10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
30
Summary
Robert Gilmore was the son of John and Sarah Gilmore. Robert was born about 1886 in Kilrea area. The family lived in Drumane, Hervey Hill, Kilrea. His father was a Surface Man on Road. Robert was a farm labourer. Private Robert Gilmore was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, when he was reported missing / killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916. His death was confirmed in September when the family were informed that the body has been found and buried in France.
Further Information
Robert Gilmore was the son of John and Sarah Gilmore. Robert was born about 1886 in the Drumane area of Kilrea.
The spelling of the family name varies throughout, both Gilmore and Gilmour being used. The CWGC used Gilmore.
On almost all documentation, his Regimental number is 19144, except with the CWGC, where it is 9144. This is believed to be a mistake and have asked the CWGC for clarification.
Known family: John Gilmore, Mary Gilmore (born about 1877), Annie Gilmour (born about 1882), Catherine Gilmore (born about 1884), Robert Gilmore (born about 1886), Samuel Gilmore (born about 1893), Sarah Jane Gilmore (born about 1894).
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 15 living with his family at house 21 in Drumane, Hervey Hill, Kilrea, County Londonderry. Robert had left school and worked as a car driver. His father was a Surface Man on Road.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 27 living with his family at house 11 in Drumane, Hervey Hill. Robert was a farm labourer.
Robert was a member of Boveedy L.O.L.
Robert Gilmore enlisted in Kilrea.
Private Robert Gilmore was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, when he was reported missing / killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916.
From the Northern Constitution dated 22nd July 1916:
Private Robert Gilmour, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Drumane, Kilrea, posted missing.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd July 1916:
Private Robert Gilmour, Derry Volunteers, Kilrea, missing.
His death was confirmed in September when the family were informed that the body has been found and buried in France.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st September 1917:
Private Robert Gilmour, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Reastown, Kilrea, reported missing since 1st July 1916, was killed on that date.
From the Northern Constitution dated 1st September 1917:
Mr John Gilmore of Reastown, whose son Private Robert Gilmour, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was reported missing since 1st July, has been informed that the body has been found and buried in France.
Private R Gilmore is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, in the shadow of the Ulster Tower at Thiepval.
Robert apparently had a brother called James, who also served in the same battalion. He was wounded in the face. He was employed at Mr John Bloomfield’s shoe making business in Kilrea and enlisted soon after the war started. He survived the war. No confirmation of this can be found.
