KILLED IN ACTION. GALLANT END OF BRAVE ATHY MAN.
NATIONALIST AND LEINSTER TIMES 5 December 1914
KILLED IN ACTION. GALLANT END OF BRAVE ATHY MAN. HOW MR. P. J. HEYDON DIED
Amongst those who have been killed in action in France is Mr. Patrick J. Heydon, son of the late Mr. P. Heydon, and of Mrs. Heydon, of Churchtown House, Athy. He was only 30 years of age, and on the outbreak of war rejoined the Irish Guards.
He went with the Expeditionary Force to France and took part in several engagements with his regiment. He met his death on 1st September, when the Brigade of Guards were in action, the engagement being one of the most severe that has taken place since the present war broke out. The action was a rearguard one during the now famous retreat of the Allied forces from Mons to the Marne, and occurred in the great forest of Vilkers Cotterets, about 40 miles north of Paris. The Guards suffered severely in this action, being heavily pressed by great numbers of the German army. Young Mr. Heydon was one of many gallant Irish soldiers who fell fighting valiantly to the last for the cause they espoused. This week his bereaved friends and relatives received official intimidation through the British Red Cross Society in Paris, per Rev. H. S. Briggs, of the Inquiry Department for wounded and missing. His letter stated that Sergeant John O’Dwyer, of the Irish Guards asked him about six weeks ago if he could find any word about P. J. Heydon, at Villers Cotterets. On two occasions the writer stated he made inquiries in the neighbourhood, but found nothing.
Last week It was decided to open up a large grave in the Forest where the fight of September 1st took place. On Monday, in company with Lord Robert Cecil, M.P.; Lord Elphinstone, and Lord Killanin, the tomb was opened in the presence of the writer, and the identity discs taken off all the bodies found. On Wednesday they found the body of P. J. Heydon; together with the bodies of Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. George Morris, Captain Tisdell, and several Irish guardsmen. On Thursday the local dean, Abbe Grainblot, read prayers over the bodies of the Roman Catholic soldiers, and remembered them at Mass.
“Please accept by sympathy. It may console his friends slightly to know that the grave will be looked after by the local French authorities, and a cross erected over spot,” concluded the letter.
To Mrs. Heydon and family in their bereavement, the deep sympathy of the public is tendered. Deceased was a fine type young Irishman, “and was extremely popular with a large circle of acquaintances”.
On Wednesday Solemn Office and Requiem Mass for the happy repose of the soul of the deceased was offered up in Parish Church, Athy. Very Rev. Canon Mackey, P.P., V. F., presided, and the other clergy present included – Rev. J. Nolan, C.C. Celebrant; Rev. M. O’Rourke, B.A.; Rev. J. O’Callaghan, B.A., Prior Dominican Church, and Rev. J. Purcell, O.P. A large number of relatives and friends of the deceased was present.
Re-typed by Hannah Mustapha
