Tipperary Motor Cycle Club visit famous battle sites and graveyards in France and Belgium

Eight members of the Cashel based Rock Marshals Motorcycle Club recently visited battle sites in northeast France and Belgium. In preparation for the trip, MaryAnne Maher of the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (& South Irish Horse) Association and Michael Dolan offered some very valuable insights into the involvement of men from south Tipperary in the First World War.

A special guest at this presentation was Amanda Hewitt who together with her sister, Mary Hallissey, commissioned a plaque in memory of a maternal relative of theirs, Pte Michael Lukeman.

Michael died at Le Pilly on 19th October 1914. Interestingly, the plaque was placed at Le Pilly by Jim Fitzgerald, who is also related to Michael Lukeman.

On tour, the group paid its respects at the Le Touret Memorial where at least four other local men, Pte John Carrie (Cashel), Pte Thomas Donovan (Golden), Pte Michael Denny (Fethard) and Pte Christopher Casey (Tipp Town) are remembered. It visited Roisel Military Cemetery and found the graves of Lt Col Alfred Murphy of Ballinamona, Cashel and Cpl William Corcoran of Dualla Road, Cashel. Club member, Ben Lynch found the grave of a paternal relative, Pte John Masterson at Flanders Fields American Cemetery.

Mike O’Brien paid his respects to Pte Thomas Dwane at the Loos Memorial on behalf of his neighbours. Unfortunately, while the group were present for the Last Post at the Menin Gate, they were unable to pay respects to the names of at least six Cashel natives and one from Tipperary Town because of renovations.