The political situation in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century was characterised by crisis and change. Armed rebellion against the British Crown, the prosecution of the Anglo-Irish War, the emergence of the Irish Free State, and the eruption of the Civil War over the treaty with Great Britain ensured that the birth of the modern Irish nation was bloody and difficult. This book details the life of an average Volunteer, and includes the experiences of internment, the lack of established medical facilities for wounded, life on the run, discipline, and typical duties.

Author Biography

Brendan O'Shea is a serving officer in the Irish Army, and has recently completed the Command & Staff Course at the Military College, Co Kildare. Brendan is the author of 'Crisis at Bihac' (Sutton Publishing, 1998) and edited 'In The Service of Peace - Memories of Lebanon' (Mercier Press, 2001). Gerry White is a serving Irish Army officer. Gerry is the co-author of 'The Barracks' (Mercier Press, 1997). Together with Brendan O'Shea, he has written several articles for An Cosantoir, the Irish defence forces magazine. Bill Younghusband was born in 1936. He has been interested in all things military since childhood, an interest compounded through the reading of authors such as G. A. Henty. In 1954 he joined the Life Guards and saw service in Egypt and Cyprus. Bill is a respected military illustrator of many years' experience, and has illustrated numerous Osprey books on 18th and 19th-century subjects.