7212187 Private Martin Coffey, Depot Royal Munster Fusiliers

 

1899 Aug 1. born Birr, Kings Co. Ireland

1901 census at Cronehill , Carrig, Tipperary

1911 census I cannot find the family

1916 Mar 2, enlisted as 4/8082 Private Martin Coffey into 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers at Bere Island. Occupation on enlistment General Dealer

Posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers post 1916

1918 Apr 19. The 2nd Battalion was reduced to a cadre, with surplus troops going to 1st Battalion. The next day the 1st Battalion was transferred to 172nd Brigade in 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

1917 Apr. to the Curragh.

1917 Aug. Moved again in August 1917 to Castlebar (Mayo).

1917 Nov Moved to Dreghorn

1918 May, finally moved to o Plymouth where absorbed by 3rd Bn

1919 Feb 16. re-enlisted for 3 years at Plymouth where the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion was located. 35213 Private Martin Coffey, 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers

Posted to the Regimental Depot, Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee

Re numbered as 7212187 Private Martin Coffey, Depot Royal Munster Fusiliers

1920 Feb 7 married at Banagher to Bridget Colburn

1921 Jan 17 declared a deserter at Tralee

Captured by IRA in Banagher and held for a few days. Remained at Banagher until the Treaty was signed

1922 Jan 11. gave himself up to the  Royal Irish Constabulary

1922 Feb 23. escaped custody at Crownhill Barracks, Plymouth. .Lance Corporal G Welsh, Depot Royal Munster Fusiliers awarded 56 days detention for allowing a prisoner to escape.  14 days remitted

1922 Mar 1. Court Martialled at Plymouth for desertion and loss of equipment. Plead Guilty.  Sentenced to 1 years Hard Labour with 334 days remitted. Had spent 48 days in custody

1922 Mar 21. discharged at Cork

Address on discharge Main Street, Banagher, Kings Co.

He does not appear to have died in Ireland

Deserters