Wilmot, Amelia, 1874–1955

Amelia Wilmot (1874–1955) was a revolutionary and spy during the Irish War of Independence. She was a member of Cumann na mBan in County Kerry. She was born Amelia Canty in 1874 in Lyracrumpane, County Kerry. In 1905 Canty married John Wilmot, then a Private in the 8th Hussars, in Aldershot in the United Kingdom. The couple had four children. They returned to Kerry sometime before 1908. John was called up in 1914 when the First World War began.

When the war of Independence began in 1919 she began working for the North Kerry Flying Column supplying information on troop movements as well as smuggling arms and ammunition out of the barracks. She also provided information on what the RIC knew about the enemy's movements and plans for arrests. In January 1921 she went to work in the Listowel RIC Barracks and continued her subversive activities. This however brought her under suspicion and she was in danger. Wilmot continued to provide arms and information until September 1921 when she was finally dismissed.

John Wilmot appears to have abandoned his family leaving his wife to raise the four children. She returned to working as a cook and housekeeper for the local police after the creation of the Irish Free State. When Wilmot could no longer work due to ill health she applied for and received a pension from the Irish State for her work during the war.