This week in 1922

“Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way.”

— Erskine Childers, convicted as Irish patriot, firing squad, Dublin
Executed November 24, 1922

Although he was born in Britain, a member of the Royal Navy, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Childers, a husband and father of two, was labeled a traitor.  A supporter of Irish home rule, he navigated the treacherous Ireland shores with his yacht the “Asgard” to bring firearms and ammunition to volunteers, an act that caused Irish immigrants from the U.S. to donate to the cause.  Childers became an Irish citizen worked as a newspaperman.  But when Ireland was given their home rule, he soon began supporting and creating propaganda for a total Republic Ireland, or as commonly known now as the IRA.  He was eventually captured by the ruling Free State soldiers, believed to be the inspiration behind IRA attacks and assassinations.  Shaking each of his executioners’ hands, Childers proclaimed that despite being branded a traitor by Britain, he proclaimed he still loved his native country.