An Irish Soldier describes The World War One Somme, 1976

Emmet Dalton of The 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 16th Irish Division talks about his experiences at the Battle of the Somme.
Emmet Dalton, who won a military cross at the Battle of the Somme, tells Cathal O’Shannon about the use of creeping barrages to advance and the loss of over eight hundred men in a twenty four hour period.
“It would be very hard to describe the Somme I don’t know that there has ever been a battle like it. I mean you had two armies in static positions. The movement of either of them would be about two hundred yards, the difference between the two basic front lines.”

[@grocefamilyfarm3062]

Making this man skip to the end was a crime against history and journalism.

[@MikeyPaper]

I disagree... he was rambling and talking in circles. I respect his story but c'mon now, get to the point.

[@jail13ot63]

Came looking for this. When that weasel chimed in I couldn’t believe he wasn’t hanging on every word. Fuck the commercials, this history!

[@tomshanks4092]

@@MikeyPaper what a stupid attitude. This story is only truly known by people like this man telling it. The amount of propaganda from that time period has made it really hard to get a genuine image of what places like the Somme were actually like.

[@creationsxl2979]

@@MikeyPaper show some respect. He wasn’t talking in circles, every word was gripping and built his experiences and story up. These stories will never be told first hand again. He should’ve told his full story until he was done, not just skipped to the death count. Disgusting behaviour bro.

[@johnmccarthy4963]

@@MikeyPaper fool

[@E.OrthodoxMHNIN]

‘Do you wish me to describe all [of] this?’ It hurts my heart and soul that they didn’t have time to simply let this gentleman pour out all the details he and experiences he could or was willing to then and there on camera. Tragic for loss of an opportunity.

[@jonathanross8882]

I was about to comment the exact same thing. What an absolute shame. My great great uncle fought in that exact battle he was going on to describe. Would have been great to know all the intrinsic details of the day.

[@lchaney]

You should see the amount of time they give people to talk nowadays.

[@collintankiewicz4107]

I think he paused and asked because the details he was about to go into were likely too graphic for TV in those days.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

Watch the BBC great war interviews, they basically do just that

[@pedropaula3341]

Exactly my thoughts. The journalist should have let the gentleman talk. But no. Interrupted. Incredible. Journalists sometimes arrogant.

[@derekc6445]

I find it mind blowing that I am watching and listen to this man and his experience of the battle of Somme in WW1.

[@dpedd12]

There’s TONS of these testimonials. It’s absolutely shocking to hear these stories. And to hear overlapping details of the same stories from different men separated by decades. Amazing really.

[@Minime163]

I used to love listening to these men's interview's when I was a kid I knew a few local men who were in the old IRA as we called it.

[@ElPinitch]

You can listen to recordings of Anerican civil war soldiers and black slaves when they were old (1920-30s)

[@eoghandridl1007]

Technology these days

[@axiss5840]

An absolutely insane and incredible set of experiences that we won't ever experience. We're lucky enough to live in a time of comparable peace (despite how it seems at times) and if we ever have a conflict on the same scale, it won't be with the same tools and equipment that necessitated these lengthy, messy and personal battles with poor medical help and lacking things like vacuum-sealed rations or the internet. I can't imagine how horrible early war truly was, and I don't think anyone but people like this man can truly understand it.

[@ppgedez]

When men like this talk we listen. What a man.

[@daveyponderosa9549]

Amen Sir!

[@johnbarlowhorses]

My Grandad fought on the Somme , he was Coldstream Guards and later Machine gun Corps , he died in 1993 aged 97 , he loved the Irish , he liked a drink and his pipe . He farmed all his life and brought up six kids . It was great that I knew him

[@notyourdinner3446]

Honourable man! May Allah have mercy on his soul ameen

[@RonSill1986]

@@notyourdinner3446 he's Christian

[@nickb-]

My Grandfather was also assigned to the Machine Gun Corps (from the Berkshire Regiment). He always said it saved his life because the machine guns were held back from the first wave when they went over. I believe every other Lieutenant who joined the regiment with him was killed. He ended the war as an Acting Major, still only in his mid-20s.

[@lawenda2099]

@@RonSill1986 Doesn't matter, they're the same entity.

[@RonSill1986]

@@lawenda2099 not to a Christian who believes Islam is a false prophet and false religion.

[@treyb387]

Imagine losing almost all of your officers and 90% of your battalion only to advance 200 yards...unbelievable

[@An_Enraged_Pig]

So sad

[@eekamouseman]

King's officials.

[@Gallowglass7]

Very sad

[@thanos6346]

The tragic truth of the stalemate on the western front

[@Mrbg123]

It was so horrific that many are still angry about it to this day, even though there are no veterans remaining

[@SkyBlueNeil]

My Grandad was in the Irish Rifles at The Somme, he got a piece of shrapnel in his neck from a bombardment which gave him terrible coughing fits for the rest of his life, he had a shot of Irish Whiskey and laid on his bed and died aged 87.

