Ballyshannon mourns Siege of Jadotville army veteran James Gormley

The South Donegal community mourned the loss of former Irish soldier and Siege of Jadotville veteran, James Gormley.

James, of Erne Dale Heights, Ballyshannon, but formerly of Carrigans Lower, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, passed peacefully at the North West Hospice, Sligo, surrounded by his family.

His Funeral Mass took place on Saturday, October 26, at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon.

A longtime Irish soldier, James was stationed in South Donegal’s Finner Camp for the majority of his career. Most notably, he was involved in the Siege of Jadotville. He was stationed in Congo from 1960 to 1962, and would later serve in Cyprus in 1964 and 1965.

On September 13, 1961, 155 Irish soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion, Company A, were sent to protect the locals in Jadotville (modern Likasi), a small mining town, in what is now the DR Congo.

The Siege of Jadotville would eventually be immortalised in film, in which lightly armed Irish soldiers resisted assaults for six days with no relief force, whilst also suffering no deaths.

Eventually forced to surrender after ammunition and supplies were exhausted, the Irish soldiers were held as prisoners of war for almost a month.

It was the last engagement of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) peacekeeping mission to involve Irish troops in hostile action.

At James’ Funeral Mass, Fr Sunil Joseph said: “James was a great family man, married to his wife Mary for 52 years. He was a proud Ballymote man, growing up with his brothers and sisters.

“James and Mary brought up four lovely children together: Ann-Marie, Eileen, Caroline and Jimmy. He also has six beautiful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who he loved dearly.

“Everyone that knew James knew him very well. To know him was to love him. And for those who didn’t, here’s a bit about him.

“He was champion of his time in handball, playing for Co. Sligo and the army. Later in life, his son Jimmy started it too, carrying on his legacy. James loved going down the Mall to watch Jimmy and the boys play and having the craic.

“James was a soldier in Finner Camp for 35 years. Near the beginning of his career, he went through a challenging time, along with many of his comrades, when they were captured in Jadotville back in the early 1960s.

“From this, he coined a nickname for himself as Jadotville Him, which was well deserved. He retired from the army 32 years ago, but until his last day, while going upstairs, he’d still say cle, deas, cle, deas.

“A great character, James had a brilliant sense of humour. He would chat to anyone. He had a different name for everyone he met, whether it be Kathleen, Maggie or Paddy. Some of you may know his sayings, such as ‘Oui Oui,’ ‘Mana-Muck,’ ‘Great Drying,’ or ‘Number Seven.’

“James also had his favourite TV shows he’d watch, and loved watching snooker. Jimmy White was his favourite player. He had a great love for music, sports, Jim Reeves, Big Tom, and of course, Sligo Rovers and Liverpool.

“He took great pride in his garden, and he loved his flowers. At Christmas time, he loved to decorate the house with Christmas lights. He absolutely loved flashing lights - never static - they had to be flashing.

“There are many stories about him, but we would be here a long time. James will be sadly missed by all.”

The Chairman of Post 10 of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, based in Finner, Joe O’Brien, stated: “I served with him in the 28th Battalion. He was a Sergeant in Finner. He was a gentleman by all means. A good friend and a good colleague.

“My condolences to the Gormley family and to the wider community and comrades.”

James will be forever loved and missed by his loving wife Mary, his daughters Ann-Marie (Thomas), Eileen, Caroline (Matthias) and his son Jimmy. His grandchildren Natasha, Amy, Shannon, Kurt, Nadine and Louisa. His great-grandchildren Emily and Ríadh, his brothers, sisters, extended family and friends.