Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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December's Updates
Date Name Information
27/12/2018 L/Corp Alexander Leacock Inserted by his sorrowing father, mother, brothers and sisters.
27/12/2018 L/Corp Alexander Leacock ‘They that were ready went in’ - Matthew 25,10
27/12/2018 L/Corp Alexander Leacock LEACOCK – In loving memory of Private alexander Leacock, of the 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of John Leacock, Strawmore, Draperstown. He died fighting on behalf of his country in France on 20th January 1917.
27/12/2018 L/Corp Alexander Leacock 01070
27/12/2018 L/Corp Alexander Leacock From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th January 1918:
27/12/2018 Pte. Samuel Rowe Private Alexander Richardson, Inniskillings, wounded recently, is on leave in the district, and Private Samuel Rowe, of the same regiment, is also spending a few days home from the front.
27/12/2018 Pte. Samuel Rowe 01069
27/12/2018 Pte. Samuel Rowe From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th January 1918: Maghera
27/12/2018 Pte. Thomas James Woodend Among the soldiers at home on leave over Christmas were the following:- Private Joseph McCombe, Canadian Machine Gun Corps; Private John Sampson and his brother Corporal George Sampson: sergeant William McKenna and Private Arthur Woodend (shortened).
27/12/2018 Pte. Thomas James Woodend 01068
27/12/2018 Pte. Thomas James Woodend From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th January 1918: Castledawson
27/12/2018 Pte. James McKendry Mr and Mrs Charles McKendry, Toberhead, has been notified by the War Office that their son, Private Jim McKendry, Ulster Division, reported wounded and missing since 16th August last, is believed to have died from wounds on that day. The notification is accompanied by the testimony of a comrade, who tended him that day after he was wounded on the head.
27/12/2018 Pte. James McKendry 01067
27/12/2018 Pte. James McKendry From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th January 1918: Castledawson
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. Christy born in Glasgow, Scotland about 1897.
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. The father and friends of the late Private Boyd wish to return thanks to the officer in charge of the military at Antrim, who sent a firing party to attend the funeral of his son; also to Sergeant Major Agnew, who had charge of the men sent down, for the very courteous and efficient military way they performed their duty, and hope this will be accepted by them.
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. The chief mourners were Robert Boyd (father), Robert John Porter and A Paul (uncles), J and W McKay and Elliotts (cousins). Private William Kelly, Canadians (relatives), who is home on leave from France, assisted in the funeral arrangements.
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. The service at the house and graveside was conducted by the Rev A H Materin, M.A., rector of Maghera. The beautiful oak coffin bore the following inscription:- ‘Private Christopher Boyd 27382 died the 19th December 1917, aged 20 years.’
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. The remains were sent from Manchester by the military authorities and were conveyed in a special carriage to Magherafelt on Christmas Eve, and conveyed to the residence of his grandmother at Carrickokielt, Knockloughrim. The funeral took place on Wednesday 26th December, and was one of the largest ever seen in the district. The deceased was interred in the family burying ground, Mullagh, Maghera, with full military honours, a detachment of the North Irish Horse attending, under Major Agnew, from Antrim. They were taken by Mr S Porter, undertaker, Magherafelt, in brakes and cars to the residence of the deceased’s grandmother, from where they followed the remains to their last resting place, and fired three volleys over the grave.
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. Private Christopher Boyd, 10th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, whose death took place at Manchester Hospital on 19th December from wounds received in action on 7th December. The deceased was severely wounded on both legs and the back, and was treated in the Australian hospital, France. He was sent to England, but succumbed the next day. Private Boyd was the only son of Mr Robert Boyd, Luney, Desertmartin, and grandson of Mrs Christopher Boyd, Carrickokielt, Knockloughrim. He volunteered shortly after the outbreak of war, being then only 17 years of age, and became attached to the 10th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was through all the heavy engagements, including the 16th July with the Ulster Division. He was slightly wounded about the second week in August, after which he received a short leave home, which he spent with his grandmother at Carrickokielt, Knockloughrim.