[@scano15]

What a champ ⚔️🇮🇪

[@malcolmkeen7756]

God bless your Grandad.

[@notyourdinner3446]

May Allah have mercy on his brave brave soul. Ameen

[@tomben6180]

RIP to a great man

[@ironmantooltime]

Was it the Irish whisky that killed him, should have had a decent scotch huh. 😑

[@teasiebrien2619]

My Husband's grandfather was one of the 98 men

[@gerrysmith7031]

BALLS TO WARS

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

stand by your man

[@anthonycassidy1124]

Beautiful to hear

[@bsilcott]

“But by the Grace of God go I...”

[@joedirt7716]

My grandfather was one of the 98

[@dub_dub1504]

My great-grandfather survived Gallipoli, survived Palestine and ended up in the trenches of Europe right at the end of WW1. How he didn't die in any of these military campaigns is beyond me and I'm very grateful he did. I wouldn't be here otherwise. Amazing to see Mr Dalton in in the flesh.

[@shichilaofa]

Must be a coward

[@pidgeoneyes]

The interviewer is Cathal O'Shannon. He was a Lancaster tail gunner during WWII.

[@phtevenmolz5030]

Thanks. That explains why he's so well versed and is such a competent interviewer.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

One vet to another. Mad respect between them i would guess

[@thomasburke2683]

Cathal o'Shannon was one of Ireland's outstanding broadcasters, having been a journalist since the war ended. His father also was a celebrated journalist, politician and trade unionist,

[@JK360noscope]

I wish he didn't abbreviate it and just let the man talk

[@treblerebel2362]

I know I was hanging on his every word...yiy can tell this man was a professional

[@UTubeSL]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@BobbyB24601]

I agree, I was really interested to hear that story. Now we never will

[@ysgol3]

YES - my thought exactly just now! What things remained unsaid forever just because of that interviewers negative response!

[@Jilktube]

Yes, but it was television and not KZbin. There were time constraints. I do hope his story in full was recorded at some point elsewhere.

[@cushyglen4264]

That’s not just any ‘Irish soldier’. That’s Major General Emmett Dalton who after WWI joined the IRA, became Michael Collins’ Director of Intelligence, was with Collins when he was assassinated. After that he left public life & became successful in film production in the US & Ireland which might explain the accent.

[@russefrance4869]

My great uncle was a young Serjeant (correct) in the Irish Rifles. He was 22 when he was killed in March 1918 having survived, from the beginning, almost impossible odds up to that point. He has no grave but I found his memorial at Pozieres in 2010. Meant a lot.

[@johncostello5046]

My great grand uncle was killed Sep 1 1914 in the Irish Guards at Villers-Cottres. He was 20. All my relatives in the UK and Ireland never went to the grave though they said they wanted too. I made sure when I finally got to France this year from the US that I went to his grave. I got a rock from the wall behind the grave. It is going to his parents' grave next time I am in Galway.

[@ciananmacreamoinn9253]

So composed at 78 years of age, having experienced the horrors of the trenches. Died 2 years after this interview. Well worth reading more about this man Emmet Dalton. He was involved with smuggling arms into Dublin aged 15 in 1913, then joined the British Army for WWI. After the war joined the IRA back in Dublin. Was with Michael Collins at the ambush at Beal na Blath and advised Collins to keep driving but Collins, lacking combat experience chose to stop and fight, was killed. Emmet survived the ambush and went on to have a long career in Movie production and set up Ardmore studios. I believe there is a movie of his life.

[@cigh7445]

What's the name of the film? Some life.

[@patdwyer6274]

​@@cigh7445 It's a documentary called 'Emmet Dalton remembers'. You can find it on KZbin.

[@martini3524]

Thank you for the details you gave regarding Collins etc. Collins was Ireland's biggest loss. He was a military man but was forced to get involved in politics when the Polititions hadn't the guts to do their duty.

[@Donalob]

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@amandawright7216]

My Granda was an Inniskilling Fusiller, 36th Ulster Division, survived The Somme and many other Battles, returned to Ulster and died peacefully in his Bed at 83yrs old, surrounded by his loving Family❤ We will Remember Them

[@thefairhairedboywiththered2951]

My Mum worked in an old people’s home when I was a kid and remember her taking me to see a World War One veteran . He still had his helmet with a bullet hole in it . He let me try it on , I remember it being very heavy.

[@captainhindsight6994]

The strength of character he has to chat so casually about one of the worst wartime experiences you could ever possibly find yourself in is staggering. Brave man, all of them were.

