Terry's Trip to Tunisia
 

From Left to right Mr & Mrs Brian Eager, Terry Mc Carthy
FradJ JPlassi(Farm Manager) and myself, Frank O'Neill

Hi Ivor
This is not a group of Irish Lawyers on a jolly to Tunisia.
Terry Mc Carthy and I intend to meet up and see The Bou and various
war cemetries where Irish Guards rest. Medjez El Bab cemetery is of
particular interest for Terry as his Father is  buried there.
I will keep you abreast of things and no doubt have
some more photo's for your site.
Best Wishes
Frank O'Neill
 (This was the Email I received last December from Frank O'Neill announcing his intention to visit Tunisia.)

AND NOW
As promised,  here are some of those photos taken during the recent trip
and some of Frank's thoughts about the day. . . . .


 ST PARICK'S DAY 2007 MEDJEZ EL BAB WAR CEMETERY

We arrived in Mohammed's Taxi Cab
Here at the War Cemetery at Medjez El Bab
Bird song is the only sound
We're just about to stand on hallowed ground

Rows & rows of graves overshadowed by a large white cross
But what was their families emotional cost?
Standing here we can see the physical loss
 

Their epitaph on each gravestone tell's it's own story
These men never came for the glory
We seek those with the Pointed Star and Shamrock
Our beloved Irish Guardsmen of good fighting stock

It's St Patrick's Day, the regimental wreath we lay
Remembering all those who gave their yesterday for our today
Are we reflecting in a mystic moment in time?
The sadness of this location is all here died in their prime.



Mc Carthy steps up completes a 64 year pilgrimage to a Father never seen
Carry with reverence and laying on his Father's grave the Shamrock so green
A thought as the breeze hits my face, are they at peace in their final
resting place?

The time has come for us to go, off searching for Reece Ridge and the Bou.
Which is the next part of our journey's show. So off we go.

Frank O'Neill & Terry Mc Carthy coming out of the Roman Catacomb(over 2000 years old) on Farm.
Not far from the original burial site for WW2 War Cemetery, later moved to it's current location

.

Frank will be writing up the whole story for inclusion in
this year's edition of  The Regimental Journal 

Frank O'Neill
London Branch Irish Guards Association

If you are not already a Member of the Association please contact IGHQ,
Wellington Barracks, and join now, to ensure that you get a copy of this years Journal.