Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Irish Citizens fighting for the US in WWI and WW2?

  • 22-03-2013 8:38pm
    #1
    irishinmyheart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭


    Hello, I am helping a friend of mine from Dublin. He said his grandfather and his great grandfathers fought in the World Wars under the US Military (not Britain) while remaining full Irish citizens. He would like to have papers confirming this but I am not sure where to look. Can anyone help? Thanks so much!


Comments

  • #2
    neilled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    irishinmyheart wrote: »
    Hello, I am helping a friend of mine from Dublin. He said his grandfather and his great grandfathers fought in the World Wars under the US Military (not Britain) while remaining full Irish citizens. He would like to have papers confirming this but I am not sure where to look. Can anyone help? Thanks so much!

    During WWI there was no such thing as an Irish citizen, due to Ireland being part of the British Empire. You might check out the US Veterans Records - just do a search for it and the website and the requisite forms will come up. If his grandfather or great great grandfather have any memorabilia lying around such as old flashes or uniforms it may help identify his service - soldiers put their service number on all manner of kit and if you have the service number you've got a good start.


  • #3
    irishinmyheart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭irishinmyheart


    Hi! He didn't know his grandfather and has no memorabilia, and i checked the US military records on Ancestry.com with no luck. =( But, I wasn't aware that Ireland was under the rule of the British Empire at that time so that may be a different route to look. Thank you so much for the help!


  • #4
    goldie fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,195 ✭✭✭goldie fish


    We were British (statistically) until 1922.


  • #5
    galwaycyclist
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,912 ✭✭✭galwaycyclist


    goldie fish wrote: »
    We were British (statistically) until 1922.

    Actually I think it was later than that. I think technically any Irish person born before 1948 was a british subject.


  • #6
    irishinmyheart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭irishinmyheart


    I found a number for the US Veteran's Administration, I will call them tomorrow. Thanks!


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    johnny_doyle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    fold3.com is a good resource for US service records, pensions, draft registration records etc.


  • #8
    irishinmyheart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭irishinmyheart


    Great, thanks!!


Advertisement