Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
19/10/1887
Died:
09/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
27
Summary
William John Mulholland was the son of Thomas and Mary Mulholland. He was born on 19th October 1887 in County Londonderry. He was one of three children. William left school and worked on his father’s farm in Tamlaghtduff, Bellaghy before he emigrated to New Zealand. Prior to enlisting, William was living in Hastings and worked as a labourer for Hastings Borough County Council. He enlisted at the outbreak of war on 14th August 1914. Private William John Mulholland was serving with the Wellington Regiment when he was killed in action at Gallipoli on 9th May 1915.
Further Information
William John Mulholland was the only son of Thomas and Mary Mulholland. He was born on 19th October 1887 in County Londonderry. He was one of three children.
Known family: Thomas Mulholland, Mary Mulholland, Maggie Mulholland (born about 1883), William Mulholland.
The 1901 census lists William as age 16 living with the family at house 19 in Tamlaght Duff, Bellaghy, County Londonderry. William had left school and was working on his father’s farm.
William John Mulholland emigrated to New Zealand around 1907.
The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 19 in Tamlaghtduff, Bellaghy, County Londonderry.
Prior to enlisting, William was living in Hastings and worked as a labourer for Hastings Borough County Council. Hastings is a New Zealand city and is one of the two major urban areas in Hawke's Bay, on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
William enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Hasting at the outbreak of war on 14th August 1914.
Private William John Mulholland was serving with the Wellington Regiment when he was killed in action at Gallipoli on 9th May 1915.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 31st July 1915:
Mr Thomas Mulholland, Bellaghy, County Derry, has been notified that his only son, William, 2nd New Zealand contingent, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st July 1915: Bellaghy
Mr Thomas Mulholland, of Cavan, Bellaghy, has been notified that his only son, William J Mulholland, 2nd New Zealand contingent, was killed on 9th May at the Dardanelles. He left home eight years ago for New Zealand, and volunteered at the opening of the war, A friend writing home about him says:-‘He was believed to be the biggest man in the whole New Zealand force, and he came in for considerable attention as the transport was about to weigh anchor. His last words to his friends in New Zealand as the ship sailed were ‘We’ll all meet on the Folly Brae’, a fondly remembered hill here at home, which alas, he was not fated to see again.
Private William John Mulholland is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery. His epitaph reads: 'Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out'.
Private William John Mulholland is also commemorated on Invercargill Cenotaph in New Zealand.
The CWGC record Private William John Mulholland as the son of Thomas and Mary Mulholland, of Cavan, Tamlaghtduff, Bellaghy, Co. Derry, Ireland.
