ORAC
27th Nov 2008, 13:58
There's an old saying that the Irish will die fighting, even if they don't know what they're fighting for. There were a large number of Irish who fought and died in WWI and a large number WWII (http://reform.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=30) when the Republic was neutral (even 10 pilots in the Battle of Britain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-British_personnel_in_the_RAF_during_the_Battle_of_Britain#Ir ish_contribution)).
It seems that such traditions don't die. Erin go bragh.
BBC: Irish swell British military ranks (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7749793.stm)
The British military is experiencing a large rise in recruits from the Irish Republic, figures obtained by BBC Radio 4's PM programme have shown.
They reveal a four-fold increase in military personnel from the Irish Republic during the past three years.
Between 2005 and 2006, just 3% of recruits entering the military through its recruitment centres in Northern Ireland came from the Republic.
The figure so far this year is 14%, and officers believe it will rise further........
THE RISE IN IRISH RECRUITS
2005-06: 3%
2006-07: 4.5%
2007-08: 10%
2008-present: 14%
It seems that such traditions don't die. Erin go bragh.
BBC: Irish swell British military ranks (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7749793.stm)
The British military is experiencing a large rise in recruits from the Irish Republic, figures obtained by BBC Radio 4's PM programme have shown.
They reveal a four-fold increase in military personnel from the Irish Republic during the past three years.
Between 2005 and 2006, just 3% of recruits entering the military through its recruitment centres in Northern Ireland came from the Republic.
The figure so far this year is 14%, and officers believe it will rise further........
THE RISE IN IRISH RECRUITS
2005-06: 3%
2006-07: 4.5%
2007-08: 10%
2008-present: 14%