The Kildare Observer, 4 September 1915
The death of Drummer Rodney Ahearn of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, from
wounds received at the Dardanelles, has been heard with much regret in Newbridge
and Naas districts. Drummer Ahearn was a native of Naas, where his Father,
Private Richard Ahearn, was an officers' servant in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers'
barracks for many years. He had just arrived at the age of 20 years, and having
been wounded in action, he was removed to Port Said hospital on the 24th June,
but, recovering quickly, he rejoined his regiment, and getting back to the
firing line he was killed in action at the Dardanelles. Mrs. Ahearn, mother, has
received information from the war office of the sad death of the gallant lad,
the cause of death being stated as "died of wounds". Mr. Richard
Ahearn, father of the deceased was a popular member of the Royal Dublin
Fusiliers, who fought right through the Boer War, and who for some years past
was the staff of the Newbridge Post Office. When the present war started Mr.
Ahearn immediately volunteered for active service, and was soon at the front
with his old corps, the lst Dublins. He was very anxious to meet his son, who
was in the fighting line, and although both were in Alexandria for some hours at
the same time, in their different companies, they did not meet, neither did they
while in fighting line afterwards. In a letter to his mother from the
convalescent hospital, Port Said, on the 25th June, Drummer Ahearn said he had
been wounded in the foot on the 18th June, but was going on splendidly,
So I think I have escaped very lucky, as I think I am one of the last of the old 1st battalion to leave the trenches. It is terrible the cutting up that battalion has got - in fact, the whole division. Each time there has been anything on the mat we have been there, so I think it is very near time that they gave us a rest, but there is no such thing. There is no rest or playing football, as there is on the other side. It is a break to get away for a few days after being two months 'on the go' day and night. I have been expecting one every day as I should like to know if my father is on his way out, as I have not heard of him. I suppose "Titch" is getting on tiptop. Is he gone to Belfast yet? I wrote him a postcard to the Curragh , but I suppose it will be forwarded to him, - Your Loving Son, Rodney.In a War Officer communication, dated 20th July, Mrs. Ahearn, mother, who resides at Newbridge, received a document from the Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, to the effect that Drummer Rodney Ahearn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was wounded in action and admitted to the Government Hospital at Port said. A further communications was received a notification of the death of Drummer Ahearn from the war office, expressing regret, the cause of death being stated as "died from wounds". It afterwards transpired that the information was only too correct. Drummer Rodney Ahearn was a great favourite with all who knew him, and much sympathy goes out to his mother at Newbridge, as well as to his father, who is at fighting in the trenches, both of whom are very well known in Naas. |
Submitted by Athy Heritage Centre.
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