Westville
On November 11, 2005, I left
my humble abode for a 19th century American village in southwestern
Georgia. I had not been stateside for more than 48 hours when I left and
I was still suffering from jet lag. In the trunk of my car were relics
from a bygone era; a 1915 dated SMLE, a 1911 dated C-96 Mauser, and
1920's era clothes. I am an Irish Volunteer.
I arrived at Westville around
3 pm that Friday of the 11th, it didn't take me long to find the people
I was looking for. Anne and Vicky were unloading their gear when I
strolled up, both looked very upset. The reason why became quite
apparent when the first words out of Anne's mouth were, "I'm glad you
didn't come earlier!" The park would not allow them to set up their gear
and conduct demos until the park employees had done theirs....this took
all day. Well, we settled into our usual routine of unpacking gear,
talking, drinking, and eating. The evening passed uneventfully with the
exception that I had left my motor car in the car park and the main gate
was locked! Thus, I had to wait until the morning to unload my display.
The next morning began
quietly, we ate breakfast, "which was awesome", with Vicky making fresh
made-from-scratch biscuits. After unloading my motor car, I didn't have
much time to set up my display before the public arrived. There were
quite a few living historians at the village that day, "along with a
number of authors who were conducting a book signing", we had quite a
number of people doing demos that Saturday. Vicky placed herself in the
kitchen, "portraying a civilian of the 1850's" cooking and selling her
various books that she has authored. She did this while Anne placed
herself nearby selling her knitted and sewn goods, while portraying a
member of the Cumann Na m'Ban, circa 1922.
I placed myself on the front
porch of the farmhouse that we had moved into, and set up my display
right at the steps! Thus making it impossible for visitors not to notice
me. I conducted a number of firing demonstrations for the public, most
with numerous misfires, due to defective ammunition. That in itself was
extremely authentic, due to the fact that the I.R.A. had less than
quality gear during the Anglo-Irish War. I further more regaled the
public with the history of the Anglo-Irish War of 1916-1924 and the
actions of the Irish Volunteers and British Forces of Occupation. A
number of visitors were very interested in the time period and one of
their numerous questions was "How did you learn how to speak in an Irish
accent?" My common reply was, "Well, I hate to tell you, but I'm really
Irish".
Around 4pm, with most of the
public leaving, I packed up my display and settled in for the evening,
which again passed without much incident, "other than the overturning of
a wheelbarrow filled with about 100 pounds of firewood!
The next day began the same as
the day before. Around 1pm I decided, due to the lack of visitors to
pack up my display and head back home. I was still dealing with jet lag,
and just wanted to get back home and sleep. Overall, the event was a
nice laid back affair, with a public and park staff that was both
interested and kind.
- AAR written by Vol. Ethan "Paddy"
Gallo
- 3rd (West) Cork Brigade, A.S.U.
- Irish Volunteers, Irish Republican
Army
-
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