1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
25/05/1897
Died:
14/10/1918 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
21
Summary
Edward Weir was the son of James and Margaret Weir. He was born on 25th May 1897 in Moneymore. He was one of six children. The family went on to live near Swatragh. Edward was a member of Timaconway L.O.L. No. 229. He enlisted in Paisley, Scotland. Edward Weir married Agnes Armstrong on 27th September 1917 in Derry. Sergeant Edward Alexander Weir was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on Monday 14th October 1918, just three days after the war ended.
Further Information
Edward Weir was the son of James and Margaret Weir. James Weir married Margaret Watson on13th November 1886 in the district of Cookstown.
Edward Alexander Weir was born on 25th May 1897 in Moneymore. He was one of six children.
Family: James Weir, Margaret Weir, Mary Anne Weir (born 27th April 1888, Cookstown), William James Weir (born 10th December 1890, Moneymore), Hamilton Weir (born 17th March 1893, Moneymore), Robert J Weir (born 24th July 1895, Moneymore), Edward Alexander Weir (born 25th May 1897, Moneymore), Samuel Weir (born 11th June 1900, Ballycarry, Larne).
The 1901 census lists Edward A as age 4 living with the family at house 18 in Ballynian, The Grove, County Londonderry. The townland of Ballynian lies just east of Swatragh. James Weir was a ploughman. Margaret Weir was a seamstress.
The 1911 census lists Edward Alex as age 14 living with the family at house 1 in Craigavole, The Grove. Edward was still at school. His father was a farm labourer and caretaker.
Edward was a member of Timaconway L.O.L. No. 229. Timaconway lies just east of Ballynian, near Swatragh.
Edward Alexander Weir enlisted in Paisley, Scotland.
Edward, joined the Inniskillings with his brother Robert, and they were both serving together. He also fought through the same battles but at Armentieres he was injured by a piece of shrapnel in the shoulder and had to be invalided home. In May 1915 he had almost completely recovered and had rejoined his regiment.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th September 1915:
Private Robert Weir, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, and a native of Kilrea, has been invalided home wounded, having during the recent fighting at Richebourg been struck by shrapnel in the foot. One of his brothers, who was with 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the Dardanelles, and was awarded the D.C.M. for bravery in the field, has since been killed. Another brother has been wounded in the Dardanelles, and is now in hospital in Cairo.
Edward Weir married Agnes Armstrong on 27th September 1917 in Derry.
Sergeant Edward Alexander Weir was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on Monday 14th October 1918, just three days after the war ended. He was 21 years old.
Last Will and Testament of Private Edward Weir dated 10th November 1917:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife, Mrs Agnes Weir, 58 King Street, Londonderry. Edward Weir, Private 10608, No 4 Company, 8th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Sergeant Weir is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery. Terlincthun British Cemetery is situated on the northern outskirts of Boulogne. Boulogne and Wimereux formed one of the chief hospital areas during World War One.
The CWGC record Sergeant Edward Alexander Weir as the son of Mr and Mrs James Weir of Unshanough, Garryduff, Ballymoney. He is also recorded as the husband of Agnes Weir of 58 King Street, Waterside, Londonderry.
The book ‘Garvagh and Aghadowey Heroes 1914-1918’ lists Sergeant Weir on page 68.
