General Lucas Capture and the Saving of Fermoy
This is the extraordinary story of how a young student from Lackendarra, Glantane was instrumental in saving the town of Fermoy from destruction by British forces after the capture of General Lucas, their commanding officer, by the IRA on Sunday 20th. June 1920, during the War of Independence.
This was the most senior army officer ever captured by the IRA and the British Secretary of State, Winston Churchill, was aghast at such a daring capture and had intended seriously reprimanding Gen. Lucas for allowing himself to be so easily captured but public sympathy for Lucas and his ordeal had made him a hero and Churchill read the mood of the people and desisted. Before the centenary of this extraordinary event passes by it is opportune to tell the story of how events unfurled that famous day.
The Fishing Trip
General Lucas who was a very experienced officer with the British Army and served, in the field, during the first world war, was appointed commander of the 16th infantry brigade and was stationed in Fermoy Barracks. He liked fishing and the River Blackwater was one of the foremost salmon fishing rivers in the British Isles so it was a major draw for Lucas and on the 20th June 1920, along with colonels Danford and Tyrrell and his personal assistant they made their way to Kilbarry outside Fermoy for a days salmon fishing.
Gen. Lucas’s Capture
Gen. Liam Lynch was informed that three British army officers from Fermoy barracks were seen fishing on the Blackwater River near Clondullane and laid plans to capture them. Lynch organised a kidnap party and proceeded to the area in two cars. Lucas’s assistant had stayed in the fishing hut, on guard, but was taken by surprise. The party then moved on to the three officers and captured them without incident. Lucas’s assistant was sent back to the barracks to report the kidnap and with a demand note for conditions for his release. Sean Moylan and George Power took Tyrrell in one car and Lynch and Paddy Clancy took Lucas and Danford in the other car. As the convoy progressed Danford grabbed the steering wheel and Lucas attacked Lynch. The car crashed and in the ensuring fight, Lynch got the better of Lucas but Clancy was in trouble, however, when Lucas was subdued Danford made a run for it but was shot in the shoulder and recaptured. The first car turned back to the scene and Lynch decided to leave Tyrrell with the injured Danford and the three IRA men proceeded on their way with Lucas.
Imprisonment
It had been decided that the best place to hide Lucas was in the Lombardstown Company area which was well known to Liam Lynch as he had used the area as his headquarter for extended periods during the War of Independence. The house selected was that of the O Connell family in Lackendarra where John and Michael were staunch IRA activists and another brother, Liam, gave his life to the cause in Dublin the following October.
General Lucas arrived as a prisoner at about 3.00 am on 21st June 1920 with Liam Lynch himself as chief custodian and the escort also included Ned Murphy, Gerry Buckley and Gerry O Hanlon. Gen. Lucas was imprisoned in one of the bedrooms. Liam Lynch stayed on and Michael McCarthy, from nearby Cregane, along with the O Connells were on guard duty. Another brother to the O Connells, Patrick who was a student in St. Coleman’s College in Fermoy, arrived home later that Monday evening, on holidays, and when he entered the kitchen his mother asked if there was any news from Fermoy to he told that all hell was about to break loose in the town as the British Army garrison threatened to bomb and burn down the town unless their general was released within 24 hours. The man sitting by the fireside, Liam Lynch, who was reading a book, jumped up on hearing this and questioned Patrick about the veracity of his comments. Satisfied, he got notepaper and a pen and went to Gen. Lucas who obliged by writing a note to state he was still in command and under no circumstances was Fermoy to be touched. He also gave instructions on where and to whom the note should be delivered and now the question was how to get it there.
Cycle to Fermoy
John O Connell volunteered to cycle there but Lynch did not want that as it could lead to disclosure of where Lucas was held. Michael McCarthy was then given the job and set out on a 25 mile cycle to Fermoy. When he arrived at the designated premises in the small hours of the morning the owner refused to open the door, he could not deliver it to the army barracks as he could be captured and used as a hostage, so he decided to roust up the local priest who promised to deliver the note. Another account indicates that Lynch gave a name and location also and the letter was delivered there when the first attempt failed. Some looting and damage had already taken place but the town was saved almost certain destruction by a throwaway comment by young Patrick O Connell. The above account was documented by John O Connell himself.
Gen. Lucas Escape
Gen. Lucas was transferred to the McCarthy home in Creggane, Lombardstown that Monday night for a short time before being moved out of the area to West Limerick and Clare. A month later he escaped near Herbertstown in East Limerick and found his way to Pallasgrean where he was picked up by a British patrol. It was suspected he was deliberately allowed escape as his captivity was using up too much resources and drawing intense searches. If he thought his troubles were over he got a rude awakening when the patrol were ambushed near Oola, two Black and Tans were killed and the rest were lucky to escape. It would be most ironic if Lucas was killed after surviving as a captive for over a month. When the British press descended in droves to hear his story and expecting to receive a lurid account of his torture and mistreatment at the hands of savages he made one telling statement when he declared the now immortal words “I was treated as a gentleman by gentlemen” His grand daughter has also indicated such an outcome. There was a lot of truth in that statement as his captors had a grudging admiration for Lucas and he, likewise, for his captors.
Life as a prisoner
While in captivity he helped save hay with the McCarthys near Lombardstown and taught his captor how to play bridge and the card game patience. He was invited on a salmon poaching trip on the Shannon which he initially refused in fear of getting arrested by a water bailiff but, when told the boatman was the chief bailiff, he relented. Another incident that he got great mileage out of occurred while in custody in Caherconlish, Co. Limerick when he was taken for exercise through nearby fields and the party were chased by a bull. They clambered onto a high bank but when the bull appeared to be able to reach them his two guards decided to shoot the bull but Lucas advised against it and they succeeded in scrambling along the bank and away from danger. Lucas recalled that incident many times with humour when telling the story of how a simple farm animal put the run on a British Army general and two high ranking officers of the IRA. His personal letters indicate his participation in some farm tasks, fishing, salmon poaching at night, card playing, tennis and being chased by a bull. He was supplied with whiskey almost on demand.
His grand daughter wrote:
“My grandfather, Brig. General Cuthbert Henry Tindall Lucas was captured by the IRA in 1920 and held for over a month. He was treated exceptionally well and eventually ‘allowed’ to escape. It is one of the few ‘good’ stories to come from a very dark period during the Irish War of Independence.”
He was especially thankful to the women who looked after him in the various houses where he was held captive. It was obvious that his captors had a grudging respect for the general and likewise he for his captors. Two incidence illustrate the respect both parties had for each other. Lucas set the ball rolling very early, by commanding his officers not to damage Fermoy and the IRA reciprocated by allowed Lucas send letters to his wife who was about to give birth to their first born.
Another significant attribute to Gen. Lucas was his integrity when he did not reveal the names of his captors or the locations of imprisonment. He retired from the British army in 1932 and died in 1958 after a long and peaceful retirement.
Comments about this page
An excellent story, very well told.
Well researched giving vivid information. There are good eggs in most baskets.
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