireland
Parents names Michael and Anne Riordan.
Immigration from USA to Australia c.1927
Occupation after immigration, was in Australian army and was injured and discharged was a family lore story?
Pension application for activities during the Rebellion in Ireland Easter week 1916.
Died 15th June 1947 in Jubilee Park, Curzon Street, Toowoomba of Pneumonia and Toxemia
Buried 17th June Toowoomba Cemetery.
Commemorated with a plaque on the pillar of the local church in Firies.
Interested in any records to confirm service in Australian army or any occupations or places of residence prior to falling on hard times and eventual death.
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A search for James RIORDAN in Australian military records - inter war and WWII, gave no suitable hits.
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Thank you, it may not have been an accurate story after all.
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I am not understanding the dates you have posted. Are you saying that he came to Australia after April 1916, then went to America, then came back in 1927?
Debra :)
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National Archives of Australia : http://naa.gov.au/collection/search/
I searched their online index for James RIORDAN and noticed THREE files that have not yet been digitised. Two are held with their Queensland archives and one is with their Western Australia archives. All three seem to be for the same chap (service number 2881) and all commence for service during WWI.
Barcode 32543044 covers 1916 - 1954 and Repatriation Medical case files for First World War
Barcode 32456758 covers 1918 - 1954 and Pension case files, single number series with 'C' (First World War ex-servicemen) prefix
Barcode 32486240 covers 1919 - 1920 and Assistance and medical files, 1914/18 War, single number series with 'R' prefix (This is the WA one)
Of course, that's info from the online INDEX, so there's likely to be more details in the actual files, hopefully including age/date of birth or next of kin, or other sensitive identifying information that will help confirm or eliminate that James from your family tree.
JM
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Do you have a copy of the Queensland BDM's death registration? There's often quite detailed information on their registrations.
1947
Ref C2409
James RIORDAN
Parents Michael RIORDAN and Anna LONGFIELD
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/family-history-research/
JM
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National Archives of Australia : http://naa.gov.au/collection/search/
I searched their online index for James RIORDAN and noticed THREE files that have not yet been digitised. Two are held with their Queensland archives and one is with their Western Australia archives. All three seem to be for the same chap (service number 2881) and all commence for service during WWI.
Barcode 32543044 covers 1916 - 1954 and Repatriation Medical case files for First World War
Barcode 32456758 covers 1918 - 1954 and Pension case files, single number series with 'C' (First World War ex-servicemen) prefix
Barcode 32486240 covers 1919 - 1920 and Assistance and medical files, 1914/18 War, single number series with 'R' prefix (This is the WA one)
Of course, that's info from the online INDEX, so there's likely to be more details in the actual files, hopefully including age/date of birth or next of kin, or other sensitive identifying information that will help confirm or eliminate that James from your family tree.
JM
There is also a digitised file available...not the right chap
RIORDAN James : Service Number - 2881 : Place of Birth - Sydney NSW : Place of Enlistment - Kalgoorlie WA : Next of Kin - (Mother) RIORDAN Mary
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8032643
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Agh .... thanks CupofLife for eliminating that.
JM
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Thanks for all the replies, i was in bed here in the Northern Hemisphere ;)
James was born in Ireland and had to flee as a young man after his wounding two RIC Officers in his local village. He fled in secret to England and then America almost immediately where he spent a number of years before emigrating to Australia c. 1927 but this date could be +/- 5 years. The story of his possible enlistment and subsequent injury and discharge from the Australian army was a family story told to me by a descendant of his. We have some digitized correspondence between him and the Irish Government as part of his pension application for his brief service for the Irish Volunteers in Ireland. Also have his death cert but i am not sure how to post an image.
Also is there an option to thank individual replies on this forum?
I have made a query to the Queensland Library regarding any info they might have from electoral rolls etc. thanks to some kind advice received by pm from a member on here, not sure if they want their name mentioned so wont for now.
This brave man appears to have met a sad end as he seems to have never received the small pension approved for him by the Irish Government going by records on his pension file.
Interested in finding out his movements and life while in Australia.
Regards all.
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Possibly?
REARDON JAMES : Service Number - Q119061 : Date of birth - 04 Nov 1903 : Place of birth - KERRY IRELAND : Place of enlistment - TOOWOOMBA QLD : Next of Kin - REARDON PATRICK
"...Address used was Post Office Allora Queensland, later Toowoomba."
Who did he contact....the person who knew he was in Australia?. Do you have the death certificate.
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Great find wivenhoe :) :)
It says Allora on locality at enlistment here
http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?serviceId=A&veteranId=79797
Ros
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Thats fantastic, many thanks wivenhoe and rosball. Are Service Records available anywhere i wonder? He was born in 1898 but wold not be surprising that he would have given a false one as he had fled from Ireland as a wanted man. His father was Michael but his brother, also a rebel, was Patrick hence why he may have given Patrick as fathers name. I will do a search for other James Riordans born in Ireland from 1898-1903 and see what i find also just in case.
I have the death cert.
