On the Move – Mary Lucy Byrne – Part 9

9a ~ Waiting at Plymouth

 

The short voyage was relatively uneventful for the young couple, but this was a big journey as it marked an important step on their independent path. Devonport was a busy dock on the Plymouth Harbour. Many regiments shipped out from this bustling hive of activity, but that was not part of the plan for Jimmy’s battalion. After arriving in Plymouth, the company frequently changed quarters between the Citadel, Millbay, and Raglan barracks.

Mary found it difficult to settle into any routine. For the next six months, she and Jimmy were like buoys on the water being battered about as they moved from one barracks to another. India seemed more distant than ever.

In the third week of September 1879, Jimmy came home with news. “Our unit is heading to Jersey for a brief deployment. It doesn’t look like it will be too long. When we return, we will be loading up for Ireland.” 

“Is it true? Are we finally on our way?” Mary spent the past summer contemplating their pending family expansion.

 H.M.S. Assistance docked in Devonport a few days before setting out for Jersey. The couple admired the sleek ship and shared their excitement for their unfolding future. With God’s good grace the couple would welcome their first child before the end of winter, and Ireland would be the birthplace.

Jimmy accompanied the unit to Jersey, while Mary remained in Plymouth. H.M.S. Assistance returned to Devonport on October 18th, where the staff and remaining battalion boarded for the journey to Kingstown, in Ireland.

At last, after seven months of uncertainty, they were en route to Ireland. Mary, thrilled they would dock on the south side of Dublin Bay, pressed Jimmy to request a short home leave. With the family parishes in Dublin City and Jimmy’s siblings still living there, they might honour their promises.

 

9b ~ Voyage to Ireland

 

Not long after their departure, Mary was still standing by the rail. She drew her cloak around her tightly and shivered from the chill rising up from the icy grey water. The ship followed the shoreline out of Plymouth, around the coast of Cornwall and then headed into the Irish Sea. Occasionally the sun would break through the cloud cover and illuminate a patch of water, or if they were close to the shore, flash its glory on the verdant patches of green capping the steep cliffs. Thankfully, it would not be a long voyage. Mary enjoyed the ocean swell and the stiff breeze that symbolized fresh beginnings. She held the rail for balance and felt her body rise and fall in tandem with the ship. Moist air droplets collected on her skin, at times trickling to a hint of salty brine on her lip. 

She sensed Jimmy’s apprehension, but he relented and did request a short leave in Dublin. He had written his brother, Tommy, to announce the visit. The couple would have three days to visit with Jimmy’s siblings and pay their respects, before he would have to report for duty. Mary had no recollection of her brief time in Dublin, then she was a mere toddler. Still, she was keen to discover the city of her father’s youth.

Courtesy of The Army Children Archive – From the series, Tommy Atkins Married, created in the mid 1880’s depicting typical military life. This caption- Life On Board a Troopship: “Commence Firing” [3]

The crowded sleeping quarters filled all the space. Loud, jovial chatter layered on the mechanical rumble of the ship on the water. There were scarcely any other women making the journey, just a few wives and some children, permitted as ‘on-the-strength’ companions travelling with their husbands. Mary was quite glad their ship would dock within two days. She witnessed her husband interacting with the other men in his regiment and noticed once again the kinship he shared with them. His ebullience in front of them contrasted with his often-gentle nature. She mostly experienced the favour of his deep attention when they were alone together. They exchanged laughs, touched often to bind to each other and felt comfortable as they huddled close to share secrets. Aboard ship, Jimmy turned his attention to his mates and barely acknowledged Mary was there. She assured herself Jimmy needed to share his excitement with his regiment. Mary was now about halfway along with their first child. The relief to be finally on their way left her emotionally drained. With both her physical and mental states equally fatigued, she decided it was best for her to find her things and settle in to rest.

Mary thought of the days ahead. She felt excited and anxious about meeting Jimmy’s family. He did not like to talk about those times after his parents had died. Their family had suffered with the loss of income, and his sisters, Mary and Ellen, had gone to live with his elder brother, Tommy. The last Jimmy had heard they still lived around Smithfield Market, just behind St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. She hoped they had received his letter advising them of his visit. The din of the men talking, sparked with the occasional burst of laughter, lulled Mary’s weary body into a fitful sleep. Rocked by the movement of the ship as it pushed through the sea, Mary was buffeted between her past and her future.

The smell of meat frying, mingled with the pungent odour of coffee woke Mary. Sunlight danced across her face as the cracks in the decking above her head allowed the filaments of light to jostle with the ship’s movement. It took some time to remember she was on a voyage. Her mouth was dry from the rough night, and she propped her head up to look around her. Deep in her belly she felt the grumbling pangs of hunger in response to the aroma of food wafting towards her. Fortunately, she was well past the queasiness she had felt earlier in her pregnancy. Now she just seemed ravenous – all the time. Slowly Mary stretched herself and rubbed her eyes and face to make her more alert. She gathered her shawl close to her body as she stood. Jimmy was not there. She wondered if he had rested. Following her nose, Mary stepped out to look for her husband.

She found him chatting with a group from his regiment, mug in hand. He looked refreshed, but she had no idea if he had slept much at all.

“Ah, Mary! How did you sleep, my love?”

Mary felt uncomfortable hearing his words of tenderness spoken in such a public manner. “Yes, I slept fine thank you.”

“Well, let’s get something to put some meat on those bones, shall we? You’re eating for two people, you know.” Jimmy took her arm, escorted her over to the table, and went off to get her a bowl of steaming porridge with a side of fried pork. As he set the dish in front of her, he remarked, “After you have your food, we can go on deck to see our beautiful Ireland. No finer place in the world, there is. And the day is fair. The sun shines today. Such a shame we have no chance to live a prosperous life in that land. Eat up, Mary. The day’s a-wasting!” Jimmy flashed his smile, and Mary felt at ease again.

 


¹A History of the Lancashire Fusiliers (Formerly XXth Regiment) Vol. II 1822-1903; Major B. Smyth M.V.O.
²On-the-Strength : A military practice of confirming medical fitness of the companions so they would not become a burden to the military system.

³Commence Firing was the command given in the early evening to permit the soldiers to light up their tobacco for the evening smoke.

 

For images of Kingstown Harbour, visit the National Library of Ireland, Clarke Collection at Clarke Photographs National Library of Ireland

Begin Mary’s Story Here – The Prologue