Bernard McAlister

Bernard was born 13 April 1894 in Granard.

Bernard McAlister was probably the only Longford-born soldier to be wounded during the Easter Rising, 1916: he was injured in the attack on Dublin Castle. 

Prior to WW1, it would seem that Bernard was a constable, likely with the Dublin Municipal Police. He enlisted with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 25 February 1916, and only two months later had to participate in the Easter Rising 1916, with the Crown forces. Between July and November 1916, he transferred to the 11th RDF, a reserve battalion comprising of recruits from the commercial and professional sector*. However, he was tried for desertion on the 10 November 1916 and convicted to 84 days remand, although this was remitted by half. Nevertheless, after the Great War, Bernard returned to work as a constable in the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) attached to Lad Lane Station in the 1920s, and continued on with the an Garda Síochána and was serving as such into the 1930s. 

In November 1922 Bernard married Madge Healy in Dublin. He was married for the second time in June 1932 to Mary Phelan. 

Bernard's brother, James McAlister, who served as an RIC constable prior to the War, served with the Irish Guards during WW1. Another brother of theirs was also an RIC constable. 

link to Civil Record of birth; Link to Civil Record of marriage, 1922; link to Civil Record of marriage, 1932; mention of McAlister at Easter Week; image of McAlister in 1927 (back row, 2nd left); Information on the 11th Battation RDF;