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I found the Civil record of his birth online as follows-
Born 4th November 1896 Longfield, Firies, Father Michael Riordan, mother Anne Riordan (nee Moynihan).
Any help with his Service Record for his 3rd Sept 1941 to 26th July 1943 service would be appreciated. I will see what the National Archives Of Australia have.
Regards and Happy Australia Day ;D
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I did look at electoral rolls but couldn't see anyone by that name in the Allora area. Will check REARDON.
James REARDON enlisted with the CMF for home service.
We need to try and confirm this man's identity before you go ordering a record, the cost is now $75.90 Blimey :o :o
Debra :)
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Yes Rathlad, the full records are available at http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
but they cost money (about $30 I think). And this is still speculative.
I'm trying to find another James Reardon with father Patrick to rule this one out. But so far ...
Ros
red warning : Wow $79.50 :o
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I actually said O M G and it came out as 'blimey', how funny is that. Not a word I would normally use, maybe RootsChat needs an Australian version ;D
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Thanks Dundee/Rosball, i will "hold fire" so ;)
That's 54 in our money, happy to pay it if it would be the correct record.
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The Army record, which you did not have, gives reference to Allora. You already had Allora as an address. Where did that come from?.
James gives NOK as Patrick REARDON. Do you know this Patrick REARDON?.
The death record has parents' names, which suggests that there is an informant with good knowledge of James.
Can you please list all the information on the death certificate.
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Allora Post Office his address came from his pension application to the Irish Sate in writing in 1937, his death cert info is as follows.
When died and where: Jubilee Park, Curzon Street, Toowoomba, 15th June 1947
Profession trade or occupation: None
Cause of death: Toxcemia, Pneumonia
Name and surname of father / mother, Michael and Anne Riordan, Longfield
Name of Informant: John Rastie, Personal friend, 2 Laurel Lane, Toowoomba.
Buried: 17th June 1947 Toowoomba Cemetry
Where born and how long in Australian States: Firies, Kerry, Ireland, about 20 years in Australia.
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What claim did he have for a pension, in 1937, when he would have been 39 years old?.
What was the outcome of the claim?.
Who is Patrick REARDON?
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Hi Wivenhoe,
Reardon / Riordan are versions of one and the same surname.
As i mentioned earlier in the thread he served in the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and was subsequently awarded a pension, following his written application.
Sadly he appears to have died prior to receiving any monies.
His brother Patrick was the leader of his local company of Volunteers, he himself was a younger brother and was a dispatch rider carrying info by bicycle. He went on the run following his wounding of two Ric officers which eventually led him to Australia where he appears to have enlisted in the army. A family story says he was injured, discharged, fell on hard times which led to his eventual death which i have outlined. I am confident that the service record identified here by others is in facts his and i will purchase a copy and get back with its contents. I have also requested info from the state library on any electoral roll info they may have and await their reply.
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Electoral Roll
1925 Darling Downs, Allora
James REARDON, Ford St, Allora, labourer
1930 Darling Downs. Allora
James REARDON, Forde St, Allora, labourer
1932 same
1936 same
1937 same
1943 same
Ros
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Many thanks for that Ros
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Hi,
1943 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs, Sub-Division of Allora
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
1937 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs, Sub-Division of Allora
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
1932 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs, Sub-Division of Allora
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
1928 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs.
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
1926 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs, Sub-Division of Allora
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
1925 Commonwealth Electoral Roll.
Division of Darling Downs, Sub-Division of Allora
Reardon James, Ford st, Allora, labourer.
Gerry
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Re my last, sorry about the double up regarding the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls, Ros had already posted the info.
Gerry
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But you're a better typist Gerry :)
Can you see anything about John Rastie, personal friend and informant on death cert, Gerry?
I'm drawing a blank from ancestry and newspapers ... (but it is after midnight)
Ros
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Try John McIntyre HASTIE
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John McIntyre Hastie had lived in Allora up until 1937 before moving to Toowoomba, looks like he became friends with James during his Allora stay and this continued on until James' death. According to the WW2 Nominal Roll Index John Hastie had been born in Glasgow in 1907 and he also had served in the Militia during WW2.
Gerry
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Thanks all, that reason for friendship would appear to stack up, will await service record details and revert.
Regards
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Hi all,
Received the service record attached.
I think this is what the hand writing says-
"Cause of injury had at Townsville 26.5.43 10.6.43 that injury was accidental and injury comprised fract R(ight) 8th Rib abrasion and contusion right elbow contusion of right shoulder and was caused by a blow from a moving vehicle"
Would a pension record exist i wonder?
Thanks again to all
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Nothing new but details of his burial at Toowoomba. The site says photos have been taken of all memorials at the cemetery but I couldn't see anything for him. Perhaps there isn't a memorial.
http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/cemeteries/deceased-search/burial/4961
Judith
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Thanks for that.
Anyone point me where to start to look for pension application for that period?
Regards
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I think you may need to ask national archives http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/askquestion/index.aspx
They may need to examine it and decide whether it can be opened for copying etc
Ros
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".... he served in the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and was subsequently awarded a pension, following his written application. Sadly he appears to have died prior to receiving any monies."
