A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I
IRELAND’S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.

The book includes:

• The first Victoria Cross

• Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme

• North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge

• Ireland’s flying aces

• Brothers-in-arms – heart-rending stories of family sacrifice

• The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others

• The homecoming – why there was no hero’s welcome



Includes over 300 photographs and items of memorabelia from the lives of these brave men and their families.

An important book that opened up the conversation in Ireland about our role in World War I. Updated, and with a new introduction.
1110917148
A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I
IRELAND’S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.

The book includes:

• The first Victoria Cross

• Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme

• North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge

• Ireland’s flying aces

• Brothers-in-arms – heart-rending stories of family sacrifice

• The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others

• The homecoming – why there was no hero’s welcome



Includes over 300 photographs and items of memorabelia from the lives of these brave men and their families.

An important book that opened up the conversation in Ireland about our role in World War I. Updated, and with a new introduction.
24.99 In Stock
A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I

A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I

by Neil Richardson
A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I

A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I

by Neil Richardson

Paperback(2nd ed.)

$24.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

IRELAND’S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard.

The book includes:

• The first Victoria Cross

• Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme

• North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge

• Ireland’s flying aces

• Brothers-in-arms – heart-rending stories of family sacrifice

• The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others

• The homecoming – why there was no hero’s welcome



Includes over 300 photographs and items of memorabelia from the lives of these brave men and their families.

An important book that opened up the conversation in Ireland about our role in World War I. Updated, and with a new introduction.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781788491730
Publisher: Irish American Book Company
Publication date: 07/25/2020
Edition description: 2nd ed.
Pages: 368
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 8.65(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Neil Richardson studied Philosophy in University College Dublin and works as a creative writing teacher and editor. He is also a playwright and two of his plays, Through the Dark Clouds Shining and From the Shannon to the Somme, are inspired by stories from his book on the First World War. Neil is also a member of the Reserve Defence Forces and his family have a long military tradition stretching back over 150 years. His great-grandfather’s experiences in the trenches inspired this collection of Irish veterans’ stories.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

1 Baptism of Fire 30

2 The Somme and 1916 68

3 Messines Ridge and the Holy Land 96

4 The Spring Offensive 112

5 Ireland's Flying Aces 126

6 Boy Soldiers 142

7 Brothers-In-Arms 162

8 Against all Odds 198

9 The War to End all Wars 232

10 Homecoming 296

Bibliography and Further Reading 351

Service Records 353

War Diaries 354

Interviews 355

Index 358

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews