David had a glittering military career
DAVID O’MORCHOE CBE, late of Oulartleigh House, Tara Hill, Gorey, died peacefully last month surrounded by his loving family.
The Gorey man is a former Royal British Legion officer is credited with reinventing the organisation’s image in the Republic of Ireland with the role he took on keep the memory of Irish soldiers who fought in the British army alive in Ireland.
Born in 1928, he grew up in Wexford and was schooled in Dublin in St Columba’s College before attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and from there he was commissioned into the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
He joined the British army after World War II in 1946, and when he retired from the army in 1979 he returned to his roots in Wexford.
Ó Murchadha is an ancient Gaelic title which goes back to the kings of Leinster and David was a descendant of Donal Mór The O’Morchoe of Ourlarleigh.
David spent his life as a member and former chairman of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains.
He had a glittering military career beginning in 1946, and much of his service was spent with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, where he was commissioned from the Royal Military College in Sandhurst.
A true patriot, he always considered himself Irish and served in an Irish regiment, and kept that value with him throughout his involvement.
He served in the Suez Canal Zone, Aqaba, Gibraltar and Germany, and later in his career he had the responsibility of being Commander in Chief of the army of the Sultan of Oman.
Commanding the Royal Army of Oman, he was over the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers and the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
During the 1980s, David got involved in two charities, including the Republic of Ireland Branch of the Royal British Legion, looking after British ex-servicemen who had retired in Ireland.
The first time David O’Morchoe saw the queen was at his passing out parade at Sandhurst but in 2007, he was presented a CBE by her majesty the Queen in 2007, and this came as a shock to him at the time.
He was presented with the CBE for his services to the UK, Irish Relations and the cause of British Veterans in Ireland.
The British Ambassador, David Reddaway CMG MBE, presented the award in Dublin during the same year that David was listed on the 2007 New Years Honours List for services to British ex-Servicemen and women in Ireland.
Following this, during the royal state visit in 2011, David was on hand to guide the Queen around the grounds of the Irish Memorial War Garden at Islandbridge.
He has been widely praised for helping to ensure that Irish soldiers who fought with the British army, especially those who lost their lives in the two world wars, were remembered properly through quiet diplomacy.
In 2014, David’s launched the book ‘Irish Officers in the British Forces, 1922-1945 by Courtown author Dr Steven O’Connor.
In 2016, David played a part and was present for the 1916 commemorations, particularly with the British Ambassador.
Personally, David was an honourable and highly respected Major General, and was very fond of his children and grandchildren, instilling morals as well as pride and honour in them.
The love of his life was Margaret, whom he shared a full life with.
Together they brought up their children Dermot, Kevin, Deirdre and Maureen in Tara Hill on land which had belonged to his grandmother and aunt, as his father once owned Kiltennel rectory.
In retirement, he became the Chairman of the Trustees of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Island Bridge and built up a relationship with the Irish Defence Forces ex-service organisations, attending respective commemoration ceremonies, and social events.
In Wexford, he unveiled a stone which honoured deceased members in Craanford with the support of his fellow men.
He held a keen interest in history, from local to international history.
Following his recent passing, the President and Chairman of the Royal British Legion passed their personal condolences and those on behalf of all Legion members to his wife Margaret and the family, commenting that ‘something great has just extinguished’.
David O’Morchoe is survived by his wife Margaret, children Dermot, Kevin, Maureen and the late Deirdre, and is deeply regretted by his loving grandchildren, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.
May he Rest In Peace.