[@Rowlph8888]

1 of?The First World War trench warfare was the worst experience in human history, nothing compares to it. With all respect to World War II veterans in St Petersburg and the siege Of Leningrad, who had similar experiences, but they kept the chance to run in open plan, must have given "some" Feeling, of flexibility that you could possibly survive. However, the trenches, not only disease terrible noise, but the feeling Every single 2nd but you were going to die, Or be permanently maimed, has to be unique

[@tomkavulic7178]

Pro tip, if you're conducting an interview of a primary source and he asks "Do you want me to describe all of this?" The answer is "Yes, please.", you can cut it down later for time.

[@minjabisnis3931]

in fairness this would probably have been going out live

[@thedoctorg02]

My great-great grandfather Ernest Zimmermann served in Somme as a soldier of Bavarian Regiment 14, 5th Bavarian Division, of the Imperial German Army. He survived that hell, but the mental scars earned there haunted him for the rest of his life.

[@Tobi-ln9xr]

Wasn’t Hitler also in a Bavarian regiment?

[@stephenallison1522]

pig

[@mcvf7051]

My great grandfather was a Canadian soldier who survived the Somme. He was left with shrapnel inside his head which caused him excruciating headaches for the rest of his life.

[@barrybarnes96]

July 1, Beaumont Hamel, Royal Newfoundland Regiment. "Of the some 800 Newfoundlanders who went into battle that morning, only 68 were able to answer the roll call the next day, with more than 700 killed, wounded or missing. The dead included 14 sets of brothers, including four lieutenants from the Ayre family of St. John's."

[@susancross6298]

Like the Accrington Pals who lost around 600 of their 720 strong battalion killed wounded or missing in the first twenty minutes of the Somme battle 1st July 16

[@mcvf7051]

A whole generation of brave young Newfoundlanders lost but never forgotten.❤🍁🪨🇨🇦

[@WarTard13]

Emmet Dalton. A masterpiece soldier. Michael Collins died in his arms. I salute you sir.

[@connormcdonnell3061]

An honorable soldier imo

[@Martin-sp4zf]

Thanks for posting this important detail. Colins was a true Irish soldier.

[@towenaar4142]

1000 miles of Germans, 1000 miles of French, And English, Scots and Irishmen, All fighting for a trench, And when the trench is taken, And many thousands slain, The losers, with more slaughter, Retake the trench again.

[@charlesdickens6706]

....then the Australian general ,,General Monash,, arrived . With his meticulous detailed planning the war soon ended following his arrival .

[@petergriffin2284]

Now we just hand it over without a whimper...

[@cesarfernandezlopez2209]

In war nobody wins

[@sonsen25]

@@charlesdickens6706 Australians killing their European brothers is nothing to boast about.

[@aussiesmoko]

Don't forget the ANZAC, Australian New Zealand Army Corps

[@James_RC]

My great grandfather similarly fought on the Somme at Guillemont and Ginchy. He was in 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers, 16th Irish Division and later served with 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers. He came home to Tipperary. His son (my great uncle) was killed in action in Germany in the last month of WW2.

[@PyjamaShark9]

Similar story to my family. My great-grandfather was captured at Mons, my great-uncle died in the RAF in 1944. Lots of Irish in the wars, and deserving of more recognition.

[@PortmanRd]

I'm 59 now but I remember my Great Grandad growing up. He was one of the ones. He came home minus an arm, one eye and shrapenel in his back. He was promoted on the battlefield to Sergeant because Officers and N.C.Os were getting killed at an alarming rate.

[@dhern2613]

To ALL of the soldiers, ALL, on both sides, that fought during the great wars. You are all respected.

[@minjabisnis3931]

I'd a granduncle with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he was killed on the Somme. He was 18. The thing that really gets me is when he was killed it was all over bar the shouting. He survived all that hell and almost made it home. Heartbreaking.

[@johnsometimeswrong8742]

Emmet Dalton there,a very brave man well worth looking up.

[@nigeh5326]

This gentleman is another example one of many thousands of Irish men from across the island of Ireland that have my respect as an Englishmen for their strength, courage and bravery in WW1 and WW2. Thank you Ireland north and south for the sacrifices your sons made for all of us

[@nigeh5326]

@@celtbell if he was fighting for an independent Ireland no longer controlled from London, that’s his right, Ireland belongs to those who live there, it’s upto them not, London.

[@celtbell]

@@nigeh5326 yeah fair enough...his name is Emmett Dalton..he was with Michael Collins when he was killed

[@nigeh5326]

@@celtbell I’m English through and through but I’m not a nationalist or an imperialist. I’m presuming here that you are Irish, as far as I’m concerned we have far more in common than we have differences. Stay safe

[@terencebigballs8531]

@@nigeh5326 if only more thought like you mate. We would all get on fine

[@nigeh5326]

@@terencebigballs8531 well I’ve raised my 2 sons to think the same way. Thanks 👍

[@branofattrebates2847]

57,470 casualties overall on the 1st july 1916. On the first day 19,240 British soldiers killed in the Battle of the Somme and 38,230 wounded . Very Brave men . We should never forget there sacrifice.

