The city of Limerick is in mourning following the tragic loss of Second Lieutenant Roderick Stacpoole, who was killed in action while serving with distinction in the Royal Field Artillery. Second Lieutenant Stacpoole, the youngest son of the Duke of Stacpoole, hailed from Mount Hazel, County Galway, and had a promising future ahead of him.

Born into a family with a rich history, Second Lieutenant Stacpoole was educated at Downside College and Woolwich before being gazetted in August 1914, shortly after his nineteenth birthday. He joined the Royal Field Artillery and was deployed to France with the Eighth Division, where he bravely served his country.

Tragically, Second Lieutenant Stacpoole’s sacrifice adds to the burden of loss already borne by his family. One of his brothers, serving in the Connaught Rangers, lost his life at the young age of twenty-two during the Battle of the Aisne. Despite the heavy toll the war has taken on the Stacpoole family, their commitment to serving their country remains steadfast, with his two eldest brothers currently deployed at the front lines in the Connaught Rangers and the Wales’s Leinster Regiment.

The Stacpoole family has deep roots in the history of Limerick, with records tracing their presence in the city as far back as the 12th century. Over the centuries, they rose to prominence as influential merchants, with one member even serving as Recorder of the city. Their legacy is intertwined with the fabric of Limerick’s history, from their role in the jury that investigated damages caused by wars in the 13th century to their involvement in negotiating the city’s surrender to Cromwell’s forces in 1651.

The loss of Second Lieutenant Roderick Stacpoole is keenly felt not only by his family but also by the wider community of Limerick. His bravery and dedication to duty serve as an inspiration to all who knew him, and his memory will be honoured with the utmost respect and gratitude.

As Limerick mourns the passing of one of its own, the city stands united in offering support to the Stacpoole family and in remembering the sacrifice made by Second Lieutenant Roderick Stacpoole and countless others who have laid down their lives in service to their country.

Dublin Daily Express – Wednesday 17 March 1915