Researching your family history: Army Pensions

Welcome back. Last week we accessed the website, www.irishgenealogy.ie and by clicking on Useful Links we were able to find the 1922 Irish Army census. The record entry we highlighted was for Aidan McLeod from Gorey. This week, again using the www.irishgenealogy.ie  we are taking a look at the Army Pensions to see if we can find out any more information about Aidan and his time in the army.

Using Useful Links in www.irishgenealogy.ie click on Bureau of Military History Records and go to Genealogy. Choose Military Service Pensions Collection. These records can also be accessed directly at www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie.

Searching the Medal Applications I input the surname McLeod. I got four results. Two entries were for Aidan, one for James and one for John. These results are a summary of applications for a Service 1917-1921 Medal. On examination it transpired that these medal applications were from three brothers.  

The summaries as they stand give additional genealogical information. Aidan’s record shows that he served in the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence and that he was awarded a Service 1917-1921 Medal in 1947. It also gives a Dublin address for him which can be further investigated.  All files can be viewed, by appointment, in the research room of the Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin.

Email [email protected]. Some files are subject to Data Protection and are closed or partly closed to the public but can be accessed by family members. 

Submitted by Helen in the Reading Room.