R.I.C. Sergeant Thomas Martin Craddock Killed in Athlone!

Thomas M. Craddock joined the R.I.C. on 15th June 1895. A native of Donegal, he joined from Cavan, aged "eighteen and four / twelfths", with no previous employment. D.I. Miller recommended him. He was 5ft 10¼. His religion was Roman Catholic. His Allocation Record - Donegal 13th November 1895, Reserve 24th May 1898, Seconded 22/1/1900 (This would have been for the Boer War) Belfast, Westmeath 1st April 1905, Promoted Acting Sergeant 1st December 1910, Reserve 20th February 1912, Westmeath 1st April 1912, Promoted Sergeant 1st October 1912, Continued in Leitrim and Galway. (From the Westmeath Independent, February 17th 1912 - R.I.C. News "Acting Sergeant Craddock who was stationed in Athlone for a number of years, transferred to the reserve in Dublin depot").

Lawder Brothers (Dublin) Carte-de-Visite (no date) showing Thomas Craddock (left), with R. P. Lawless, P. Connolly and another, after his return from the Boer War.

From the Westmeath Independent. Saturday August 28th 1920. R.I.C. SERGEANT SHOT DEAD IN ATHLONE. On leaving Comrades of the Great War Club. Comrade Constable tells story of occurrence. Connaught section of Town proclaimed and put under curfew ordinance.

Sergeant Thomas Martin Craddock of the Royal Irish Constabulary situated at Fry Place, Athlone was fired at early on Sunday morning last, (Sunday 22nd August 1922) outside the Comrades of the Great War Club in King Street (Pearse Street) and died within half an hour in the hospital attached to the adjoining military barracks.
Deceased, who was about forty three years of age was unmarried, and had a service of twenty five years, the majority of which he spent in Athlone. He was on active service through portion of the South Africa Campaign.

Accompanied by a number of Police, Sergeant Craddock was on duty last Saturday through the streets of Athlone and he returned to Barracks about 10 o'clock at night. At a quarter past Eleven he left with Const Denis Mahon, for the Comrades of the Great War Club, which he occasionally frequented. He was one of a number of interested spectators there in a Billiard handicap, had a few drinks at the club bar, and left for his lodgings along with Constable Mahon, about 12:30 am. He was preceded downstairs by his comrade, who opened the Club Door and walked out on the footpath. Immediately the Sergeant made his appearance a shot rang out, followed at once by several more shots. The Police were then facing up King Street, which in the ordinary course, is the route they would have taken, as the Sergeant was apparently accustomed to go up King Street and down O'Connell Street. They turned and ran in the direction of Barrack Street, presumably with the object of seeking shelter in the military barracks. Sergeant Craddock ran only a few paces, when he fell, mortally wounded in the abdomen.

 
His assailants made their escape up King Street. Though badly wounded , it is believed the Sergeant drew his revolver and fired at least three shots in the direction of where his assailants to all appearances originally were on the street opposite the club entrance, this is bourne out by the fact that a bullet lodged in the wall of the gable end of Mr. Tighe's hairdressing establishment; a second bullet passed through the room window of Mr. Fallers, and a third entered the door jamb of Mr. R. Wheatley's hairdressing establishment further up King Street, penetrated the door leading to first-class saloon and lodged in the interior. Bullet marks in a corner composed mainly through the irregularity of the buildings in that particular portion of the street would go to indicate that the attackers while running up King Street replied to the Sergeants fire. The belief that Sergeant Craddock fired while lying on the ground is strengthen by the fact that when he was discovered on the pavement a revolver was lying close at hand.

Meanwhile, Constable Mahon, who was unarmed, according to his statement at the inquest later, reached the military barracks and reported the occurrence and a stretcher was at once sent for his comrade. Alarmed at the noise of the shooting and curious to ascertain its origin, several of the club members rushed downstairs. Groans where heard outside and ultimately Sergeant William Craddock was found lying on the footpath near the doorway. He was carried into the hall and a few minutes afterwards was removed on a stretcher to the Victoria Barracks hospital, he was evidently in dreadful agony. In response to a messengers call, Rev. P.V. Gallagher C.C. St. Peters, attended and medical aid was sent for, but before the arrival of the Priest or Doctor, the injured man had expired. He was partial conscious all the time, but beyond a mere monosyllable in response to an inquiry as he was being carried into the club hall, he made no statement.

The shooting created some sensation in the locality. Large forces of Police and Military subsequently turned out and made a exhaustive search through the district. A largely attended dance was proceeding in the Irish National Foresters Hall, Fry Place and the building was entered by a military officer, who questioned the promoters: the function was not otherwise interfered with. Even at this hour the streets where not quite deserted and pedestrians who happened to be passing from the Connaught side to the Leinster side or vice versa, were halted and interrogated. Much activity prevailed through the early hours of the morning.

The shooting was a principal topic of reference throughout Athlone and district on Sunday. The scene of the tragedy was visited and inspected by hundreds of people. At last Mass in St. Peters, Rev T. Gallagher, C.C. referred briefly to the occurrence that had taken place in King Street early that morning and he asked the prayers of the congregation for the repose of the soul of a man so suddenly called before his maker. The military activity on Sunday was accentuated when towards evening notices were posted in conspicuous places all over the urban area, proclaiming by order of Brigadier-General Lambert of the Athlone District Headquarters, the Connaught section of the town and imposing curfew regulations as from Monday midnight, the hours appointed being 10:30pm and 5:30am. The Town bridge was occupied by troops and heavily barricaded. The approaches were under the range of machine guns from an armoured car. When darkness fell the streets were comparatively deserted. All vehicular traffic was held up for inspection. This condition of affairs continued until late on Monday evening when the Troops where removed off the Bridge. Both the local Police and Military authorities did everything possible in the excited state of the district to preserve the peace and as far as possible restore normal conditions to a hitherto unusually uneventful and peaceful Town.

Constable tells at Inquest story of the fatal attack . Statement by District Inspector. Verdict of bullet wounds inflicted by unknown person or persons.

On Monday afternoon, at 2 o'clock an inquest was held in the Sergeants Mess at Victoria Barracks, by Mr John Gaynor, Coroner for Co Westmeath. Mr Richard Lillis was foreman of the Jury, the other members of which were Messrs. W. McNeill, Francis Henry, O. J. Gormley, M. Dunning, W. Steele, Thomas McLoughlin, James Carolan, John McManns, Thomas O'Brien, S. Heaton, Joseph Tighe and W. Walsh.

The Police where not in attendance when the Jury were sworn, but they were present when the jury attended having viewed the body in the mortuary attached to the Military Hospital. It was explained that their absence was due to an impression the jury had not turned up. Captain Carlyle , District Inspector, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police, the next of kin were not legally represented. The first witness called was Constable Denis Mahon. He stated the body lying in the mortuary as that of Sergt. Thomas Martin Craddock. The District Inspector and Coroner began to question the Constable.

He was stationed with you in the Fry Place Police Barracks?
Yes.
You left the barracks in his company at about 11.15pm, on the night of the 21st?
I did.
And you proceeded to the Comrades of the Great War Club in King Street?
We did.
How long did it take you to down to the club?
In or about 10 Minutes.
And how long did you remain there ?
We got there about half past eleven and remained there for some time in the same club watching a game of billiards, there was a billiards handicap on.
Coroner What time did you leave the club?
At about 12:15am, sometime after twelve.
Both of you went together?
Nobody was with us. We walked downstairs, the two of us. I was in front and the Sergeant came after me.
Who opened the door?
I Did.
And then you went out into King Street?
Yes, We turned to the left facing up King Street
Where were you going to when you left the Club?
We were going to our lodgings, going home.
And you turned to the left to go up King Street?
Yes.
The whole thing happened outside the Club door?
Yes, We were only two paces away from the Club door. And were going up to the left, when we were fired at.
What happened then?
Instantly a shot rang out, after that there was a volley, and then there were several volleys.
From what direction did they come?
They were coming from the opposite side of the street, and then we were fired at as we proceeded towards Barrack Street. The shots came from the direction of Mr Wheatleys,
The Hairdressers?
Yes, it would be from that direction.
You saw the flashes?
I did.
Did a bullet strike anyway near you?
One struck near my right elbow on the wall beside me, it was on my left side.
Did you see any men around?
No, the night was dark and I could only see moving objects - dark figures moving about.
They were lined across the road in front of you?
They were.
What happened when the shots were fired?
We ran for shelter and the Sergeant fell, and I ran to the Military Barracks to inform them that he was shot.
{A voice from the back of the court here interjected " You were a good soldier"}
You turned and an in the direction of the military barracks?
Yes.
Where did the Sergeant fall?
On the footpath. The whole thing occurred in a few seconds,
How far did he get before he fell?
About five of six yards.
And you continued on to the military barracks?
Yes, and I gave the alarm there. I heard a man say down there that I was a good soldier, but I had no arms with me.
Nor had the Sergeant, I suppose?
Well, I could not say about him, but I had no arms on me.
A party turned out with a stretcher from the military barracks,
Yes.
And they returned with Sergeant Craddock?
Yes, They conveyed him to the military hospital,
You were with him there?
Yes, I was along with him there. I assisted in putting him into bed.
You removed his jacket?
Yes, His Frock.
You saw where he had two wounds?
I did.
You were there until he died?
I was.
That was about half an hour after he was hit?
Yes, about half an hour.
Was he unconscious at the time?
No, he was not, he was semi-conscious
Did he make any statement?
No, he was in great agony.
The place were Sergeant Craddock fell was about thirty yards from the guardroom of the military barracks?
Yes.

Ex. Sergt-Major Thos Handcock, 10, OConnell Street, Athlone, was next examined. (He was on 1901 Census in Athlone ranked Corporal living with his wife in in O’Keefe St).

You where in the Comrades Club on the night of the 21st?
Yes, I was in the Comrades Club.
Did you see Sergeant Craddock there?
I did and I also saw Const. Mahon.
Did you see them leave?
No, I did not exactly see them leave.
You heard some shooting in the street?
Yes, shortly after midnight.
When the firing ceased you opened the door?
Yes and I stood in the doorway.
You heard a groan?
Yes and I looked around for a minute and I could not see anybody. Then I found a man lying on the pavement, it was Sergeant Craddock. I went out from the door a few feet and struck a match and found him lying there. He was just outside the door. It was not a yard away from the door where his feet were lying. The Sergeant was lying on his stomach on the pavement. I then started off to go and fetch a stretcher in the guardroom and as I thought they would not come for me , I called on the Soldiers to fetch a stretcher. When I got back there were some men carrying Sergt Craddock into the porch of the Comrades Club. I afterwards assisted in carrying him into the military hospital when the party arrived with the stretcher. When we got to the hospital I took of his boots and helped put him into bed.
Did you remain until he died?
No, I went for medical assistance. I went to fetch the military doctor , I do not know what his name is.

Wm. Downey, caretaker of the Club, whose name was mentioned as a witness, was not called. The District Inspector in reply to the Coroner, remarking that his evidence would be purely corroborative. Dr Arthur Francis Dobbs said he had made a post mortem examination that day with Major McEwen, R.A.M.C.

Coroner: What did you find?
The actual fatal wound was a penetrating one situated on the right side of the abdomen. When I saw the body rigor mortis had set in.
Was there any trace of violence?
There where four wounds apparently on his body.
There was a through and through wound on the right shoulder.
District Inspector:
Could you say how the wounds were caused?
They were caused by a bullet. The wound on the shoulder was caused by a bullet fired from behind and it was a penetrating wound. There was superficial burning on the front of the abdomen probably caused by a bullet grazing his abdomen. In the case of the wound on the right side of the abdomen the bullet took a downward direction and I found it lodged in the lower pelvic bone on the left side. (The bullet referred to was produced) The abdomen was almost full of blood. He died from haemorrhage and shock caused by a bullet.
You only found one bullet?
That is all. The bullet in the shoulder went in on one side and out on the other.
Major McEwen, R.A.M.C. said he was called to see Sergeant Craddock on the 22nd at about 1am in the morning.
Was he alive then?
Well, I saw him at 12:23 am and he was then dead. I was informed that he died at about 1 o'clock. I can produce evidence on the point if you think it necessary. I examined him at the time and I found him suffering from a wound on the right side of the abdomen, and superficial abrasion on the abdomen and a through and through wound on the shoulder. I was present at the post mortem with Dr Dobbs, and I agree with his evidence.
District Inspector; The bullet that was found in the Body was the one that caused death?
Yes.
Coroner: Well gentlemen, that concludes the evidence. Now we have to come to a conclusion as to how this poor unfortunate Sergeant met his death. We have the evidence of two Doctors and others that he was shot by somebody in King Street on the night of the 21st. We do not know who it was or how many were in it, but someone fired at him and the other Constable, and the result was that this poor unfortunate was shot, and that he died in the military hospital afterwards from the result of the shooting.
District Inspector; Do you mind me making a few remarks?
Coroner: Oh not at all.
District Inspector; Gentlemen, this poor man who was shot had about twenty five years service in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He joined at a time was not resting under such a cloud as it is resting beneath now, and when men were a little bit whiter. He served faithfully for many years and to my own knowledge was a most upright and most noble minded man. He did his duty fearlessly and conscientiously. He was never known and I do not think any living human being could say that he ever wronged any person. He was cut down the other night and he had been sent to his last account by whom we do not know. But these occurrences now in our country are almost daily. During the last forty eight hours, eight members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been sent to their doom. Who are these things being done by? Are they being done by Irishmen? Has any man a right to disgrace the name of his own country. Each man may have his own political opinion, but the same sense of honour belongs to all of us. What ever we think about a country ought to be good. No man has a right to take Gods law into his own hands and commit the foul crime of murder for whatever object he may wish to attain. I ask you to show that what ever your political opinions maybe that you have no sympathy with this low, foul method of attaining whatever end you may desire, and to show you condemn it and heartily condemn it , and I wish you to find a verdict of wilful murder of the most foul description. Committed by persons we do not know.
The Jury deliberated in private and found: "This jury is of the opinion from the evidence produced that the death of Sergeant Craddock, R.I.C. was caused by bullet wounds inflicted by some person or persons unknown, and we hereby tender to deceased's relatives our heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement".
Coroner; I agree with that; I think that is a most proper verdict.

Head Constable Feeney intimated that deceased was forty three years and was not married.

THE FUNERAL
On Monday evening the remains were removed from the Hospital mortuary and conveyed to St Peters Church where Mass was celebrated. Attached to the door of the deceased residence in Chapel Street was the customary bunch of crepe surrounding an envelope on which was written the funeral arrangements. On Tuesday afternoon the remains were removed for internment to Ballinasloe, of which deceased was a native and where his father was formerly stationed as Head Constable. On portion of this journey, which was by road, the remains were accorded full military honours. The funeral procession was preceded by the band of the Leicester Regiment. The coffin draped in the Union Jack, followed on a gun carriage, and after it came to a motor conveying the dead man's mother, sister and near relatives. Police stationed locally and in the outlaying district marched two-deep behind Co. Inspector Tyrell and District Inspector Carlyle. Amongst the processionists were a number of Staff Officers connected with the District Headquarters followed by a large number of officers, non commissioned officers and men. In this order the funeral proceeded to the outskirts of the Town, from which point the remains were carried at a more rapid rate to their last resting place.

(Above): Thomas Craddock's grave in the Old Cemetery, Ballinasloe.

CURFEW IN ATHLONE. The First Arrests Made.

The curfew came into active operation on Monday night. Promptly at half past ten the streets where cleared, and the whole area outlined in the proclamation was constantly patrolled by Troops. A number of persons who evidently under a misapprehension, being led to believe that because the bridge guard had been removed the curfew order had been revoked, were taken into custody and remained in the military guardroom for several hours. People found standing at doors were cautioned and put inside. In connection with the summoning of a jury for the inquest, it was generally believed that some difficulty would be experienced in gathering the requisite number, but this belief , as it subsequently transpired , was disproved. Several Jurors remarked upon the wording of the summons which without containing any intimidation of a fine for non-attendance , included the following : "Fail not at your peril".

The following information was listed on the same page as the report on Sgt. Craddock.
Curfew order. The Curfew order was put in force on the Connaught area of the town from Monday night last following the shooting of sergeant Craddock in that area. The curfew hours are from 10.30pm to 5.30am.

Narrow Escape. Mrs Faller, King Street (Pearse St) had a marvellous escape in the shooting affray on Saturday night. Up to a minute before the occurrence took place she was engaged at her sewing machine close to the window through which two bullets entered. She had only gone to another apartment when the shots rang out.

Curfew Arrests. Four arrests were made on Monday night during curfew hours and it is stated the persons arrested were kept in the guardroom until Tuesday morning. A few girls who remained on the street after 10:30pm on the same night were ordered indoors by the military.

Pedestrians Alarmed. On the Leinster side of the town which is not affected by the curfew order, there was a number of people about after 10:30 o’clock on Tuesday night. A number of person’s, most of them juveniles, remained about the bridge watching the procedure at the barricade, when a few of the military patrol marched evidently to clear the bridge. The action was mistaken for a bayonet charge and without looking behind the pedestrians ran in a state of panic for their homes. Happily no untoward incident occurred or was in contemplation by the military who returned to their post when the town bridge was cleared.

Streets Cleared. Following the panic which occurred on the previous night after curfew hours, the Republican Police had the streets cleared on Wednesday night at 11pm to prevent a recurrence.

Amusing Curfew Incident. A donkey which selected Goldsmith Terrace Corner as a resting on Wednesday night was rudely awakened by the approach of the military patrol. The donkey hearing the click of the feet of the patrol rushed towards Excise street by the footpath, his shoes tipping the footpath sounded like the operation of a machine gun and some of the patrol anticipated an attack. On discovering the cause of the alarm was a harmless donkey, the members of the patrol laughed heartily at their comrades mistake.

Additional Reporting.

From the East Galway Democrat Saturday August 28th 1920. Shot Dead At Midnight. Sergeant Leaving Club.

Sergeant Thomas Craddock R.I.C. was fired upon at 12:30 am on Sunday night when leaving the Comrades of the Great War Club, Athlone, and died within half an hour. Deceased who was accompanied by Const McMahon, was fired at immediately that he stepped out onto King Street. Opposite the Club is a narrow Street, one of the sidewalks of the military barracks, where there is a recess usually containing a few cars or barrels. These may have afforded cover to the attackers who numbered about 7. Several shots were heard in the vicinity and 6 took effect, the one which proved fatal causing internal bleeding.

Military and Police at once turned out, and a thorough search of the district was made. There was a dance proceeding at the Irish National Forester Hall in aid of the Railway workers strike fund and inquires where made by the Authorities there but the gathering was not interrupted.

Deceased was unmarried and had about 25 years service , and served in the South African War. He lived with his Mother and Sister. It is said he had lately been employed with the Crime Special Headquarters and that he had received threatening letters. At St Peter’s Catholic Church, Rev T P Gallagher asked for Prayers for deceased soul.

On Tuesday the remains of Sergeant Craddock were removed from St Peter’s Catholic Church, Athlone for interment at Ballinasloe. The envelope with the crepe on the door of deceased’s residence bore the words “Shot By Cowards”. The remains were accorded full military honours, the band of the Leicestershire Regt heading the cortege. Police and military marched behind the gun carriage conveying the remains. The military guard on Athlone bridge was withdrawn on Monday night, but 3 curfew arrests were made by Patrols.

 

From the Western News Saturday August 28th 1920. Murdered! Death of Thomas Craddock.