[@lordfogg9728]

German casualty lists were roughly the same too. I think it was, combined, the Somme sector, from 1916 to 1918 1.1 million casualties. With gains of up to 3 miles...crazyness.

[@branofattrebates2847]

@@lordfogg9728 on the first day of the somme the Germans had around 6,000 casualties mainly due to the French . It was and is the worst rate of Casualties in British military history .

[@lordfogg9728]

@@branofattrebates2847 ahhh ok. So Boche didn't get it the first day like the Brits eh. I'm pretty sure they were similiar when the Somme was over no?

[@branofattrebates2847]

@@lordfogg9728 no More ! German casualties were between 500,000 to 650,000 I don't know the deaths but I am sure they suffered heavy losses. Altogether 300,000 deaths from July 1st to November 18th November 1916 , 140 days .British deaths were around 125,000. It took the pressure off verdun which was a stalemate . It must of been horrific to say the least .

[@lordfogg9728]

@@branofattrebates2847 unbelievable isn't. Like lambs to the slaughter. Unreal. Its surprising Europe bounced back. As little as it did, until it was time for another. I never met my great grandfather who died at a younger age, I'm told he was shot in the neck and face, went back to the front and got hit with shrapnel, went back to England again but the war had ended after his second stint in hospital. I took a class on WWI and WWII, where my professor, took the entire period to really get across on how tough that generation was.

[@hikingwiththeshackletons]

I’m so glad these brave men have had their stories & experiences saved on video so they are NEVER forgotten. ❤️❤️

[@charlesmaximus9161]

God bless him and all veterans. All those fellas were real heroes.

[@turloughkelly3829]

They died for nothing. It was a pointless, murderous war. A gargantuan waste of human life. Nothing heroic about it - just futile.

[@Iukeeey]

@@turloughkelly3829 all of what you have said can be true yet it still does not deny that these men volunteered to give their lives in order to protect their family and friends, which is the most heroic thing a person can do.

[@bluechip297]

@@Iukeeey protect their family and friends from what?

[@Iukeeey]

@@bluechip297 from the perceived threat of a German invasion. There were propaganda posters at the time depicting Germans invading Irish homes, with the posters telling Irishmen to join the army before it's too late.

[@johnroche7541]

@@Iukeeey The propaganda recruiting posters for Irishmen to join the British Army went into overdrive after the sinking of the Lusitania.

[@michealquigley6737]

the man who had to retell michael collins trip to dublin from cork on his death. lived a tough life. hero.

[@johnroche7541]

Dozens of IRA men were veterans of WW1 and a couple had been decorated for bravery.

[@tgazza1587]

The fact that 26 of the 28 officers in that battalion died in one day is staggering. Shocking.

[@dankirk25]

Another horrifying fact for you: The entire graduating class of 1914 of St Cyr (France's equivelant to Sandhurst and West Point) was dead by Christmas of that year. How about another? Everyone talks about the first day of the Somme but what happened the next day? The British continued the Battle of the Somme in exactly the same way, if not the same intensity, until November. Just over 4 months of doing exactly what cost them 60,000 casualties on the first day but on a smaller scale.

[@tgazza1587]

@@dankirk25 The human meat grinder... and to think it happened all over again 20 years later

[@colincampbell4261]

Officers are targeted I warfare.

[@lordfogg9728]

Unreal eh

[@lordfogg9728]

@@dankirk25 I remember reading about that or something the rather, that the French were exhausted by the end of 1914. Their capabilities were down to nothing and the generals just gave each other a hard time. France thought it should be in control of foreign armys after it had just lost his. It was new to them all, even the Boche generals struggled with the fast pace in 1914, meeting deadlines, logistics, major communication problems, sending men to the eastern front but they managed to squash the French in the process. I remember another good one. France started the war with 98 trucks and at the end the army had 18,000...I think, don't quote me on that number but it was pretty big for the day and a huge ratio difference. What a waste eh. A pissing match more or less wiped out a generation.

[@bolshoefeodor6536]

My great granddad was decorated for bravery and initiative at Passchendaele. He was very badly wounded. Survived, and spent the rest of his life a hard drinker, and a rough-tempered man. My poor gran (his little girl) was terrified to death of him. I theorise it was the dreadful wounding that changed him, and left his personality forever tortured by survivor's guilt, anger at the War, and lingering after-effects of severe concussion (brain damage).

[@jamesbedford9073]

Thank u so much for ur bravery dear man ur courage was unsumountable ....we all in britan thank all u soldiers for ur upmost brave conduct ....cant imagine wat it was like god bless u

[@michaelwhisman]

I knew an old man in Saarbrucken, Germany who was 4 when WW1 started. He said that his bedroom window faced west so he spent WW1 watching the flashes from the artillery and hearing the explosions. He said that he remembers when the explosions stopped.

