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| Ballyshannon winner of Victoria Cross Robert Johnston of "Laputa"
Forthcoming Local History Talk in the Rock Hall on Friday 15th Novenber at 8 p.m. by Anthony Begley
“Remembering the 75th Anniversary of Plane Crashes in Ballyshannon, Cashelard
and Bundoran, also remembering the 120th Anniversary of Ballyshannon Brass and
Reed Band”. All welcome to this free illustrated talk organised by County
Donegal Historical Society in memory of
Louis and Kathleen Emerson.
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As the World Rugby finals reach a
climax in Japan it is a fitting time to remember that two Ballyshannon men represented
Ireland in rugby internationals in the late 19th century. Their rugby exploits
have been largely forgotten although both had distuinguished military careers
with one winning a Victoria Cross in the Boer War and the other winning a
Military Cross in World War One.
Robert Johnston Irish Rugby International
1893-1896
Robert Johnston was born at
“Laputa” Ballyshannon, County Donegal, on the
13th August 1872, the son of Robert Johnston Q.C. “Laputa” was located
over a mile from Ballyshannon on the Knather road, along the back road to
Belleek. There was a gatehouse on the roadside and two avenues, one to the front and the other to the rear
of the building. The house was of an unusual construction, as it was originally
a two storey house but a one storey front was added to it which overlooked the
Erne. Robert Johnston was born in this
house and was later educated at King
William’s College, Isle of Man. He was an accomplished rugby player with Wanderer’s Rugby Club in Dublin and
played international rugby for Ireland winning two caps against England and
Wales in 1893. He was a player on the
Britsh Isles team, later called the Lions, on a tour of South Africa in 1896 when he struck up a
friendship with Tom Crean. Johnston played in three of the four tests against
South Africa. Two of his brothers, Ralph and W.E. Johnston also played
international rugby. Ralph also played cricket for Ireland.
Robert Johnston and Tom Crean joined
the Imperial Light Infantry during the Boer War which started in 1899.
He won his Victoria Cross, at the age of 27, for his actions in a cavalry
charge at Elandslaagte on the 21st October 1899. Surviving the war in South
Africa, he was commandant of a concentration camp there at Middleburg in 1902,
and district commissioner in the Eastern Transvaal from 1903 to 1911 During
this period in South Africa he played
rugby in the Transvaal. On his return to
Ireland he joined the prison service. During World War 1 he commanded a
prisoner of war camp in County Meath. He was later Governor of Maryborough
Prison and later appointed a Resident Magistrate. He died in County Kilkenny on
the 25th
March 1950 where he is buried.
His birthplace at “Laputa” in
Ballyshannon was also the home of a number of celebrated individuals and
events. The most famous duel fought in Ballyshannon took place in a field
beside “Laputa” on 2nd March 1802. In the late 19th century well-known medical
doctor Simon Sheil, who left £6,000 for the building of the Sheil Hospital,
resided at “Laputa.” Captain Ramage and his family were the last to reside in
“Laputa”; he was a well-known solicitor who carried on his practise opposite
the Imperial Hotel in the town. “Laputa” was demolished during the Erne
Hydro-Electric Scheme which created Assaroe Lake about seventy years ago.
Major Myles played for Ireland in a Rugby Tour to Canada in 1899
James Sproule Myles son of John Myles was a most
successful Ballyshannon businessman, politician and community leader who
devoted a lifetime service to the welfare of his town and county. He was
popular with all classes and creeds and was recognised as a man of immense
talent and leadership qualities. In his youth he was educated at Londonderry
Academical Institution which later amalgamated with Foyle College in April
1889. He was a brilliant student who excelled at rugby and swimming. His
sporting prowess in swimming competitions was recognized as he was a school
champion and in 1895 he won the North-West Open Swimming championship. Myles
played rugby for the Ulster schools in 1895 and was also a playing member of City
of Derry Rugby Club from 1894-1899. His skills as a rugby player were
recognized when he was selected as a member of the Irish Rugby touring team to
Canada. This was the first overseas tour by an Ireland rugby team and the team
were in Canada in October-November 1899. The team won ten out of their eleven
matches against Canadian sides and scored 150 points conceding only 50.
Unfortunately for James Sproule Myles he broke his leg on this overseas tour
and remained in Canada until December 1899. The remaining members of the Irish
team had returned to Ireland in November.
With his brother Robert he later expanded the family
business in Ballyshannon, into one of the major enterprises in the North-West
with timber yards and a hardware emporium second to none. His family had ships
importing timber, slate, coal and other hardware goods to Ballyshannon and he
was an expert harbour pilot as he guided the ship safely to port. The Myles
family are especially remembered in Ballyshannon for introducing electric light
to the town in 1908 and shortly afterwards extended the service to Bundoran. Myles was prominently identified with the
Ulster Volunteer Movement which favoured maintaining the link with Britain and
on the outbreak of World War 1 he served with the Eleventh Battalion of the
Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers (Donegal and Fermanagh). At the Battle of the
Somme Major Myles was severely wounded twice and was awarded the Military Cross
for “conspicuous gallantry in action”.
His entry into public life was as a member of
Ballyshannon Town Commissioners and he
was elected onto Donegal County Council where he served for 30 years and he
also served on the Board of Health. Always keen to make a contribution to his
community he provided an unofficial fire- fighting service in the town and he
took a prominent role in the Red Cross during the Emergency (1939-1945). One of the first drivers of a motor car in
Donegal, when the first steam roller was introduced into Ballyshannon by the
County Council he gave driving instruction. He was elected as an Independent to
the Dáil in 1922 and in the years when Donegal was a single constituency he
headed the poll, always being elected on the first count. He represented East
Donegal from 1937-1943 when the county was divided into two constituencies and
was well respected as a national politician. Major Myles died on the 13th
of February 1956 aged 78 at his residence called “Inis Saimer” overlooking the
island of the same name. Major Myles was buried at St. Anne’s on Mullaghnashee.
The Myles family business continued under his nephew John Myles until it was
sold in 1971. Both Robert Johnston and Sproule Myles were accomplished rugby
players in their early years and it is appropriate to remember their
Ballyshannon roots and their achievements as the Rugby World Cup continues in
Japan.
Book available from A Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town and Local Hands Ballyshannon.
Hardback and softback book also available from the author Anthony Begley- contact anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com
