Frances Collier and Lord Mountbatten

60 years ago, Frances Collier (nee Synnott) was a pretty famous children’s nurse.

The Bellewstown woman was attached to the head of the great princes of Ulster, Lord Hugh Rathcavan (London), son of Viscount O’Neill of Shane’s Castle. The former was first Speaker of the House of Commons for 37 years and was then a leading member of the House of Lords.

Other great families she served included General Douglas Kendrew, whose children she tended. The general, once Chief of the British Forces in Cyprus, married a Harvey of the famous Malin Hall, Co. Donegal, where Mrs. Collier met and became a close friend of Lady Montgomery, mother of Field Marshal Montgomery. Admiral Danby’s family she also knew. She also met and became acquainted with Lord Mountbatten of Burma, uncle of Prince Philip ; the family of the Bishop of Brechin, kinsman of the Duke of Montrose ; the Hon. A. Haig (niece of Earl Haig ) , who explained to her, while at tea in her home, how she made the humble poppy the emblem of war comforts.

Mrs. Collier’s most cherished memory was having tea on the Nelson Flagship.

Patrick Reynolds killed in action

THIS December will see the 100th anniversary of the death in action of Patrick Reynolds from Clogherhead.

Born in the village in November 1878, he would serve in the Royal Navy, part of the crew of HMS Cassandra.

He was killed on December 5, 1918 and his body was lost to the sea. He was married to Eliza Reynolds and she lived in Ringabella, Carragaline, Co Cork.

Cockle Road repairs are spot on

WELL done to the council again. The repairs on the Cockle Road have been carried out and they are top notch.

Hope the heavy trucks on it won’t eat it up again!