Tag Archives: John Graham

Who was in charge of the Belfast I.R.A.?

Who was in charge of the Belfast I.R.A. from the 1920s to the 1960s? Formally, the I.R.A. designated Belfast as either a Battalion or Brigade from 1922 through to the late 1960s with it’s commander usually listed as O/C Belfast. As a clandestine organisation, the identity of it’s leadership was not usually transparent. Occasional arrestsContinue reading “Who was in charge of the Belfast I.R.A.?”

IRA memo from Chief of Staff, 13th June 1942

    This is an rare example of a surviving internal IRA memo from 1942. Sent from the department of the Chief of Staff, GHQ to the Director of Publicity, Northern Command on 13th June 1942. At the time, the Chief of Staff of the IRA was Hugh McAteer, while the Director of Publicity inContinue reading “IRA memo from Chief of Staff, 13th June 1942”

List of commandants of Belfast IRA, 1924-1969 (updated)

The following is an updated version of the previously posted list of officers commanding the IRA’s Belfast battalion (the name normally given to its structures in the city for most of this time) from 1924 to 1969. The list is based on a variety of sources. Despite the revisions and corrections there are still gapsContinue reading “List of commandants of Belfast IRA, 1924-1969 (updated)”

The IRA’s ‘Northern Campaign’

Did the IRA mount a ‘northern campaign’ in 1942-43? According to some historians the IRA began a campaign against the northern government in 1942, which most call the ‘Northern Campaign’. Oddly, though, there is no evidence to suggest that the IRA ever formally began such a campaign. In early 1942, under Sean McCool then EoinContinue reading “The IRA’s ‘Northern Campaign’”

IRA Special Manifesto, August 29th 1942 and the ‘northern campaign’

In the days leading up to the execution of Tom Williams in 1942, the IRA released a ‘Special Manifesto‘ as a printed circular on Sunday 30th August, largely written by John Graham and Hugh McAteer. This was the day following a reprieve for five of Williams’ co-accused. This ‘Special Manifesto‘ is often presented as a proclamationContinue reading “IRA Special Manifesto, August 29th 1942 and the ‘northern campaign’”

The Treason Felony men

The following is a draft list of those who were charged and found guilty by the northern government, up to around 1954, under the archaic Treason Felony Act of 1848 (which still stands in the UK). The Act charges: If any person whatsoever shall, within the United Kingdom or without, compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend toContinue reading “The Treason Felony men”

John Graham – ‘the surprise packet’

Found this newspaper clipping the other day. This is J.S.S. Graham golfing for Belvoir Park in 1938. He was also in the I.R.A. and rose to become Commandant-Colonel on the Northern Command, and O/C Belfast. After he was imprisoned in the 1940s, he was to return to golf and made the Irish international team. HeContinue reading “John Graham – ‘the surprise packet’”

John Graham, professional golfer, divinity student, O/C Belfast IRA

Interesting account of John Graham’s golfing career by Mark Wehrly. Graham was Director of Intelligence on the IRA’s Northern Command and Belfast O/C for a time in 1942. Narrowly missing out on the chance to escape in January 1943, he then spent seven years in Crumlin Road. Graham’s golf career began in the 1930s when heContinue reading “John Graham, professional golfer, divinity student, O/C Belfast IRA”

List of O/Cs of Belfast IRA, 1924-69.

The following is a draft list of the officers commanding the IRA’s Belfast battalion (the name normally given to its structures in the city) from 1924 to 1969. The list is based on a variety of sources. There are gaps and may well be omissions since those listed are those named in accounts of differentContinue reading “List of O/Cs of Belfast IRA, 1924-69.”