Several Roscommon born doctors are featured in a new book ‘Irish Doctors in the Second World War’, the sequel to ‘Irish Doctors in the First World War’.
The book charts the vital contributions of Irish doctors in the Second World War, a conflict that demonstrated to the world how military warfare had changed utterly since the Great War.
While advancements in medical care during the interwar years made field medicine almost unrecognisable compared to 1918, this was tempered by vast innovations in the destructive power of the machines of war. From the Maginot Line to the Far East, Irish doctors risked their lives in a terrifying new landscape. This richly illustrated book tells the stories of Irish medical personnel who served, and includes excerpts from first-hand accounts, such as that of Aidan MacCarthy, a Japanese POW who was present when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, as well as heartrending reports from Irish doctors arriving in liberated concentration camps. Combined with its meticulously compiled Roll of Honour commemorating those who served, it is a powerful tribute to their humanity and indomitable spirit.
Among those featured are three Roscommon doctors. Gerard Joseph Hanly was born on July 21st, 1900 at Elphin. He was the eleventh child of John Hanly, a farmer and Winifred Breslin his wife. He was educated at Summerhill College in Sligo and UCG achieving an MB, BCh, BAO. (NUI 1923). FRCS Edin. 1931. MRCS and FRCS. Dec. 1940. He was commissioned to the RAF Medical Service in 1924. Flt Lt 1926. Sq. Ldr 1934. Wing Comdr 1938. Group Capt. 1942. He served in India, Iraq, Aden, and Egypt. He married Miriam Duff on July 24th, 1937, who survived him with two daughters. Sadly he died on active service in the Middle East in August 1942.
James Michael (John) McNamara, Roscommon achieved an MB, BCh, BAO (NUI 1923). He was a Surgeon Commander RN. He first enlisted on the 19th Dec. 1928 but was killed in action in April 1942 on the HMS Hermes at just 42 years of age.
The final entry is for James Joseph Murray which simply states “Address: Co. Roscommon (RCSI 1941). RAMC Mar. 1941”.
The book is written by Patrick J. Casey, Kevin T. Cullen and Joe P. Duignan.
Patrick J. Casey is a founding member of the Medal Society of Ireland. He is a life-long military medal collector with a keen interest in the profiles of those awarded military honours. He has written numerous articles on the history of Irish Regiments, their insignia, uniforms and awards.
Kevin T. Cullen is a retired geologist and past President of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland. He compiled and self-published the World War One Roll of Honour for County Monaghan, his native county, in 2010.
Joe P. Duignan is a retired surgeon and former Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He has lectured on the nature and treatment of wounds and diseases of past military campaigns from the Crimea to World War Two, and on the medical advances during this period.