When did he apply for this pension?. I can see that he would qualify for an Irish pension, for action in 1916, but it would be granted at a particular age, or when he was able to establish reduced capacity due to war related condition?
If he applied for this after his Australian war service, 1943+, is that because he did not receive an Australian war-related pension? Using his birth year, 1898, or from enlistment file 1903, by death at 1949 he would not qualify for an ordinary civilian aged pension.
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On another thread (22 pages ;D ) the poster asked NAA for more information available on his relative post-war. After some months he was given access to the relative's pay card and 2 repatriation files. I imagine that war pension application records would be similar.
He could either request a copy (for about a hundred dollars :o ) or view at a reading room.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=756312.180 (page 21)
Ros
adding : whoops sorry fixed link
The above case is post-WW1 - not sure if that makes a difference provided person has died.
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".... he served in the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and was subsequently awarded a pension, following his written application. Sadly he appears to have died prior to receiving any monies."
When did he apply for this pension?.1936 I can see that he would qualify for an Irish pension, for action in 1916, but it would be granted at a particular age, or when he was able to establish reduced capacity due to war related condition?
If he applied for this after his Australian war service, 1943+, is that because he did not receive an Australian war-related pension? Not sure he applied for or received any Using his birth year, 1898, or from enlistment file 1903, by death at 1949 he would not qualify for an ordinary civilian aged pension.
I will try and find out if he applied for an Australian Army pension thanks.
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Hi Wivenhoe,
Reardon / Riordan are versions of one and the same surname.
As i mentioned earlier in the thread he served in the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and was subsequently awarded a pension, following his written application.
Sadly he appears to have died prior to receiving any monies.
His brother Patrick was the leader of his local company of Volunteers, he himself was a younger brother and was a dispatch rider carrying info by bicycle. He went on the run following his wounding of two Ric officers which eventually led him to Australia where he appears to have enlisted in the army. A family story says he was injured, discharged, fell on hard times which led to his eventual death which i have outlined. I am confident that the service record identified here by others is in facts his and i will purchase a copy and get back with its contents. I have also requested info from the state library on any electoral roll info they may have and await their reply.
Hello! James was my Grandmother's first cousin... any relations on here?
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I am not understanding the dates you have posted. Are you saying that he came to Australia after April 1916, then went to America, then came back in 1927?
Debra :)
Hello James was a 1st cousin of my Granny. Mary MacAuliffe's book says he he and his brother hid with a Fenian called Quirke in the hills. ...coincidentally his Aunt Judith/Julia (my Grans Gran) was married to a Quirke. I spoke recently to a distant relative that told me after being on the run Jim was smuggled in a Butter ship to the US and subsequently to Australia.
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April 1916 events happened in Firies, Kerry, Ireland, he then fled and eventually ended up in Queensland and the Australian army, i got his service record which details his injury and subsequent discharge as medically unfit.
He then died a few years after in poor circumstances.
Regards
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James Riordan was my great grandmothers younger brother. She was born Mary Riordan and she was 99 years old when she died in 1978. She was sent to the US when she was 14 by her older brothers (so the family story goes) an American family paid her passage and she had to work for them until her debt was satisfied. She married a gentleman by the name of Bernard Flood they were my fathers paternal grandparents and when Jim came to the States after leaving Ireland he stayed with her for a time, he then went to Australia something about a price on his head from the Crown and bounty hunters.
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I am not understanding the dates you have posted. Are you saying that he came to Australia after April 1916, then went to America, then came back in 1927?
Debra :)
Hello James was a 1st cousin of my Granny. Mary MacAuliffe's book says he he and his brother hid with a Fenian called Quirke in the hills. ...coincidentally his Aunt Judith/Julia (my Grans Gran) was married to a Quirke. I spoke recently to a distant relative that told me after being on the run Jim was smuggled in a Butter ship to the US and subsequently to Australia.
John Marcus O'Sullivan, originally from Firies, was a butter merchant in Cork (Central Packing Company) and he is reputed to have been the man to arrange for Jim to be smuggled to Liverpool initially. His son Marcus was sent to New York to avoid conscription as he was training to become a teacher in London, . Marcus worked for The Gaelic American in New York where his boss was the fenian John Devoy. If anyone wants a copy of Jim's Australian Army service record send me a pm.
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Hi Rathlad
Sorry to hijack your thread but I have recently started looking into my mums side of the family who moved to Australia just after the war with her parents from Glasgow. My grans brother was John McIntyre Hastie that Aussie1947 mentioned earlier. Would love to find out more about John if you know anything from the friendship between him and James?
Cheers
Steve
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Message from Mnewberry who clicked on the report to moderator button instead of the reply button ;)
Regards
Sarah
James is my paternal great great uncle. He stayed here in Phoenix, AZ with his older sister Mary sometime between between being smuggled out of Ireland and going to Australia. I need to have a discussion with my
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Thanks Sarah, hopefully Mnewberry will see this message as i would like to hear about the duration of Jims stay in Phoenix and any other info him.
Happy Christmas to all.