[@noname1st139]

Going to watch world war 1 in colour tonight, thoroughly enjoyed learning about WW1 on ,'They Shall Not Grow Old"

[@flashers.5212]

An Irish Soldier? I’m English and I recognise Emmet Dalton when I see him, I think he joined up when he was 17, after the war he became a great Irish patriot & fought in the Irish war of independence & then in the awful civil war that followed. He was with Michael Collins when the big Fella was tragically killed during an IRA ambush. My dear mum was Irish, born in Co Kerry in 1922.

[@ironmantooltime]

Quite, some understatement.

[@johnroche7541]

Emmet Dalton was not the only Irish veteran of WWI who was awarded for bravery and later would join the IRA. Martin Doyle(Royal Munster Fusiliers)was awarded both the MM and the highest British award the VC. He served later with the Co Clare IRA. Michael Bishop(Irish Guards) was awarded the MM twice and would later serve with the Co.Waterford IRA. Joseph Clancy(Royal Munster Fusiliers) was awarded the DCM and would later serve with the Co.Clare IRA. John Prout served with the New York 69th the famous fighting Irish 69th which was part of the AEF(American Expeditionary Force). He was awarded the Croix DevGuerre and would later serve with the Co.Tipperary IRA. By the way Dalton helped found Ardmore Film Studios in Co.Wicklow where many great movies were made. Hope this info is useful. Stay safe in these challenging times.

[@ironmantooltime]

Almost as if characterisation of the IRA as terrorist was a touch simplistic..

[@johnroche7541]

@@ironmantooltime There is a new book coming out about Irish veterans of WW1 who joined the IRA during the Irish War of Independence. These men were invaluable to the IRA and their role has never been given the proper credit or analysis. I have given in my above post IRA decorated veterans of WW1 which shows the calibre of these men. I have numerous examples of IRA veterans who played a crucial part in some engagements against the Crown Forces. Check out the Dromkeen Ambush(early February 1921 in Co.Limerick)where Maurice Meade(ex Royal Irish Regiment) marksmanship accounted for a lot of Black & Tans. The famous successful Clonfin Ambush in Co.Longford in February 1921 was credited to Sean McEoin but it was Michael Gormley(ex Irish Guards) who chose the ambush location or KZ(to use modern military parlance). There was also the Rineen ambush(Co.Clare September 1920) where Ignatius O' Neil(ex Irish Guards) unleashed rapid covering rifle fire against British reinforcements(Royal Scots) and helped the IRA unit withdraw safely and escape. There was also the famous Tom Barry(ex Royal Field Artillery) who would become the most successful IRA commander in the field. Check out his role at Kilmichael ambush(November 1920) and Crossbarry(March 1921). James Flagherty(ex Connaught Rangers) played a pivotal role in the Carrowkennedy ambush in Co.Mayo in June 1921. The impact these IRA veterans of WW1 had on the guerilla army was immense. The training in terms of weapons etc was crucial. I have alway's been fascinated by IRA veterans of WW1. We must not forget that some Irish veterans of WW1 were executed by the IRA during the struggle for Independence for alleged spying. Hope this info is useful. Take care everyone in these challenging times.

[@ironmantooltime]

@@johnroche7541 true, its like the israelis post war, they didn't take any sh1t and look where they are now: in charge of their own destiny. Not everyone agrees obvs and I'm not saying Ireland is the same, but you get my point.

[@adamp5879]

I would implore anybody to take a trip to the Somme, they are owed our respect.

[@chris.dalton]

This is my Great Uncle Emmet

[@matthewishunting]

An absolute horror show. Such a gentlemen to go through that end come out so composed.

[@zeez9053]

Mr Smith didn’t you ever hear of shell shock if that’s not post t s d ? Get your facts right and study

[@matthewishunting]

@@zeez9053 he meant that it wasn't recognized during the time. Socially there wasn't really support for the men with shell shock and ptsd. Mr Smith was on the right track and highlighting how hard it must have been for them to "just have to get on with it". He wasn't being malicious or off putting. Maybe you read his intention a bit wrong the way he wrote it.

[@petermckiernan5822]

@@Minime163 my great uncle did the same.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Infantry advancing towards machine guns is slaughter on an epic scale. Hundreds of thousands of men died in that battle, and all for nothing. An entire generation of Englishmen and Germans lost.

[@johnroche7541]

@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 There was Irish(from both sides),Scots and Welsh there too. Check out the movie "The Trench" which stars a younger Daniel Craig. The majority of the movie takes place on 30th June just literally hours before the Battle of the Somme. It is almost like a play due to it's condensed environment. It also stars Collian Murphy and Danny Dyer.

[@dcdc1509]

As soon as he said he was an officer at the Somme I thought..how did you survive? But after hearing it from him..the odds were even worse than I thought.

