Ernie O'Malley was a medical student in Dublin when the Easter Rising of 1916 broke out. Indifferent at first, his feelings changed as the struggle progressed and he rose to the rank of OC of the Second Southern Division during the War of Independence. He died in 1957 and was given a state funeral with full military honours. He is also the author of On Another Man's Wound and Raids and Rallies.