Seamus McElwaine was an IRA volunteer who eluded the British Army elite forces and British security forces for years after the great escape from Long Kesh prison.
He was one of the few out of the 30 who escaped to resume active service.
As a young man in his early twenties he gave up his entire life and risked death on a daily basis sleeping in ditches, barns and occasionally friendly safe houses.
He lived like this for years before he encountered a unit of SAS and after a short gun battle fell dead.
For me he's one of the most fascinating soldiers from the recent war because of his commitment, strength of will and ability to survive in a hostile countryside with no support from the rest of the IRA. He had to be a lone soldier for security reasons. No one was allowed to know he was alive and still active as that would have put him at risk of capture.
I practice bushcraft and gain experience of hiking because I know someday Ireland may call on her children again. Seamus has always been an example to me for what it is I may have to endure.
I hope that time never comes when we have to turn our lives over to Ireland in the name of Liberty but it might. If that day comes it won't be skill or force of discipline that drives us to victory but the memory of the women and men who gave it all.
Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.
For Liberty or Death.
Tiocfaidh ár lá.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9amus_McElwaine 