James Myles Explained

James Myles
Office:Teachta Dála
Term Start:July 1937
Term End:June 1943
Constituency:Donegal East
Term Start2:August 1923
Term End2:July 1937
Constituency2:Donegal
Birth Date:1877
Birth Place:County Donegal, Ireland
Death Place:County Donegal, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Party:Independent
Battles:World War I
Rank:Major

James Sproule Myles (1877 – 13 February 1956) was an Irish soldier, politician and rugby union player.

Rugby player

Myles played rugby for City of Derry and Ireland. In October 1899, together with Arnold Harvey, he was a member of the Ireland team that went on a tour of Canada.[1] This was their first ever overseas tour. While playing, he broke his leg and he had to remain in Canada until December while the rest of the touring party returned home in November.[2]

Soldier

During World War I, Myles served in the British Army with both the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Engineers. He won the Military Cross for bravery and reached the rank of Major.[3]

Personal life

He was among a group of 40 Unionists kidnapped in February 1922.[4] "Though apparently not an Orangeman, Myles was a Prince Mason in a chapter well stocked with Orange luminaries."[5]

Politician

Myles served as an Independent Teachta Dála (TD) in Dáil Éireann for twenty years.[6] He was elected on his first attempt at the 1923 general election and was subsequently re-elected six times, winning the greatest number of first preferences in each of the seven elections. He initially represented Donegal, and sat for Donegal East when the 8-seat constituency was divided in 1937.

He lost his seat at the 1943 general election, and was defeated again at the 1944 general election.[7]

He died in 1956 and is buried at St. Anne's Church in Ballyshannon, County Donegal.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Canada 1899. Irish Rugby 1874–1999. 9 May 2012. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214420/http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_73.htm. dead.
  2. The Ireland Rugby Miscellany (2007). Ciaran Cronin.
  3. Web site: Medal card of Myles, James Sproule. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 9 May 2012.
  4. Fitzpatrick . David . 2002 . The Orange Order and the Border . Irish Historical Studies . 33 . 129 . 57, 64 . 10.1017/S0021121400015509 . 30006955 . 163567656 . 20 October 2020.
  5. Fitzpatrick . David . 2002 . The Orange Order and the Border . Irish Historical Studies . 33 . 129 . 64 . 10.1017/S0021121400015509 . 30006955 . 163567656 . 20 October 2020., citing 'Irish Freemasons' calendar and directory', for the year A.D. 1914, pp 177-8
  6. Web site: James Sproule Myles. Oireachtas Members Database. 9 May 2012.
  7. Web site: James Myles. ElectionsIreland.org. 9 May 2012.
  8. Web site: Gravestone Inscriptions, St. Anne's Church of Ireland, Ballyshannon, No. 182. www.ulsterancestry.com. 9 May 2012.