Mass for our Deceased Congo Members

A lot of attention has been recently afforded to Ireland’s United Nations Campaign in the Congo in the early 1960s.

Films such as “Jadoville” and the recent acknowledgement and citations by the Irish government are shedding light on a little known but heroic episode of the Irish military history on the world stage.

As a veteran of the 36th battalion who deployed in the wake of the Jadoville siege, it is difficult not to reminisce about lost comrades and trying circumstances that we encountered in what was the hostile territory for us young and inexperienced soldiers.

Between 1960 and 1964 twenty six comrades lost their lives in the cause of world peace. Those of us that survived remember them every day and the resurgence of interest has prompted memories and tears despite the fact it happened over 55 years ago.

On arrival into the Congo we received general absolution in the airport before finding ourselves, within hours, involved in a robust military engagement in which we lost three brave comrades in the “battle of the tunnel” which occurred on the 16 December 1961.

Fifty five years later I feel a strong urge to remember these men and the other three solders of the 36th battalion that were lost during our tour of duty.

To this end I am organising a Mass of Remembrance in St Coleman’s Cathedral Cobh on Sunday December 18th at 12:00 hours.

Any and all of the civil and military communities are most welcome to attend.

Frank O’Brien (Cobh)