Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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January's Updates
Date Name Information
29/01/2017 ComSergMaj James Surgenor Ulster Divisional Cards for Gallantry and Good Service have been granted to the following W.O.’s and N.C.O.’s and men of the South Antrim Battalion Royal Irish Rifles – 2539 Sergeant J Surgenor (C.S.M, since killed).
29/01/2017 ComSergMaj James Surgenor 00908
29/01/2017 ComSergMaj James Surgenor From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd May 1917: Certificates for Gallantry
29/01/2017 L/Corp Thomas Adams Corporal Thomas Adams, Gordon Highlanders, who has died of wounds, was a son of Mr John Adams, Claragh House, Kilrea, County Derry. He was at business in Glasgow and volunteered early in 1916, being sent to France in February last. He took part in the recent big push, and was wounded in the right leg, and was admitted to hospital on Monday 23rd April. The leg had to be amputated, and he died on Friday 28th April. Being a true patriot, he said he would never be a conscript or a shirker.
29/01/2017 L/Corp Thomas Adams 00907
29/01/2017 L/Corp Thomas Adams From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th May 1917:
27/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford Second Lieutenant Joseph L Bamford, General List, Royal Flying Corps, son of Mr Joseph Bamford J.P., The Arcade, Kilrea, County Derry, the Croix de Guerre.
27/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford 00906
27/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd May 1917:
23/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford It is interesting to note that J L Bamford, who, as reported in our issue yesterday’s date, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre by the President of the French Republic, was previous to joining the colours on the staff of Messrs J B Ferguson Ltd, the well-known firm of automotive engineers in Chichester Street. This is the third member of this firm’s staff to be decorated, Lieutenant A G Smyth and Noel Dawson having each been awarded the Military Cross for deeds of gallantry within the past few months.
23/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford 00905
23/01/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th April 1917: Belfast Firm’s Record
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon Private George Gribbon has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon Private George Gribbon was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France & Flanders on 31st January 1917.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon George enlisted in Hamilton, Scotland.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon Other newspaper reports suggest George Gribbon also lived in the Brecart, just east of Toome.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon The 1911 census lists a 16 year old George Gribbon, age 16, working as a servant for the Wilson family at house 1 in Ballydugennan, Cargin, County Antrim. He was born in Scotland. Ballydugennan lies south east of Toome.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon George Gribbon was born in Dalzell, Motherwell, Lanark about 1895.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon Private George Gribben, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Toomebridge, killed in action.
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon 00904
23/01/2017 Pte. George Gribbon From the Belfast Newsletter dated 24th April 1917:
22/01/2017 Pte. John Francis Timoney Sergeant John Timoney, Canadian Infantry, Church Street, Magherafelt
22/01/2017 Pte. John Francis Timoney 00903
22/01/2017 Pte. John Francis Timoney From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th April 1917:
22/01/2017 L/Corp John McCotter 00902
22/01/2017 L/Corp John McCotter Lance Corporal John McCotter, Australian Forces, Lisnagrot, Kilrea, died of wounds.
22/01/2017 L/Corp John McCotter 00901
22/01/2017 L/Corp John McCotter From the Belfast Newsletter dated 4th April 1917:
21/01/2017 Pte. Daniel Blann Private Daniel Blann, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Kilrea, killed in action
21/01/2017 Pte. Daniel Blann 00900
21/01/2017 Pte. Daniel Blann From the Belfast Newsletter dated 31st March 1917:
21/01/2017 L/Corp Robert McIlrath Robert McIlrath served overseas from October 1915.
21/01/2017 L/Corp Robert McIlrath Lance Corporal McIlwrath is a son of Mr Samuel McIlwrath, Dullaghy, Kilrea, and has been serving overseas since October 1915. Prior to enlisting he belonged to Kilrea Company, U.V.F., and Boveedy L.O.L. and R.B.P. He volunteered in September 1914.
21/01/2017 L/Corp Robert McIlrath 00899
21/01/2017 L/Corp Robert McIlrath From the Belfast Newsletter dated 24th March 1917:
17/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Second Lieutenant Thomas McKnight, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action on 21st February, was the second son of the late Mr John McKnight, Castledawson, and Mrs McKnight, 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast. He was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Place, before the war. He was for several years in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, with which he was called up for service on the outbreak of the war. A few months later he obtained a transfer to the Pioneer Battalion of the Ulster Division with which he served until he was recommended for a commission, which was granted on 26th November 1916. The deceased was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force.
17/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight 00898
17/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th February 1917:
17/01/2017 Petty Off. William Purcell Petty Officer William Purcell, Royal Naval Division, nephew of Mr Francis Grant, and Mrs Bernard Totten, Toomebridge, was killed in action on 1st February.
17/01/2017 Petty Off. William Purcell 00897
17/01/2017 Petty Off. William Purcell From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd February 1917: Petty Officer’s Death
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken Robert McCracken was a member of Upperlands U.V.F. and L.O.L.
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken Private R McCracken, Boveedy, Kilrea, killed in action. He was formerly employed by Messrs William Clark & Sons, Upperlands.
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken 00896
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th January 1917:
15/01/2017 Pte. Geoffrey William Campbell Private G W Campbell, Black Watch, son of Mr and Mrs Campbell, Ampertaine National School, Upperlands, killed in action, 12th January. He was formerly a member of the staff of Messrs William Clark & Sons, Upperlands.
