RIP: Longford native & father of former British MP Maria Caulfield laid to rest in London

The funeral of John Caulfield took place in the Holy Ghost Catholic Church Nightingale Square, Balham, London SW12 on Wednesday, June 4.

John was from Ballinrooey, Colmcille, North Longford. He died at his residence in Balham on April 26, and he had reached his 90th year. His coffin was draped with the flag of the Colmcille GAA Club.

The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Richard PP. The first reading was by his son in law Steve Bell. The bidding prayers were read by his granddaughters Ruby and Molly Caulfield. The eulogy was by Father Richard.

John emigrated to London in the 1950s. He worked in the building industry. He came from a large prominent Colmcille family.

Shortly after arriving in London he married his wife Margaret from County Cork. She was a nurse. They lived in Balham and were married in the Holy Ghost Church, their two children received the sacraments in the church and attended the school next door. His late wife's funeral was at the same church.

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His burial took place in Morden cemetery on Wednesday, June 4. He is buried beside his late wife. A number of people from Colmcille and Longford attended the funeral.

I met John at a Sinn Féin event in South London in 1967. He was a member of Sinn Féin. When the Irish Civil Rights Association was formed in 1973 he joined.

After the Good Friday Agreement when the Irish Civil Rights Association went to life membership John joined and because of the anti-Irish hate he requested to be registered as John Colmcille. He was in good company as famous actor Mel Gibson was Mel Colmcille. His mother was from Colmcille.

John came from a republican family who played an important role in the fight for Irish freedom. They were in the North Longford Flying Column.

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Seán Ó Súilleabháin in his recently published book Longford's Republican Story gives full details about the role of the Caulfield family and all other Longford families. Those Longford people who have not read the book should get a copy.

John was very involved in the GAA in Colmcille and at county level and here in London. Again, Sean is compiling a tribute article for a future edition of the Longford Leader to give details of John's GAA role.

John is survived by his daughter Maria Caulfield. (Maria was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament for Lewes. She was appointed a Junior Minister of Health in two Conservative governments. She lost her seat in the last election). Also by his son Sean and granddaughters Ruby and Molly Caulfield and by many nephews and nieces in Ireland.

His nephew Jim Reilly, Carrickduff, Longford attended the funeral. He placed a wreath of flowers in Colmcille and Longford colours. His niece Mairead King travelled over from Castlepollard. A wake took place in the Morden Arms following the funeral.

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Deepest sympathy is extended to his daughter and son, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and family.