The Gazette 1918-19

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

JUNE, 1918]

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.