Lt. Eugene Ward McQuaid : Short Biography

Lt. Eugene Ward McQuaid. 

Eugene Ward McQuaid was born on Market Streeet, Cootehill, Co. Cavan on 16 November 1899 to Dr. Eugene W. McQuaid and Agnes Mayne.[1]  He was baptised on 18 November 1899, his sponsor was Thomas Mayne and Susan (surname unknown).[2]   His died from wounds received on 26 Februry 1923.[3]

The following newspaper reports detail those events.

From Freemans Journal 27 February 1923: 

A party of 45 Soldiers of which he was the medical officer were surrounded in a school house by a large force of Irregulars who fired on the school house with a Thompson machine gun, rifles and mausers.  The trapped National Army Soldiers negotiated the safe passage of the children and school teacher, although a cease fire had been arranged one Irregular sniper kept firing during the evacuation.  There was severe criticism of the Irregulars in the newspapers including The Freeman's Journal who reported that McQuaid was shot while clearly wounded, unarmed and wearing a Red Cross Badge.  Before joining the National Army he was Surgeon Probationer.[4]

From Freemans Journal, Thursday 1 March 1923:

MOURNED BY ALL

Last Tribute To Heroic Young Surgeon

'The funeral of the late Lt. E. W. McQuaid, surgeon-probationer, Cootehill, shot and fatally,' wounded by Irregulars at Newport, Co. Mayo on February 22, and whose death occurred on February 26, took place from the residence of his father, Dr. E. W. McQuaid, Cootehill, yesterday with full military honours.  The remains of deceased had been conveyed from Claremorris on the previous day, and were accompanied by Rev. J. C. McQuaid (half brother of deceased) and Dr. Mary F. Connolly, Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin (cousin), who were fortunate, in arriving at the bedside of the deceased at Claremorris a few hours beforo his death. It may be mentioned, as an example of the heroism of the late gallant young surgeon that when, he received the fatal bullet in the midst of almost half-a-dozen shots fired at him while displaying in daylight the Red Cross badge, he though wounded fatally, carried in his arms to what he considered a place of safety the wounded soldier whom he had been attending.  Deceased before death was fully fortified with the rites of the Catholic Church, of which he was a true member.

REMOVAL TO DUBLIN.

Leaving Claremorris for the railway station there was a large turn out of clergy, notary and townspeople, the military being under the command of General Simmons and Capt. Hurley, together with Very Rev. Dean Mack(?) and all the local clergy.  Capt. Callaghan and Lieut. Slattery accompanied the remains to Cootehill.  At the Broadstone the remains were met by Major George Hayes, General Ryan and officers of the Army Medical Service, together with the students of University Hall, under Rev. T. Finlay, S.J., and the College of Surgeons, under Mr Millar, Registrar, as well as Sir William Wheeler, President of the College of Surgeons and Capt. Stafford, all of whom accompanied the remains to Amiens Street Station.  At Cootehill the local garrison turned out as well as the clergy and townspeople of all denominations.

Rev. H. Galligan, C.C., Cootehill, officiated at the obsequies, assisted by Rev. P. Heery, C.S.Sp., and Rev. E. Cleary, C.S.Sp.

Father Galligan, in a short panegyric, referred to the noble death of deceased, who was shot down as he was rendering surgical aid to a soldier.  His life was spotless and pure, and he was beloved by all who knew him, and was the ideal of his military comrades.

MOURNERS AND LAST SCENES.

The chief mourners were—Dr. E. W. McQuaid (father). Rev. J. C. McQuaid, C.S.Sp., Dublin; John, Thomas and Matthew McQuaid (brothers); Dr. Mary P. Connolly (cousin); Dr. M. J. McQuaid, Ballyjamesduff (uncle), other relatives included—Gerald Mayne, Lord Edward Street, Dublin; John Hanlon, Cremorne Terrace, Dublin; P. Timmin, John and Mrs. Sherry, Castleshane, Monaghan.  The fellow students representing the College of Surgeons, Dublin, were Messrs. Berminghan, W. Flannery, H. Flannery and Hogan.[5]

[1]https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

[2]https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

[3]https://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/Olive/APA/INA/Default.aspx#panel=d…

[4] Freemans Journal, 27 February 1923.

[5] Freemans Journal, 1 March 1923.