[@pager58]

A Somme veteran and Collins's adjutant interviewed by an ex RAF ww2 veteran!

[@harrisonwintergreen1147]

This is astonishing thanks for preserving it for future generations

[@mybluebelly]

So many generations lost. Just think how many more million men there would have been in Europe by now had there not been any world wars during the 20th century. A very sad and even sobering thought.

[@blindmelonstubbly]

Yeah and it was all done on purpose. Pre-meditated mass genocide under the guise of a 'World War.' Research the 'Kalergi Plan' if you doubt me and you'll be quickly horrified. It should also make you feel extremely pissed off if you have half a brain and half a decent heart with empathy for the suffering of completely innocent civilians and yes even all the young/old soldiers on all sides in every single war

[@adamhall5298]

@@blindmelonstubbly there's always one tinfoil hat idiot

[@UnknownPerson-cq3qv]

@@blindmelonstubbly genuine conspiracy theory nonsense. Not everything has a big huge secret sometimes people wanna shoot each other

[@igorlukyan206]

Yeah man, Russia had the third largest population before ww1

[@bobbybobby3070]

I would love to see this full interview ... amazing! I could listen to him all day. I know he has passed but there has to be full interview somewhere? My great grandfather (Dad’s side) won the Military Cross - one below Victoria Cross I believe - for his deeds at Delville Wood (part of the Somme). Still a great picture we have of him and my great grandmother walking out of Buckingham palace after being awarded. True heroes! This man. I know I wouldn’t have the guys to do what they did.

[@chris.dalton]

You can watch the whole interview and more here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX6WY6GFnbStZ7M Emmet was awarded the MC and not the VC as he was in an Irish regiment. VCs and MCs are at the same level in terms of rank.

[@gregclayton7525]

My Grandad Jack and his twin brother Charlie both fought in France and survived…thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

[@stevennoel6724]

My great grandfather fought in great slaughter from 1914 until he came back in 1918, a changed man, and he died in a sanatorium 8 years later.

[@boatman6865]

He played a very prominent role in the Free state side of the Irish Civil War and was with Michael Collins when he was shot.

[@johnroche7541]

Emmet Dalton held the post of Director of Training as part of the IRA(GHQ) in Dublin during Irish War of Independence 1919-1921. His brother Charlie was also in the IRA and Charlie took part in the "Bloody Sunday(21st November 1920) assassinations against British intelligence. Emmet was awarded the MC at Guinchy in September 1916 during the latter stages of the Battle of the Sonme while serving with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Like many Irish veterans of the Great War he joined the IRA when he got home to Ireland. He was not the only Irish decorated veteran of WW1 to join the IRA. Emmet in later life set up Ardmore Studios in Co.Wicklow,Republic of Ireland where many famous Hollywood movies were made right up to today.

[@sandpiper2012]

You can have nothing but respect for these young men....

[@barrykevin7658]

I met a man in Clonskeagh in Dublin when I was a kid and gave me a small book .I wonder was it him , But that book has stayed with me to this Day a huge Thank You you them all !

[@DOwhutnow]

My great grandfather served in ww1 on the us side. Although us participation was little I know absolutely nothing about his service other than a photo my grandmother shared with me after my time in the marines and before her death. I wish I knew more like I do with my grandfather's service in WW2. Incredible stories

[@patdwyer6274]

This 'Irish Soldier' is Emmet Dalton. During the Irish Civil War, he held one of the highest ranks, as major general, in the pro-Treaty National Army. He was with Michael Collins when Colllins was shot and killed in August 1922.

[@WillieNother]

My great grandfather who's Irish fought in the same battle

[@peterbassey9668]

Let’s never forget them!

[@s.z.9517]

I used to live in that region, and when you go in the woods you can see holes in the ground, and I mean everywhere. I also went to Verdun. I was walking on a small road and I found a HUGE shrapnell on the side, the size of my forearm. I didn't look for it, I just saw it and took it. A friend of mine found a german helmet with a bullet hole. The whole region is filled with corpses and old ammunition. This was the most brutal conflict in history for sure.

[@lecobra418]

You found those relics buried or just laying there? Tu peux me répondre en français ou en anglais comme tu veux.

[@s.z.9517]

@@lecobra418 Non non, sur le sol. Au fil des années à se promener dans la forêt mon pote avait accumulé une sacrée collection, bayonnettes, casques, douilles... Les bois de Seine et Marne sont pleins de trous énormes faits par les obus.

[@lecobra418]

@@s.z.9517 En Seine et Marne ?! Je pensais que tu parlais des bois de la Marne ou de la Somme là où le gros des combats à eu lieu, je sais que des combats ont eu lieu très proche de Paris mais pas qu'il restait autant de matos littérallement à même le sol surtout dans ces coins là ! Plutôt cool, j'espère que ton pote à fait un petit travail de conservation sur ce qu'il a trouvé, ça vaudrait le coup. ;)

[@s.z.9517]

@@lecobra418 Oui après je trouve ça un peu dérangeant perso, collectionner ce genre de trucs. Mais oui, en Seine et Marne surtout à l'Est c'est plein d'anciens champs de bataille.

