IRISH ARMY. HORSE TRANSPORT TROOP. 1928

IRISH ARMY – HORSE TRANSPORT TROOP – 1928

By Chris Holzgräwe

A fascinating photograph has come to light recently which could perhaps shed light on the beginnings of the Horse Transport Section of the Army Service Corps which was formed in 1929 and had its headquarters at the Curragh. The photograph shows three ranks of troopers posing in dress uniform at their depot at the Curragh camp.

This photograph has been in the possession of Pamela Holzgräwe (nee Byrne) of Dublin, (now living in Newbridge), for many years, and shows her father, Thomas Byrne, 23 years old at the time, in the ranks of this Troop. The photograph, which would appear to be an official commemorative print, has an embossed title at the top of the mounting card which reads:

HORSE TRANSPORT TROOP
H. T. (?) (?) Depot. Curragh Camp. 1928.

The uniforms worn would suggest an official occasion, but no officers are present in the photograph, although the two front middle troopers would appear to be a Lance Corporal and a Corporal. These two men are wearing different britches and riding boots to the others. A bugler sits in the front row also.

Back Row:
Driver:    J. Fortune. C.   Walsh.   J. Connolly.   J. Sexton.   T. Callaghan.   J. Deegan.
Middle Row:
Driver:   J. Meehan.   F. Hassett.   (?) Kinsella. P. Day.   T. Byrne.   P. Cullen.
Front Row:
Driver:    (?)         (?) Howard.  (?).         (?) Collins.  (?).          J. McMahon.

There is a reference to The Horse Transport Corps in The Kildare Observer on 3 August 1929, the year after the photograph was taken. It reads:

‘The A.S. Corps.
The new Army Service Corps which has been formed and has its headquarters at the Curragh is making rapid progress towards completion. During the past week two further staffs were transferred to the unit and the Horse Transport Section commenced to function under its new heading……..’

A 1928 photograph of the Irish Army Horse Tranpsort Troop at the Curragh Camp sheds some light on the origin of this unit