THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of January 1921

A draft 70 members of the Special Constabulary for Ulster, recruited in Londonderry city and county, left the city on Wednesday, January 5, 1921 for the Newtownards training camp, reported the News Letter.

Sixty-one of the men had been drafted from the city itself while a further nine had come from nearby parts of the county.

They paraded in Victoria police barracks at 10 o’clock and were the escorted to the Midland Railway Station by the fife and drum band of the Queen’s Royal Regiment.

The News Letter noted: “Scenes reminiscent the early days of the war marked their departure. All along the route from the police barracks large crowds assembled, and enthusiastically cheered the men as they proceeded the station, there being considerable waving of Union Jacks and crimson handkerchiefs.”

Meanwhile, the station was thronged with well-wishers, who gave the recruits, most of whom were ex-servicemen of fine physique “a very hearty send-off”.

The men were seen off by Colonel Moore-lrvine, commandant the Londonderry Special Constabulary; Inspector Gregory, RIC, District-Inspector Cahill, RIC, Mr Thomas Moore, paymaster the Londonderry Special Constabulary, and Head Constable Cooke, RIC.

Drafts from Eglinton. Castlerock, Coleraine, and other parts of the county joined the detachment at the various stations along the line, the total number for the county and city being 160.

Attempted train wrecking at Clones

On the night of the January 1st 1921, reported the News Letter, there had been some interruption in the block telegraph communication between Clones and Monaghan, and the following morning it was found that an attempt had been made to remove outside rail of the line about one and three-quarter miles on the Clones side of Smithborough.

This information was conveyed to the police. Both lines were thoroughly examined, when it was found that one rail had all the fastenings removed except the crab bolts. The line was at once put in proper order for traffic.

Meanwhile also on the same day the 6.40pm train from Belfast was held up at Glaslough for a long time owing to the wires being cut between that station and Monaghan.

The News Letter remarked: “No doubt the attempt to remove the rail was in conjunction with the wire-cutting, with a view to derailment of the 6.40pm train, but the miscreants evidently had not time to finish the job.”