[@bobbeverley5398]

goddamit I really wish I could go back and speak to these blokes. I remember when the last one died, even though I didn't really understand what was going on I still had a sense of loss

[@paulwilkinson7977]

Total respect ..

[@_sky_3123]

This is how we should teach history in schools. There is more wisdom in the tone of his words than in entire books.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

All they are taught today is how wars disproportionately affect minorities.

[@Romulus8]

Amazing interview, great Irish accent, great story teller

[@samplecode]

Such valuable material

[@anthonycosgrave8539]

Those wondering who the Interviewer is. He is Cathal O'Shannon and passed away in 2011. He served in WW2 with the RAF as a rear gunner. In my family I remember the 9 who served and three who never came home. They lie in Franch and Belgium and Turkey. My grandfather served with the Royal Irish Regiment (1684-1922) and was wounded at Mons in 1914 and was taken prisoner until 1917 when he was swopped via The Red Cross and came home to the depot of the Royal Irish in Clonmel Co. TipperRY.

[@mjograus8800]

What a fine gentleman and valiant too as he won the Military Cross. The sad and ironic fact is that as he was fighting in France for Britain, British soldiers were bombarding the post office in Dublin where other Irish men were resisting British rule..

[@johnroche7541]

Irish regiments that were in Dublin in 1916 were used to suppress the 'Rising".

[@beakyturf6336]

My great uncle Harry Reade was a medic for the RAMC from the 16th ID at the Somme....he was 19 at the time and never, ever spoke about the war after he came home...ever. I wonder if this gentleman knew my great uncle.

[@drgonzo6555]

My grandads dad from ringsend Dublin was in merchant navy he was on two boats that were torpedoed by Germans picked up by the yanks the first time. second time brits took him out of sea died few months after of tuberculosis. My grandad was only 6 years old. Still trying to find him on the merchant history list.

[@charlietreston4035]

My grandad served in hussars my father air force both from Sallynogin I served in infantry 1970s and they still called me a left footer

[@tenaciouscr6186]

My great grandfather was in the Scottish 9th battalion on the Somme and was wounded in the arm and went back to Scotland in 1917 because of another wound and died in 1964 because it caused a lot of problems for him medically

[@crookedpaths6612]

You can sense that it weighs upon him. In other interviews with common soldiers, they are very matter of fact about the war. But with officers they carry a burden of guilt for lives lost.

[@heritage195]

Common soldiers? No such thing. Plenty of common civilians though!

[@chrisdaniels3929]

Imagine writing a letter to 800 mothers!

[@dermotmurphy6733]

God bless them all, we will not forget them.

[@Autobotmatt428]

I always wanted to see a documentary with interviews form veterans.

[@johnboyle9082]

Not just an Irish soldier that’s Emmet Dalton

[@lennykump8396]

Dalton brothers?

[@johnroche7541]

@@lennykump8396 Emmets brother Charlie also served with the Dublin IRA and took part in Bloody Sunday(November 21st 1921). Emmet Dalton was not the only IRA veteran of WW1 who had been decorated.

[@northernlight696]

My grandfather fought at the Somme with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. He was a cranky old bastard who died in 1964 when I was 12. From what I know about his experience in both wars, he probably had every right to be the way he was.

[@louiesworkshop2023]

A brave man, thankyou for your service, a Hero.

[@thehealthychefri]

"only the dead have seen the end of war." ~Plato

[@LearnerMIC]

Private Daniel Buckley, Royal Munster Fusiliers. Enlisted October 1915. Hospitalised in April 1916. KIA December 1916. No grave. Memorialised on the Thiepval Arch. RIP.

[@Shybairnsgetnowt1]

My great uncle died during the Third Battle of the Somme (Paschendale) on the 17th September, 1917 having been injured the day before. He was in the 6th Battalion (Pioneers) East Yorkshire Regiment. Never have so many died such selfless yet pointless deaths as during WW1. 😓

[@meiser5198]

You mean the Third Battle of Ypres? There were only 2 battles at the Somme and the Second Battle of the Somme took place in 1918 during the German Spring Offensive.

[@Martin-tn5lm]

Your final remark concerning the pointlessness of the deaths is correct. The young men on both sides should have walked away from a conflict (instigated by the Aristocracy) involving weapons and should have instead, settled their dispute through competitive sport and other non-murderous activities....instead they "Fed the Guns."

[@michaeld6438]

When he says, "do you wish me to describe all this," can't tell if he wants the anchor to say no. I'm thinking um yes please.

[@Horizon344]

Same

[@hvacdesignsolutions]

What a slaughter. Imagine going over the top with your pals and seeing 80% of them killed.

