Hicks-Orchard Family, Dublin 1916

"A number of years ago this photograph was found in a trunk in our attic, at the time I had no idea who the people in the picture were? Or where or when it was taken? Also why were these civilian people having their photograph taken with so many army officers? All I had was a name ‘St. Andrews’ and a surname of Orchard to start my research with. However a chance encounter with a document led me to a story that not only has a connection with Ballina in Co. Mayo but also with the 1916 Rising in Dublin. The document, that led me to discover who the people in the picture were and the event that the photograph commemorated was found in the National Archives. It was a claim submitted for restitution for damage caused during and after the 1916 Rising in Dublin. In this document, Reverend Reginald Adams Orchard is claiming £18 15s 6d for damage caused to his home ‘St. Andrews’ located on Claremont Road, Sandymount, Dublin. During the period of two weeks, between 3rd & 27th May 1916, the house was used as a headquarters by the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment with 20 -30 men being billeted there. Details of the claim included restitution for damage to the floor covering of the hall and stairs by the hob nailed boots of the officers, damage to the wallpaper in the hall where the men slept, an electric lamp which was broken, a window broken in the conservatory, a garden fork was taken but never returned and three door mats. Also additional costs were incurred for electric light, heating and a ‘charwoman’ who had to be employed to clean up after the solider. However it was noted by the powers that be that the claim was ‘greatly exaggerated’ and Reverend Orchard received only £3. In the claim submitted Rev. Orchard indicates that the family were imposed upon on by the soldiers however in the photograph they do seem quite content to pose with them on the front steps of the house in May 1916. The 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are easily identifiable due to the tiger emblem that can be seen on their hats. In the photograph Reverend Orchard is seen with his wife and her sister, the third woman’s identity is unknown. However at the window can be seen an older gentleman and his wife. These people are Reverend Orchard’s parents, William Patterson Orchard and his wife Mary Thirza. William was appointed the County Surveyor for North Mayo in 1887 and lived at No. 7 Francis Street in Ballina, Co. Mayo until 1911. For anyone familiar with Ballina, the house would have been across the road from the Court House in the town near the bus station. In the 1901 census, William and his wife Mary together with their son Reginald and daughter Mary are living in the 12 roomed house in Francis Street with their two servants. William is recorded as being born in England and that his profession is the County Surveyor for North Mayo, his son Reginald is an under graduate in Trinity College, Dublin. However tragedy was the strike the family when William’s 20 year old daughter, Mary, died in Ballina in 1905. By 1907, William’s son Reginald had become a clergyman, married in Dalkey Church and moved to St. Andrews on Claremont Rd. in Dublin. By 1911 William Patterson Orchard had retired from his position in Mayo due to ill health and both he and his wife moved to Dublin to live with their son. William Patterson Orchard was born on the 29th January 1850 in Islington London into a family with Irish Connections. He studied engineering in Queen’s College Belfast between 1886-1869 where he obtained his degree. After graduating, he was a pupil of Charles Nixon and was based in Westminster in London until 1873. Charles Nixon was the engineer-in-chief to the Cork and Bandon Railway Company. William was then an assistant to Charles W. Whitaker, County Surveyor for West Sussex in December 1886. After sitting the civil service exam, he was appointed County Surveyor for North Mayo in 1887 where he remained until 1911. It was recorded in 1895, that William had been responsible for the construction of two important bridges, one with a span of 115 feet and a town bridge 28 feet wide, of 3 spans, 37 feet each. William Orchard Patterson died in October 1920 aged 70, his wife Mary lived until 1934 dying aged 80. Their son Reginald died in 1941 at the relatively young age of 62. The house on Claremont Road no longer exists and has been replaced by blocks of flats. Whatever your political persuasions and feelings about the soldiers in the photograph, most of them probably died in the First World War which was raging at the time. In one instance Sidney Tyers, who was sent to Dublin with the battalion in 1916 died one year later in battle, he was aged only 22 and his body was never recovered. Sidney died in November 1917, which is one hundred years ago next month and yet if this photograph had never been discovered so many stories, such as his would have been left untold."