An Irish Soldier recalls World War One, 1965

Video Description

Johnny Burke from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway talks about his experiences during the First World War, including a heavy defeat to the Turks in the Mesopotamian campaign. During a break in the fighting to bury the dead, Johnny recalls meeting with Turkish soldiers. Johnny fought first in France after the retreat at Mons. From France, Johnny went to Mesopotamia where the British army suffered a heavy defeat. Johnny praises the Turks for allowing time for the dead to be buried. During the amnesty for the dead to be buried, Johnny met some of those he had been fighting. His memory of the Turkish soldiers is of the poor condition they were in. Johnny also recalls marching through the desert to Baghdad and to Falluja.