The Recruiting Movement in Galway — Ladies' Recruiting League Formed — President, Vice—presidents and Secretary Appointed

Galway Pilot and Vindicator, January 8, 1916

At 12 o'clock, noon, on Monday, as the Cinema Theatre, William Street, Galway, a largely—attended meeting, composed principally of women, the wives, sisters, or other relatives of men at the front, and a large number of others who sympathised with the Recruiting movement, took place. The meeting was held for the purpose of forming a Ladies' Recruiting league in Galway, and a President, Vice—Presidents and a Secretary were appointed.

Sir William Maxwell presided, and the meeting was addressed by Mr. Forsyth, Mrs. O'Sullivan, M.A., Mrs. Tighe, Mrs. Anderson, President's House, University college; Mrs. Young.

Sir William Maxwell in opening the proceedings, expressed the great pleasure he felt at seeing such a large assemblage of the women of Galway in attendance there for the purpose of forwarding the Recruiting movement. There was no doubt the influence of the ladies was paramount (laughter and cheers), and what the Government was most anxious to do was to get as many young men as possible to join the colours (applause). They desired to put an end to the war as quickly as they could, and, consequently, they wanted more men of military age. There was no doubt Galway had done very well, but it could do still better, and he believed through the influence of the ladies that most desirable end could be attained; and he was sure the ladies whom he had the pleasure of addressing would show by their labours and their energy in the cause that the wives and the mothers and sisters of the gallant and courageous men who were serving at the front would do their part to induce others to join the colours and give the support that was necessary to secure victory (loud cheers).

Mr. Forsyth next addressed the meeting: He congratulated the ladies on the large meeting and the enthusiasm they had shown in supporting the cause. Dealing with the question of the abstention of some young men from joining the colours, he said that in times like the present no man of military age should have any business outside the army of the service of his country in some way or other. They wanted recruits for the army, and the place for every young man physically fit was in the army. Now, notwithstanding that here are great numbers of young men who would make splendid soldiers and yet they have not joined. He believed there was no better work for any man or woman in the present crisis than to try to assist the Government to bring the war to a successful end (applause). Therefore, he and Sir William Maxwell wanted the women at that meeting to give them their unstained and whole hearted supported in the recruiting campaign (cheers). On Wednesday evening another meeting would be held. It would be addressed by Mr. Garvey of Ballina, Mr. Moorehead and Mr. Colohan. The time was short, but he (Mr. Forsyth) hoped the ladies would put in two days of energetic and effective work in canvassing the town for recruits and preparing for the meeting. If the young ladies of Galway insisted on the young men joining the army there is no doubt they would join (cheers). He trusted that for the next two days they would make every possible effort. He might tell them that Ballina had done splendidly in the matter of recruiting. He had been speaking in the work and he said that the ladies by exercising their influence and prosecuting a house to house canvass had succeeded in getting eighty men to join the army notwithstanding that 700 from Ballina were already with the colours (loud applause).

Mrs. O'Sullivan, M.A., who was greeted with applause, next addressed the meeting. In the course of an eloquent speech of considerable length, she referred to the important work that could be done by women to the recruiting cause, and pointed out that it was the duty of every woman to do her part in helping the interests of the country in the present great crisis (applause). She highly disapproved, however, of the methods adopted by some recruiting parties who in their speeches to young men assert that great numbers have been killed off and that they want to fill the gaps with others. She did not consider that a sensible or a judicious way of endeavouring to obtain recruits. In her opinion it would have an effect quite the reverse of what was expected. There ought to be higher and more patriotic motives advanced by public speakers in order to induce young men to join (loud cheers). She was sure the ladies would do their part in the work of recruiting for the purpose of strengthening the armies and bringing the war to a successful close. Mrs. O'Sullivan concluded by proposing a resolution that the meeting form itself into a Ladies' Recruiting League, with President, Vice—Presidents and Secretary (loud cheers).

Mrs. Tighe, who was received with applause, made a very good speech in seconding the motion. She endorsed everything that had been said by Mrs. O'Sullivan, and concluded with an appeal to the women to give the recruiting movement their warmest support (cheers).

The motion was put to the meeting and carried by acclamation.

Mrs. Anderson, in a very nice speech, proposed the appointment of Mrs. O'Sullivan, M.A., as President of the League. The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted.

Mrs. O'Sullivan, however, showed some reluctance to accepting the position, but finally she consented.

Mrs. Young, in a neat speech, moved the appointment of three Vice—Presidents Mrs. Chamier, Mrs. Tighe and Mrs. Anderson.

This motion was also carried unanimously, but the Chairman observed that Mrs. Young should be also ??? of the Vice—President and the suggestion was adopted.

Mr. Forsyth said it was most important to have a good Secretary, and ultimately Mrs. Young agreed to accept the post temporarily.

The Chairman congratulated the ladies of the great success of the meeting. He said it was a well—known fact that almost every Irishman you meet is a born orator, but until he attended that meeting he did not know that the same applied to every Irish woman (laughter and cheers). The speeches he had listened to there that day from the ladies were amongst the finest recruiting speeches he ever heard (applause).

Mr. Forsyth commented on the observations in the speech of Mrs. O'Sullivan with respect to the mistake made by some persons in asserting that the ranks were depleted and the gaps required to be filled up. The men were not by any means going out there to be killed. As Mrs. O'Sullivan had very properly said, which might have the effect of deterring persons from joining. On the whole, the casualties were comparatively small and amounted to only about one in twelve.

All the women who attended were then called on to sign their names as members of the Recruiting League. They did so and the proceedings terminated.