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. 01066
26/12/2018 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th January 1918: Private Christopher Boyd
22/12/2018 Pte. Bernard Crilly Private Bernard Crilly and James McGeehan, of the Irish Brigade, were home on furlough for a few days last week.
22/12/2018 Pte. Bernard Crilly 01065
22/12/2018 Pte. Bernard Crilly From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th December 1915: Draperstown
21/12/2018 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. Lance Corporal William Shanks, and Lance Corporal Robert Loughrey, 10th Battalion Inniskillings, two of our boys, are at present in hospital in France, the former as the result of a slight accident while trench digging and the latter suffering from the cold. Private J Cassidy, Ballydermott, is also in hospital in Liverpool suffering from gas poisoning.
21/12/2018 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. 01064
21/12/2018 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th December 1915:
21/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan ‘Irish Life’ for 26th November contains another illustrated supplement with portraits of Irishmen who have fallen. Amongst those we notice are Lieutenant Jordan (son of the late Rev Dr Jordan, Magherafelt), Viscount Stewart (son of the Earl of Castlestewart) and Captain A Moutray Read, V.C. (nephew of Mrs Hassard, Desertcreat).
21/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan 01063
21/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th December 1915:
20/12/2018 Pte. John Leslie Private John Leslie, Seaforth Highlanders, son of Mr Robert Leslie, Castledawson, who was killed in action in France. Private Leslie was 22 years of age.
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20/12/2018 Pte. John Leslie From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th November 1915: Private John Leslie
16/12/2018 Corp William L Ellis There are two soldiers named William Ellis who lived in the Toome. The other, who became a captain in the Royal Irish Rifles, was the son of William Ellis, the Petty Session’s clerk. He went on to win a Military Cross and survived the war.
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher ‘God have mercy on his soul and rest in peace. Amen.’
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher To prove how Irish can die.’
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher For he fell where the battle was thickest,
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher Yet they tell me I must not cry,
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher He’s still in the list of the slaughtered,
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher And hushed my poor darling to sleep.
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher Has stilled the young heart in its bosom.
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher The song of the slumbering deep
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher ‘The voice of the bugle had called him;
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher GALLAGHER – Killed in action on 25th August, Private George Gallagher, 7th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, son of William Gallagher, Hillhead, Castledawson.
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher 01061
13/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th September 1915:
13/12/2018 Pte. Cecil William Murray Rev W Kelly, B.A., rector of Bellaghy, who conducted the afternoon services in Christ Church on Sunday, made sympathetic reference to the loss sustained by Rev J B Tarleton and Mrs Tarleton to the death of Mr C W Murray, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles and who was Mrs Tarleton’s eldest brother.
13/12/2018 Pte. Cecil William Murray 01060
13/12/2018 Pte. Cecil William Murray From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: Castledawson
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal 01059
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal 01058
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal Another brother, John McGonigal, served with the Ulster Division. He and Joseph McGonigal both survived the war.
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal The two brothers landed at the Dardanelles on 7th August and went into a severe bayonet charge. Joseph tells of Tom being severely wounded on the right side from a shell, but he never saw him after that.
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal Thomas McGonigal, with his brother Joseph, joined the 5th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal The second we have to record is Thomas McGonigal, who with his brother Joseph, joined the 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His mother received information that her son, Thomas, fell in action at the Dardanelles. He was 24 years of age on 12th July and was well known for his wit and humour. In a letter from his brother, Joseph tells of Tom being severely wounded on the right side from a shell, but he never saw him after and doesn’t know that he is dead, as he thinks he is in hospital all the time. Joseph tells of his own marvellous escape in the same battle. The brushes in his knapsack were riddled with bullets, but he received no harm. The two brothers landed at the Dardanelles on 7th August and went into a severe bayonet charge. Much sympathy is felt for the widowed mother who has three of her sons in the army – Joseph still at the Dardanelles and John with the Ulster Division.