15/01/2017 Pte. Geoffrey William Campbell 00895
15/01/2017 Pte. Geoffrey William Campbell From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th January 1917:
15/01/2017 Lieut Thomas Boston Second Lieutenant T Bolton, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, now Machine Gun Corps, who obtained his commission in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 19th April 1915, and transferred to his present unit on 2nd June 1916.
15/01/2017 Lieut Thomas Boston 00894
15/01/2017 Lieut Thomas Boston From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th January 1917:
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken Robert McCracken was employed by Messrs William Clark & Sons, Upperlands.
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken Private R McCracken, Boveedy, Kilrea, killed in action. He was formerly employed by Messrs William Clark & Sons, Upperlands.
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken 00893
15/01/2017 Pte. Robert McCracken From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th January 1917:
15/01/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland In early 1917, Private McClelland was injured in a gas attack.
15/01/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland Private Daniel McClelland, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Brecart, Toomebridge, suffering from gas poisoning.
15/01/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland 00892
15/01/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland From the Belfast Newsletter dated 10th January 1917:
15/01/2017 Lieut Thomas Boston Thomas transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 2nd June 1916.
14/01/2017 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. William Arthur Lilley 00889
14/01/2017 Sgt. Joseph Timmins 00891
14/01/2017 Pte. Robert Hugh Wilson 00890
14/01/2017 R/man Patrick Scullion 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Alexander Russell 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. William John Mulholland 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Thomas McQuillan 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Michael McQuillan 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. David McNaught 00890
14/01/2017 2nd Corp William McIlroy 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Robert McClelland 00890
14/01/2017 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd 00890
14/01/2017 Gnr Joseph Hunter 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. John Hunter 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Thomas Gilmore 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. George Alexander Gibson 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. James Frain 00890
14/01/2017 R/man Henry Ewart 00890
14/01/2017 Corp Samuel J Dawson 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Manus Alexander Costello 00890
14/01/2017 Pte. Thomas James Woodend 00889
14/01/2017 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. William McCool 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. William Leslie 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. John Leslie 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. John Johnstone 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. Frederick Houston 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. John Jack Harte M.M. 00889
14/01/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond 00889
14/01/2017 Lieut Samuel Garvin 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. George Gallagher 00889
14/01/2017 R/man William Ellis 00889
14/01/2017 Sgt. John Devlin 00889
14/01/2017 Pte. Matthew Colgan Private Matthew Colgan, of the Canadian Forces, brother of Mrs Dunlop, James Street, Coleraine, killed in action. Private Colgan was a native of Tobermore.
14/01/2017 Pte. Matthew Colgan 00888
14/01/2017 Pte. Matthew Colgan From the Belfast Newsletter dated 6th January 1917:
10/01/2017 R/man John Wilson Private John Wilson, Royal Irish Rifles, Ahoghill, killed
10/01/2017 R/man John Wilson 00887
10/01/2017 R/man John Wilson From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th December 1916:
08/01/2017 Pte. John Fry In November 1918, his brother, Robert Fry, placed a memorial notice in a Belfast newspaper.
08/01/2017 Pte. John Fry Private John Fry, Manchester Regiment, Upperlands, died of wounds
08/01/2017 Pte. John Fry 00886
08/01/2017 Pte. John Fry From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th November 1916:
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Sergeant Tom McKnight, 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers), received his commission in November 1916 and was been posted to the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers).
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight In September 1915, Sergeant McKnight attended cadet school at Headquarters in France preparing to receive his commission.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Tom accompanied the Division to France.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Around November 1914, Tom McKnight was transferred to the 16th Royal Irish Rifles, then stationed at Lurgan. He was speedily promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was one of the most popular non-commissioned officers in the battalion.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight For several years he had been a trooper in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and was mobilised on the outbreak of war.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Tom was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Street, Belfast.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight Sergeant Tom McKnight, 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers), has just received a commission, and has been posted to the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers). Second Lieutenant McKnight is the second son of the late Mr John McKnight, formerly of Castledawson, and Mrs McKnight, 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast. Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Street, Belfast, and was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F. For several years he had been a trooper in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and was mobilised on the outbreak of war. About November 1914, he was transferred to the 16th Royal Irish Rifles, then stationed at Lurgan. He was speedily promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was one of the most popular non-commissioned officers in the battalion. He accompanied the Division to France, where he has since been serving. For the past two months Second Lieutenant McKnight has been in cadet school at Headquarters in France preparatory to receiving his commission.
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight 00885
08/01/2017 2nd Lieut Tom McKnight From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st November 1916:
01/01/2017 Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. The War Office has notified Mr Philip Doherty, Market Street, Magherafelt, that his eldest daughter, Sister Mary Agnes Doherty, succumbed to dysentery in the 29th General Hospital, Salonika on Tuesday last. The deceased was first attached to a general hospital in France, where she was mentioned in despatches by Viscount French. Subsequently she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.) decoration for devotion to duty. After a short leave of absence at home, she was transferred to the 29th General Hospital at Salonika.
01/01/2017 Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. 00884
01/01/2017 Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th September 1916: (Dungannon) Nurse Dies at Salonika
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