Great grandson of a hero from the siege of Jadotville among navy's new officer graduates

(Left to right) Rita McDonough, Jack McDonough-Elwood and Barbra McDonough display a photo and medal of Jack’s grandfather who played a role in the Siege of Jadotville at today's commissioning ceremony of new officers at the naval base in Haulbowline. Picture: Noel Sweeney

A great grandson of one of ‘The Heroes of the Siege of Jadotville’ proudly held an old photograph and a medal his great grandfather was eventually awarded a year after his death, as the young man became one of nine newly commissioned officers in the navy.

Jack McDonough-Elwood, aged 24, said he believed his great grandfather, John Joe McDonagh, would be “smiling down from heaven” and be “very proud” of the new officer.

(Left to right) Emily Elwood, Graham Elwood, Naval graduate Ensign Jack McDonough-Elwood, Barbra McDonough and Rita McDonough at the commissioning ceremony of new officers at Haulbowline. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Jack was accompanied to the commissioning ceremony at the navy’s headquarters in Haulbowline Island, Co Cork, by his proud mother, Barbara, and grandmother, Rita.

John Joe was a corporal in his 30s when he was involved in the famous battle in the Congo in 1961. Around 155 Irish soldiers on a UN mission held out for days against a vastly superior enemy — estimated to be anything between 3,500 and 5,000 strong — before running out of ammunition and being ultimately forced to surrender.

Naval graduate Ensign Jack McDonough-Elwood is hugged by his father Graham Elwood at the commissioning ceremony of new officers at Haulbowline. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The US military regards this as one of the greatest defensive tactics of all time and it’s part of the curriculum for officers studying at its West Point military academy.

Jack was very close to his great grandfather as a young boy.

However, he spoke very little about the battle and was nicknamed ‘The Quiet Man’ because of that. He died aged 90 in 2015.

Newly commissioned naval officers raise their swords during the commissioning ceremony at the naval base on Haulbowline Island on Thursday. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The following year — which coincidentally happened to be the same year the film of the battle starring Jamie Dornan was released — the government gave commemorative medals to those who were still alive and posthumously to the families of those who had since died.

Rita pointed out that her father had been one of 11 soldiers recommended for bravery medals by Commandant Pat Quinlan, who had led the troops. But the government refused to give them at the time.

The best cadet award went to German-born Aiden Dean Weber-Hobbs, who moved to Cork in 2000, ending up graduating with a BA in Greek and Roman Civilisations and History, before completing a Higher Diploma in Geography.

Micheál Desmond-Nugent (centre) salutes the Secretary General of the Department of Defence Jacqui McCrumm and Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Rossa Mulcahy during the naval graduation ceremony at Haulbowline Island. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service Commodore Darragh Kirwan said the nine members of what is the 64th cadet class were being commissioned in a historic year as it’s the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Irish navy.

“While today marks the final day of your formal cadetship training, your journey does not stop here. Leadership requires lifelong learning and to practice it requires skill, reflection and imagination. The foundations you have set will be built upon at sea in the years ahead,” the senior officer said.

The commissioning ceremony was also attended by Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.

Naval graduates throw their hats in the air at the naval graduation ceremony. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The commissioning of the nine officers is largest number in 10 years and a significant improvement on last year which saw just two graduating.

Minister for foreign affairs and defence Helen McEntee didn’t attend the commissioning due to another commitment and unusually the government didn’t send any other politician to present the new officers with their official commissioning papers.

Instead that was done by Department of Defence secretary general Jacqui McCrumm.