Press release
Latest release of material from the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today announced the latest release of material from the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection (MSPC) online. This release of records, containing approximately 2,350 new files, is the sixteenth release of material under the MSPC Project and the first release this year.
Welcoming this latest release, the Tánaiste said:
“I am very pleased to announce a further release of historical records contained in the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection. These files offer valuable insights into the first-hand experience of those involved in the struggle for independence, and allow members of the public the opportunity to discover more about their ancestors and their community during the period leading up to Irish independence.”
The files relate to claims lodged by 967 individuals/veterans or their dependents and contain new information on the War of Independence and the Civil War. They also provide substantial insights into post-conflict lives.
Among the 967 whose files are being released, 205 had an address in Cork, 181 in Dublin and 89 in Northern Ireland. A further 49 individuals had an address in England, 51 in the USA, 8 in Scotland, 2 in Canada and 2 in Australia.
This release sees 742 applications lodged under the Military Pensions Act 1934, and 101 applications for service pensions under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924 (National Army applicants). In addition to this, a further 188 applications including 14 applications by dependents (widows, mothers and siblings) were lodged under the Army Pensions Acts (Special Allowances, wounds, disability and dependents).
Taking into account all the MSPC file series, over 124,250 files have now been catalogued and approximately 84,100 have been digitised.
The release of material is now available to view at: www.militaryarchives.ie.
Origins and scope: The archives contained within the Military Service Pensions Collection were once active administrative files generated through legislation enacted by the newly formed Saorstát Éireann from June 1923. In post-conflict conditions, various legal acts were sanctioned to compensate members of certain organisations and their widows, children and dependents. Over time, legislation was enhanced and broadened to include more veterans, including the members of Cumann na mBan.
Two streams of legislation are relevant for the Military Service Pensions Collection:
Applicants were assessed by the Army Pensions Board, a Board of Assessors and later by a Referee and an Advisory Committee. The files are the result of the verification process and contain material submitted by the applicants in respect of their claims.
MSPC publications “Guide to the Military Service Pensions Collection”, a guide to the “Brigade Activity Reports”, and “A Very Hard Struggle - Lives in the Military Service Pensions Collection” are available to download on the Military Archives website.