John Brennan who lived in Upper Grange Gowran emigrated to New York on the Lusitania passenger ship in 1912. He worked as a taxi driver in New York, but in 1917 when America joined the Great War, John was conscripted into the US Army and was sent to fight in France. One picture below shows Johns letter from King George the 5th which was also sent to all the other soldiers in the US Army .Thanking them for joining the Allies in the Great War.
He took part in the ST Mihiel and Muese Argonne Offensives and received recognition for these by the gold bars and stars on his WW1 Medal.
Thankfully John returned to the USA uninjured when the war ended. A few years after he got American citizenship, he decided to return to Ireland (1923). In 1925, he married Alicia Brennan from Upper Grange.
Today, there are 12 of John Brennan’s great grandchildren are attending Gowran N.S. including a teacher Kathryn Kennedy. He also has a great great grandchild in Junior Infants, Michael O’Keeffe.
He took part in the ST Mihiel and Muese Argonne Offensives and received recognition for these by the gold bars and stars on his WW1 Medal.
Thankfully John returned to the USA uninjured when the war ended. A few years after he got American citizenship, he decided to return to Ireland (1923). In 1925, he married Alicia Brennan from Upper Grange.
Today, there are 12 of John Brennan’s great grandchildren are attending Gowran N.S. including a teacher Kathryn Kennedy. He also has a great great grandchild in Junior Infants, Michael O’Keeffe.
