Martin Delaney, Moyally, Moate.

Ex British Serviceman in receipt of British Army Pension, died 27th February 1947. He took the bus from Killbegan to Tubber and was found in the river by two workmen. He served in the Boer War and took part in the battle of Ladysmith, and was wounded in Flanders. He was buried in Tubber cemetery, and is remembered by Jack, William, Joseph and James, his brothers.

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*"Home" could mean anywhere in Ireland, Scotland Wales and England at the time.

Martin Delaney was born around 1884. His father was John Delaney and his mother was Bridget Delaney, listed as living at the Clara Rd, Moate and later the Rocks Gates, Moate.

At aged 18, he joined the Leinster Regiment, with Regimental number 6766 after enlisting in Birr, Co Offaly, on 7/10/1902, for three years with the Colours and nine years in the reserve and served at *Home until 3^{rd March 1903 when he left for South Africa where he remained until 3rd October 1905, he was then discharged to the reserve.}

At the outbreak of the First World War, Martin was mobilised as he was an Army reservist, and left as part of the British Expeditionary Force on the 6th August 1914, two days after War was declared. He remained in France until 17th October 1914 and was Home from 18th October 1914 till 2nd January 1915. He returned to France with the B.E.F. on 3rd January 1915 until 11th June 1915, and was Home from 12th June till 25th July 1915 returning with the B.E.F. to France on 26th July 1915 to 22nd October 1915. He returned Home on the 25th October 1915 and was discharged on 26th October 1915.

At aged 31 on the 3rd November 1915, Martin signed an oath before an Attesting officer in Athlone, on the 4th November 1915, in Galway, Martin Delaney enlisted for Short Service for the duration of the War to the 4th Battalion Connaught Rangers. He gave his trade as a Labourer, and his address as the Rock Gates, Moate. He served with the 4th Battalion as a Private from 6th November 1915 till transferring to the 6th Battalion on the 10th March 1916. He was transferred to the Labour Corps on 22nd October 1917, Reg No 385254. On the 28th March 1919 Martin was transferred to Class "Z" in the Army Reserve.

Now aged 34, Martin again enlisted for Short Service until 30th April 1920. He attested to the 40th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, as Reg No 99554 for Garrison Duties, in Athlone, on the 31st July 1919. He was 5ft 8" tall, weighed 120lbs, and had sallow skin, grey eyes and brown hair. His religion was Roman Catholic.

He was Home from 31st July 1919 to 18th September 1919, and in France from 19th September 1919 to 21st July 1920, and Home from 22nd July 1920 to his discharged on the 4th August 1920, due to a medical problem.

He was entitled to the 1914 Star, British war Medal, and Victory Medal.

Martin Delaney died 27th February 1947, aged about 63.