11 / 80
JUNE, 1918]
The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
interests of freedom and democracy and for
the existence of small nationalities. We can
only hope and pray that before we meet
again the satanic power of the Kaiser will
finally be crushed, and that the world may
be able once more to draw the breath of
freedom.
I am proud to say the Profession to which
we all have the honour to belong has not
held aloof from this titanic struggle. No less
than 139 Irish Solicitors and 80 Solicitors'
apprentices have, up to the present, joined
His Majesty's Forces since the war broke
out.
No doubt there are others who, but for
family ties and other strong reasons, would
have before now made a similar sacrifice.
Of those Irish Solicitors and apprentices who
have volunteered
their services
to
their
country I regret to say that no less than 32
have been killed in action or have died on
active service. On the other hand, many
have gained distinction, and are, I am glad
to say, still alive to enjoy the fruits of their
gallantry. At our meeting in November last
my predecessor, Mr. Richards, read out a
long list of Military Distinctions conferred
upon members
of
the
profession
and
apprentices who have joined
the Army.
Since then four other awards for gallantry
have been conferred on Officers of His
Majesty's Army who are members of our
profession or
apprentices.
Lieut. Claud
Furlong, Solicitor, was awarded a Military
Cross; Capt. Mackay, an apprentice, has
been awarded the Military Cross and also the
Croix de Guerre ; Lieut. Percival Brown and
Lieut. John Gillespie, both apprentices, have
been awarded the Military Cross. You will
also, I am sure, be glad to hear that Captain
Henry, son of our old friend and colleague,
Mr. James Henry, has within the last week
or two been awarded the Military Cross and
special promotion to the rank of Major for
exceptionally gallant conduct.
I think most
of us are already aware of the distinction
gained by Captain Ion Wakely, a member of
the Bar and son of our esteemed Secretary,
who has been recently wounded, but I am
glad to say is making a rapid and, I hope,
complete recovery.
It would not be right that I should leave
this subject without paying a tribute to the
patriotism of the Law Clerks. Large numbers
|
of them have joined the colours.
I have not
got particulars as to numbers, but I am
awate that a very large number of clerks of
military age gave their services to their
country, and I know that out of my own
small staff of four male members at the out–
break of the war "three have joined up.
I regret to say that since our last meeting
the angel of death has laid his hand heavily
upon the members of our profession.
Since
November
last no
less
than 16 of our
colleagues have passed away, including some
who were well known to you and who are
deeply regretted by all of us. These include
Mr. John R. Cooper, Crown Solicitor for
Wexford; Mr. Michael Lane Horan, of
Dublin, one of the veterans of the profession ;
Mr. John R. Golfer, of New Ross, and Mr.
Charles F. Downing, of Tralee, two of the
most respected Solicitors in the South of
Ireland.
It has been a satisfaction to us all that
-Mr. Michael J. O'Connor, who was for some
years a member of the Council of this Society,
and is most popular with every member of
the profession with whom he came in contact,
has been selected to fill the post of Crown
j
Solicitor, left vacant by the lamented death
I
of Mr. Cooper.
|
It has been a source of gratification and
i
pride to us that within the last month or so
two distinguished members of the Bar, who
had previously been members of our pro–
fession, have been appointed to positions of
high honour.
I refer to the Right Honourable
James O'Connor, who has been appointed to
the position of one of His Majesty's Judges ;
and Mr. John Blake Powell, K.C., Solicitor-
General for Ireland.
In this connection I
would like to remind you that the Lord
Justice Swinfen Eady, who has been elevated
to the high position of Master of the Rolls
in England, was also a Solicitor before he
was called to the Bar.