could someone answer why these men joined the English army???....was it for the pay??? just intrested.
Difficult question to answer unless you know someone who can give a personal answer, but I suspect that for many it was the same reason that young men (and women) the world over join up. To get a trade, steady pay and to see a bit of the world.
Despite a general prevailing wish for independence from Britain, there has never been any shortage of Irish people volunteering to join the British Army. That apparent paradox is perhaps a useful insight into the complex relationship the two countries have with each other. As an example, after having obtained independence from Britain in 1922, during the second world war (when Ireland was neutral and not involved) 5,000 members of the Irish army (10% of their whole force) left and joined the British army. De Valera wasn’t very pleased and most forfeited their Irish pensions as consequence.