In the providence of a Great and Merciful God, Ballinasloe has had it first and closest connection with Ireland’s shocking crime during the past week. A brave and gallant young man, who had offered his life for his country when his country needed it sorely, had his murdered remains brought here to be buried. What a fearful climax to noble young life!.

Thomas Craddock was the only son who lived for years at the “Big Tree” Gatehouse at Garbally. As an ex-service military man, he joined the police*, and met the fate by which so many have been brutally assailed. He was interred on Wednesday, his remains being attended to Creagh graveyard * by a body of Police and Military with their band. The cortege, which included Mrs Craddock and the deceased Sister, was as large as any seen in Ballinasloe for a long time.

Father Heenan officiated at the graveside and his panegyric of the deceased, and sympathy with the family was worthy of Father Heenan’s learning and great eloquence and the tender heart that moves both to the dignity of profound pathos. With the mother and other relatives of the murdered hero, we deeply sympathise. RIP

On next column to above article; "On Tuesday a murdered man named Craddock was buried in Ballinasloe. The Clergyman who officiated - an unusual thing amongst natives in burying the murdered man was and is a member of the society that murdered him! On the same morning (Tuesday) there was a report of the burning of 40 Houses of Roman Catholics in Lisburn and a loss of about a quarter million of money".

From the Belfast Telegraph, Monday August 28th 1920 page 6. Death From Darkness.

Sergeant Thomas Craddock was shot dead in King Street, Athlone on Saturday night. Sergeant Craddock accompanied by a Constable had just left the hall of the Comrades of the Great War in King Street when about a dozen shots where fired at him. It was quite dark at the time but several took effect.

The murder took place within 300yds of the Barracks but owing to the darkness it was impossible to estimate the number of assailants or to trace them. They concealed behind some empty porter barrels on the opposite side of the street. The first volley wounded the unfortunate Sergeant and drawing his automatic pistol he endeavoured to return the fire. The second volley was directed with deadly accuracy and six or seven bullets struck the sergeant who fell in the Street a Doctor and a Priest where quickly summoned, but by the time the victim was removed to the Military Hospital life was extinct.

The ill fated officer who’s father was a Head Constable in the R.I.C. joined the force from Co Donegal. He had spent 15 years in Athlone and served throughout the South African War. He was for several years stationed at Lisburn Rd., Belfast. He was a single man and had about twenty years service. His relatives reside at Ballinasloe, about twelve miles from Athlone.

The witness, Thomas Hancock, is listed on the 1901 census for Athlone, living in St Peters Parish in Percy St. He was aged 23 and listed as a Corporal. He had been born in England and his wife, Mary had been born in Wales. He had served in the Royal Field Artillery.

In 1900, Thomas Craddock, was mentioned briefly in the Constabulary Gazette, of February 10th 1900. He had volunteered for a Hospital Corps, that was drawn from volunteers in the R.I.C. which was organised by Lord Iveagh. The duties of the party where to relive the suffering and aid the wounded of the Boer War. The 15 strong party was recruited from the R.I.C. and personally inspected and seen off to South Africa by the Inspector General, Sir Andrew Reed KCB, at the Phoenix Park R.I.C. Depot on 31 January 1900, along with T Singleton Assistant Inspector General, E M P Wynne Private Secretary to the Inspector General and W A O’Connell Adjutant.

The names of the other volunteers where; Sergeants Carroll, Lowry and Cross; Acting Sergeants Duffy and Hewitt, and Constables Browne, Fitzsimons, Sheehan, Woods, Gillespie, Murphy, Condon, McCormack, Corry, Connolly (picture of) and Gallagher. They party of Volunteers left Dublin on Friday morning and marched from the Royal Barracks to the North wall in Dublin, and there where many well wishers according to the report. The Volunteers left for South Africa on the Steam Ship Violet, which berthed in the River Liffey from deeper water.

On 5th. March 1921 a compensation case was settled in Mullingar Court: STORY HERE.

K. Snow. November 2009.

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