“ERIN GO BRAGH!"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 297, 14 December 1914, Page 6

“ERIN GO BRAGH!"

THRILLING bayonet charge.

We are British soldiers, and proud of the name, and proud to belong to the great British Empire; hut in doing our duty for the glory and honor of the Empire, we, have always also in our minds to add if we can moie lustre to the fair name of Erin. Our flag of green with the harp and shamrock, and the words “Erin Go Bragh” is now faded and torn, but still loved

and cherished. Corporal Michael O’Mara, of the Irish Guards, who has been at the front since the beginning of the war, lias sent to a relative in Suir, in Ireland, a thrilling story, prefaced by the words above. “Talking about the dear old flag, adds Corporal O’Mara, “I shall endeavor to describe how 'at C -, when the fate of the day seemed to waver in the ’-balance, when the ruthless enemy, by sheer weight of numbers, was pressing onward at every point of vantage, that faded flag turned a threatened defeat into' decisive victory.

“On pur left were the Munsters, on our right the Lei listers and Connaught Rangers. “All were hard pressed, and were about to retire, when suddenly from the firing, line one of our comrades rushed out flourishing the old green flag, and shouting ‘Erin Go Bragb! “With the Mood coursing fast through my veins, I watched wit h pride and admiration the marvellous effect produced by these simple words.

“With a mighty cheer that seemed to rend the heavens and that rose and swelled even above the din of battle, those hard-pressed Sons of Erin charged down on the advancing enemy with fixed bayonets.

“The Germans were completely staggered—staggered, by pected turn of events when victory seemed just within their grasp. ; “But they were given little time for hesitation, for, to slightly alter the words of a well-known Irish ballad,.

Like lions leaping at a fold, When mad with hunger’s pang, Right up against the German Toes Those Irish heroes sprang.

“The Germans turned and fled in all directions, completely routed and wholly disorganised. “Such was the effect on the Irish Guards of the sight of their did green flag and the cry of ‘Erin Go Bragh!’ ”