Edmund O'Sullivan's military service with the 38th Irish Brigade

online resource

posted on 2024-06-05, 19:02 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Our father, Edmund O'Sullivan was born in 1918. He joined the British Army in 1936.

Served as a Colour Sergeant in the London Irish Rifles, serving in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy and Austria.

High-point of his war was participating in the audience granted by Pope Pius XII to a representative delegation (150 members) of the 38th Irish Brigade at the Vatican in June 1944 (after the liberation of Rome).

Lamented the destruction of the war in Italy. Trained as a front-line platoon sergeant but was made a quartermaster.

Patricia was born in Brixton in 1919. Worked for GWR as a typist in a reserved occupation.

History

Item list and details

1. Caubeen [Replica] and Cap badge 2. Royal Irish Fusiliers Gazette 3. "The Irish Brigade in Italy" Brigade reports / 'War Diary' manuscript 4. Front and back cover of "All my brothers" book - biography of father, Edmund O'Sullivan, detailing war service

Person the story/items relate to

Edmund O'Sullivan & Patricia Webb

Person who shared the story/items

Richard & Edmund O'Sullivan

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Richard & Edmund O'Sullivan's parents

Type of submission

Shared at Islington Local History Centre, London on 9 December 2023.

Record ID

116695 | ISL002

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Licence

CC BY 4.0