[@robertzio]

“Do you wish me to describe this” HELL YES!

[@Jen-lg4hp]

A great gentleman- intelligent, articulate, brave. Hard to believe we Irish ever had leaders with such integrity and courage when you consider the specimens we have to endure today!

[@jackoshea7668]

Dignified and eloquent .Hero ☘️🙏🇮🇪🇬🇧

[@paulbradford8240]

My Great Grandfather Andrew Rourke was mortally wounded by shellfire on the Guillemont to Ginchy Road in October 1916. I imagine he was treated at a Regimental Aid Post and then transported to Casualty Clearing Station number 55. This is a distance of about 16km and would take 19 minutes to drive today. How long I wonder, did it take Andrew to reach the hospital? He died of his wounds the following day. I have been fortunate to visit his grave at Grove Town Cemetery, the site of the CCS Heroe is a word that is much abused by its overuse today. However, it is a fitting epithet for so many of those men that fought in that and other Wars.

[@zodius9772]

11 of my great uncles went into the Somme Only 7 came out alive (all highly decorated) After that they went home and freed Ireland God bless them and all the men who were in it (both sides)

[@3storiesUp]

General Dalton was a great man.

[@70stunes71]

The battle of the Somme was so brutal. Losses just staggering. How can there really ever be words to justify War? Yet it happens, even from the beginning of human civilization, and continues on today.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Not 'losses' but 'men killed'.

[@ididyermom3273]

It seems comparable that each WW1 battle sank battleships full of men with few survivors, just an unimaginable toll and scar to live with.

[@johncahalane7327]

The other man is Cathal Ó Shannon B. 1928 D. 2011 son of a 1916 and 1921 Republican, got his hands on a forged passport around 1944,, Joined the RAF and was crew in an Avro Lancaster Bomber in the Far East and Japan, worked on Irish radio and television for decades, regarded by Sir Terry Wogan as the best journalist he ever worked with, Emmett Dalton the man being interviewed is a devisive figure during the Irish Civil War both men passed now into history.

[@jtob3817]

I can't even wrap my head around going through something like that

[@Morgan-kn6xb]

An Irish hero. RIP Emmet Dalton.

[@jakenconor]

Do you not think he should have done a better job of protecting his Commander in Chief in Cork? What was he playing at??

[@karmakat8016]

@@jakenconor he wasn't just one man and it was the sneakiness of DeValera and he had suffered trauma from WW 1 and you are who??to judge him?let no one judge your life so harshly as you've done here today sir

[@B8kedBean]

@@jakenconor how many times have you laid down your life? Just so we can be aware of your credentials to judge over this man.

[@jakenconor]

@@B8kedBean how many times did this man lay down his life?? He died in his bed..an old man

[@jakenconor]

@@karmakat8016 Devalera my arse. This was the man who's duty it was to protect his Chief. What did he do? He got the whole crew drunk and let them engage in a pointless firefight where the only casualty was the man he was sworn to protect! Incompetent at best! At worst... Criminal!!!

[@lanyla162]

To hear this man talk about history is incredible but scary also may he rip

[@321mcg]

My great grandfather Owen Breen from Tempo Fermanagh was killed 1\7\16.first day of the battle of the Somme.his son Peter killed at Dunkirk 1940.

[@davemillwall5420]

Any man who climbed over the parapit in that war is a hero. My great grandfather Pte. William Collins was at the Somme and he never got over it.

[@dnhy7951]

I can't resist.The parapet or the war?

[@vern146]

@@dnhy7951bad taste...

[@dnhy7951]

@@vern146 I thought it was funny....

[@GpoppaJohn]

Growing up we all think our Dads are heroes! But these are the real heroes. Total respect

[@spm36]

My great grandfather was 7th Leinsters..RIP Patrick x

[@evinchester7820]

Met a SGM several years ago. His mother was a WWII war bride. His grandfather was an "Old Reliable" from WWI. He was in the English Army prior to WWI. Was was in the first battle of the Somme. After the battle, he was one of 8 corporals. They were what was left of the battalions chain of command. They made his the Battalion SGM. He trained up a new company about every three months.

[@jo5295]

Interviewer did history a great disservice

[@gray-fox6789]

Did he said out of the 900 plus soldiers only 90 plus came back? My god... War is hell 😢😢😢

[@mobilegoat1]

What about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out only 68 men answered the roll call the next day . They placed shiny bright tin triangles on their backs to see how far into German held ground they gotten to . They made great targets when the men were wounded and fell to the ground , if they moved at all they were shot immediately . General Haig never mentioned this in his memoirs all he said was that the attack failed because dead men could March no further . It was said that other regiments on that day refused to wear the shiny tin triangles because they knew that they would become easy targets .

[@123prestolee]

Wish that you could ask this brave soul about the utter state of things today - and ask him if he’d be prepared to do it again.