Curragh Incident Arthur Paget (British Army officer)

with irish home rule due become law in 1914, cabinet beginning contemplate kind of military action against ulster volunteers wanted no part of it. french (cigs) , seely (secretary of state war) summoned paget war office talks. paget’s letter (19 october 1913) suggests wanted “partial mobilisation”.

the following spring, paget sent letter secretary of army council warning “evil-disposed persons” might attempt seize weapons. paget reported drawing plans protect arms depots ordered, warning large-scale troop movements exacerbate situation. paget summoned london meeting cabinet committee on ireland , other officers. on evening of 18 march paget wired maj-gen friend troop movements completed dawn on sunday 31 march. paget summoned meeting on 19 march @ seely declared government pressing ahead home rule , had no intention of allowing civil war break out, suggesting ulster volunteers crushed if attempted start one. paget said “lead army boyne” - french told him not “a bloody fool”.

paget travelled dublin night in state of high excitement, having been given no written orders (it unclear whether or not because there things politicians reluctant put in writing). next morning (friday 20 march), paget addressed senior officers @ headquarters in dublin. 3 different accounts (written paget, fergusson , gough in 1954 memoirs soldiering on) exist, clear paget exacerbated situation. paget claimed french’s assistance had obtained “concessions” seely, namely officers lived in ulster permitted “disappear” duration, other officers refused serve against ulster dismissed rather being permitted resign. gough’s account, said “active operations commence against ulster” , gough – had family connection ulster did not live there - expect no mercy “old friend @ war office”. french, paget , ewart had (on 19 march) agreed officers “direct family connections” ulster should left behind. in offering officers ultimatum, paget acting foolishly, majority have obeyed if ordered north. paget ended meeting ordering officers speak subordinates , report back. gough did not attend second meeting in afternoon, @ paget confirmed purpose of move overawe ulster rather fight, @ claimed orders had king’s personal sanction.

paget informed war office telegram (evening of 20 march) 57 officers preferred accept dismissal (it 61 including gough). on morning of saturday 21 march fergusson toured units, assuring them of own unionist sympathies urging them duty – action had effect. paget did same speech described 1 colonel “absolutely unconvincing , inconclusive”.

the elderly field-marshal roberts later learned interview seely (21 march) paget had been acting without authority in talking of “active operations” , in giving officers chance discuss hypothetical orders , attempt resign. news helped persuade hubert gough remain in army, albeit written guarantee (which government repudiated) army not used against ulster.

paget was, in end, able conduct precautionary moves planned on 18 , 19 march.