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  Just to go back to Rays post there about Frances Rehal. Yes I was gobsmacked and amazed to hear that we had a contender all the way from Galway and from Loughrea too..we would have had a lot to talk about. My family was from both Balinasloe ( Galway ) and from Loughrea ( Galway ) to some extent..so I was amazed.
  
  My Uncle Tom was from Loughrea and fought with the British Army in North Africa I believe, and certainly up through Italy. He must have been mad, or mad for adventure, being Irish he didnt need to, but he volunteered. He never talked much about it even though I used to ask him constantly as a boy.
  
  "Were you ever shot" sez I
  "Did you ever shoot any Germans" sez I with greater depth..you know ..that kind of thing.
  
  No he was never shot but had the heel of his boot shot off in Italy when a machine gun opened up on them and they all dived for cover. He told me it wasnt like the movies, you never fired out from a window for example. You wouldnt last a second at a window..something to do with the concentration of firepower coming back.
  
  Well there we are. Was never actually in Loughrea myself although have seen many pictures of it.
  
  Good luck to Frances MBE no matter what she does in future. She certainly gave me something to reflect on. Thanks for the link Ray.

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