Trouble for the army band in Knockraha in 1946
Knockraha Race committee used to hold an annual gymkhana in Knockraha, which kept going until the 1960s, an event the army band was invited to. Thought the author of the piece is unknown, an occasion from April 1945 is outlined, uncovered from old files by Jim Fitzgerald.
Outlining a ‘disturbance’ caused by some of the band members, it resulted in the Knockraha Race committee disputing payment of the agreed £5 fee, due to ‘unsatisfactory services provided’.
6 APRIL 1946
I am directed by the Minister for Defence to state that on the 2nd April, 1945, the 19th Battalion Band was engaged by the Knockraha Race committee to play at the race meeting held at Knockraha, Glanmire, Co. Cork. The committee had previously signified their willingness to pay a fee of £5 for the services of the band and to provide the necessary transport from and to Rockgrove Camp, Little Island.
When the vehicle made available by the committee ran short of petrol at Knockraha on the way to the racecourse, the members of the band alighted and played through the village. When the village had been passed, one of the members of the band addressed some remarks to another, regarding the careless manner in which he was keeping his place in the ranks. An argument then ensued as a result of which the private originally addressed, assaulted the commenter, striking him with his instrument. A struggle followed and two other members of the band (a corporal and a private) broke ranks with a view to separating the combatants, while the remainder of the band proceeded under the sergeant in charge towards the racecourse.
About ten minutes later, the personnel concerned in the disturbance had overtaken the main body when the original aggressor repeated the assault on the same member of the band, using very objectional language and creating a regrettable scene before the public. Some members of the band succeeded in bringing this disturbance to a conclusion, only by striking the offending member twice and rendering him practically insensible.
The main body of the band had by this time reached the racecourse. Later the assault was twice repeated at the racecourse (on one occasion during the performance of the musical programme). With the exception of one member, however, the band was well disciplined and the full musical programme arranged for the day was carried out.
DETENTION
On being charged later with using obscene language in public, disobeying a lawful order and damaging a band instrument, the offending soldier was sentenced to twenty-eight days detention with a penal deduction of £1.10.0 to cover the cost of repairs to the instrument. The sergeant in charge of the band was reprimanded for failing to maintain control over the members.
On the 11th June, 1945, a Receivable Order for £5 was issued to the secretary of the Knockraha Race committee in respect of the services of the band. In reply, the secretary referred to the affray which took place amongst the band on the day of the races and stated that, as the public was very displeased at the conduct of the band, and the services given, the committee considered that the services rendered were not worth the cost of the transport provided. It was then pointed out to the committee that, while it was regretted that the conduct of some members of the band on the occasion referred to was unsatisfactory, the full recital had been given by the band and the fee could not in the circumstances be waived.
RECOVERY OF DEBT
In a letter received on December 1st, the committee regretted that they could not approve of full payment owing to unsatisfactory services provided and offered to pay half the sum involved or the full fee if the gymnasium at Rockgrove Camp would be made available to them free of charge for a dance on a Sunday night in January.
This offer was refused on December 24th and as no reply was received to this letter or to a further communication dated January 28th, the committee was informed on February 22nd that, unless the fee was paid within seven days, the matter would be referred to the Chief State Solicitor for collection of the outstanding debt without further notice. No reply has since been received to this communication. Having regard to the exceptional circumstances of this case, the minister is not anxious to have the aid of the courts sought for the recovery of the outstanding debt and it is therefore proposed to settle the matter with the Knockraha Race committee on payment of half the sum involved.
I am accordingly to request the sanction of the Minister for Finance for the acceptance of the sum of £2.10.0 in full and final settlement of this department’s claim and his authority to waive recovery of the balance of £2.10.0.