Easter Rising or the battle of the Somme - Where would you have been fighting?

Deedsie · 22-04-2011 06:55PM #1

Hi all, i am just curious of the opinions of the members of boards.ie, seeing as the weekend thats in it. I wanted to put it in after hours instead of history as it's 95 years since both events, and I'd like to bring it to the attention of as many boards.ie users as possible.

So, try to get into the spirit of the thread bearing in mind there was no social welfare in those days, joining the British army was the only option for alot of people, sitting at home wasn't an option for most people: If you were alive in 1916, do you think you would have been involved in The battle of the Somme or the Easter rising 1916?

I'd always have considered myself a nationalist, but in reality I am fairly conservative in my actions if not always my opinions. As much as I respect and admire the courage of the volunteers in the Easter rising, in reality the gallantry of the soldiers in the Somme deserve the exact same respect and admiration.

I probably would have been in the Somme and i think all the Irish men who died (and lived) in that tragic battle deserve the same honour as the volunteers in Dublin Easter week.

I apologise to no one I offend for this opinion, it's my opinion and I would really like to hear all of yours?

orourkeda · 22-04-2011 06:56PM

At home scratching my stones probably

pockets3d · 22-04-2011 06:57PM

Disneyland

galwayrush · 22-04-2011 06:57PM

Grabs popcorn and beer, pulls up chair.....oh wait.no beer today:eek:, can we prospone hosilities until tomorrow?

KnifeWRENCH · 22-04-2011 06:58PM

orourkeda wrote: »

At home scratching my stones probably

^ This.

No way would I go anywhere near an armed conflict. I'd rather not get shot or blown up, thank you.

NSNO · 22-04-2011 06:59PM

Probably would have been at the Somme - if I hadn't been killed/seriously wounded previously. Tough economic time, army paid a wage and pension. Needs must etc.

Celly Smunt · 22-04-2011 07:00PM

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

^ This.

No way would I go anywhere near an armed conflict. I'd rather not get shot or blown up, thank you.

so you'd rather your family starve? like the reason many brave men went to the somme in the first place

Oranage2 · 22-04-2011 07:00PM

being protestant i'd probably be shooting at you fenian bast*rds - after all, if it wasnt for our dear queen, we wouldnt have roads or hospitals.

Nolanger · 22-04-2011 07:00PM

Hollywood actor John Loder fought at both!

orourkeda · 22-04-2011 07:02PM

Nolanger wrote: »

Hollywood actor John Loder fought at both!

go on the john

falan · 22-04-2011 07:03PM

I'm involved in wars all the time on my xbox...

Seriously, i couldn't answer that. Grandfather on my mothers side fought in the Somme. Grandfather on my fathers side was involved in the easter rising. Both were Irish.

KeithAFC · 22-04-2011 07:05PM

At the Somme with my other Ulster Volunteers. Lead the way.

Saila · 22-04-2011 07:07PM

the somme, but only if I could man one of those cool flamethrowers

KnifeWRENCH · 22-04-2011 07:09PM

pmcmahon wrote: »

so you'd rather your family starve? like the reason many brave men went to the somme in the first place

Probably wouldn't have had a family in the first place. But yeah, I'm a heartless bastard and probably the wrong person to be answering questions like this.

bonerm · 22-04-2011 07:12PM

It's like asking would you rather play football in the Premiership or the League of Ireland.

Deedsie · 22-04-2011 07:13PM

Just to be clear, I don't intend to denigrate the memory of the Easter rising. I just think its time for us all to wake up to the parts of our history that were brushed aside for some reason. I'd like to think I'd have been an Irish volunteer just like both my great grandfathers, both of who joined up with the British army for financial reasons, the hope that Ireland would be granted greater home rule as a result of there actions.

Dartz · 22-04-2011 07:13PM

**** fighting.

I'dve been looting happily.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 22-04-2011 07:15PM

With my great-grandfather in The Somme.

This is his last will and testament before he traveled.

9th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Feb.4th 1916.

mikemac · 22-04-2011 07:16PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_and_World_War_I#Regiments_raised_in_Ireland

Good link this, find your county and see when your local units went

Tipperary was the Royal Irish Regiment

The Royal Irish Regiment, made up in the vast majority of local Dubliners and were the first British army troops to attack the Irish rebels during the 1916 Easter Rising who were fighting to end British rule in Ireland and to establish the Irish Republic in Dublin

So OP, looks like I'd be at the Easter Rising but fighting the rebels :pac:

Up Tipp!

Sinfonia · 22-04-2011 07:17PM

Nolanger wrote: »

Hollywood actor John Loder fought at both!

Simultaneously.

Mr Benevolent · 22-04-2011 07:17PM

On the internet. Actually, I wouldn't have taken sides.

Oh_Noes · 22-04-2011 07:17PM

Probably the Somme although I've no German family so I don't know why I'd have been there.

If you're gonna kill the Brits anywhere, it may as well be when they're occupying your own country, so Easter Rising it is.

latenia · 22-04-2011 07:18PM

The Easter Rising obviously-almost next door to Supermacs and handy to get a 121 bus home afterwards.

Pompey Magnus · 22-04-2011 07:19PM

Hmmmm, it is tempting to go for the Somme with the British Army who were fighting "freedom of small nations" such as Serbia and Belgium whilst another part of the British Army were violently denying Irish freedom...

Actually on second thoughts I think I might go with the Easter Rising. I'd rather be on the losing side in a meaningful uprising than take the King's shilling in a meaningless act of imperial bloodshed.

landsleaving · 22-04-2011 07:19PM

In the Somme, fighting with the Germans, sporting an epic moustache and wearing a pointy helmet.

This is a man I'd fight for.

Nolanger · 22-04-2011 07:20PM

Sinfonia wrote: »

Simultaneously.

No, one a few months after the other. Then he headed to Gallipoli.

landsleaving · 22-04-2011 07:20PM

Sinfonia wrote: »

Simultaneously.

He then gave birth to Chuck Norris. True story.

RussellTuring · 22-04-2011 07:21PM

Neither. I'm not a nationalist in any sense and I don't think killing people is a noble thing at all, no matter what your reasons. If I had to choose though, I'd probably have chosen to try end oppression in my own land than to help those oppressors wage war in another.

KeithAFC · 22-04-2011 07:22PM

The Ulster Division has lost more than half the men who attacked and, in doing so, has sacrificed itself for the Empire which has treated them none too well. The much derided Ulster Volunteer Force has won a name which equals any in history. Their devotion, which no doubt has helped the advance elsewhere, deserved the gratitude of the British Empire. It is due to the memory of these brave fellows that their beloved Province [sic] shall be fairly treated.

36th Ulster division Loyal.

mikemac · 22-04-2011 07:25PM

Nolanger wrote: »

No, one a few months after the other. Then he headed to Gallipoli.

But the Gallipoli campaign was over before the Easter Rising and the Somme

Nolanger · 22-04-2011 07:27PM

Whatever, he fought at all 3 anyway and I'm not making this up!

Easter Rising or the battle of the Somme - Where would you have been fighting?

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