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal 01057
12/12/2018 Pte. Thomas McGonigal From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: Tobermore Roll of Heroes
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready According to the local newspaper Private Fleming McCready was first Tobermore man to be killed in the war. The report also states that Private Fleming McCready w2as awarded the D.S.O., although no record of this can be found.
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready Fleming McCready joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers around 1911.
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready The village of Tobermore has proved its loyalty by its response to Kitchener’s call for volunteers, as fifty young men responded to the call, out of a population of some three hundred, which compares well with any other village in Ireland. The first to give his life for his King and country is a son of Mr Fleming McCready, who received intimation in March from the War Office that his son Fleming was killed in action in France. This young man joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers four years ago, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel P R Wood. When war broke out, this regiment came from India and went to France immediately. Private McCready was in action at once. He was mentioned in General French’s despatch for saving his officer’s life, and was awarded the D.S.O., after which he fell himself, mortally wounded by a shell. Much sympathy is felt for the father and mother for the loss of their son.
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready 01056
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: Tobermore Roll of Heroes
12/12/2018 Pte. Joseph Smyth Private Smyth was building up the trench parapet and had just finished when a bullet went through his left side and came out on his right side. He died not an hour later.
12/12/2018 Pte. Joseph Smyth Lance Corporal Michael Glancy, Machine Gun Section, 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment, in a letter to Mrs Smyth, Curragh, Knockloughrim, states that her son, Joseph, was killed at 3 o’clock on the morning of the 14th August. He was building up the parapet all the night and he had just finished when a bullet went through his left side and came out on his right side. He died not an hour later and over his grave, Lance Corporal Glancy placed a wooden cross. He was highly respected by the men of the whole section. He was the chum of Lance Corporal Glancy, and came over with him from India, and fought by his side until he received the fatal bullet.
12/12/2018 Pte. Joseph Smyth 01055
12/12/2018 Pte. Joseph Smyth From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: Knockloughrim
12/12/2018 Pte. Joseph Smyth Private Joseph Smyth was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Leinster Regiment when he died of wounds in Belgium on the morning of the Friday 13th August 1915. He was 27 years old.
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready Private Fleming McCready was serving with the 2nd Battalion of Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) when he was killed in action on 14th March 1915. It is reported he was killed by a shell.
12/12/2018 Pte. Fleming McCready When war broke out, this regiment came from India and went to France immediately.
10/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher News has been received by his parents at Hillhead, Castledawson, that Private George Gallagher, 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles. Private Gallagher was not eighteen years of age and enlisted since war began.
10/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher 01054
10/12/2018 Pte. George Gallagher From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: Castledawson
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan ‘Tis a soldier he will stand before the Great White Throne.’
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan That steadfast soldier heart was not for this brief life alone;
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan God did not give that martial soul to end at last in nought
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan ‘Still for him high service waits, tho’ the earth’s last fight is fought;
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan The parishioners of Altedesert Parish heard with deep regret of the death of Lieutenant Percy T Jordan, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles on 21st August, and who was the only son of the late Rev Dr Jordan, Rector of Magherafelt. Those who had the privilege of knowing him intimately, have experienced great sorrow, for to know him was to love him. His gentle disposition and unassuming ways endeared him to all. When the war broke out Lieutenant Jordan was a student at Trinity College and an enthusiastic member of the Officers’ Training Corps. He worked zealously and assiduously to influence the young men of the parish and neighbourhood to enlist, and nobly offered himself for King and country, finally giving up his life for us that we mat live peacefully at home. ‘Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ The parishioners offer their respectful and loving sympathy to Rev D and Mrs Wilson (his only sister), Rev W A B and Mrs Jackson, and his other relatives, in their hour of great trial. They have the comfort of knowing he was prepared to go, and is now enjoying Eternal Rest.
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan 01053
09/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th September 1915: Lieutenant Percy T Jordan
07/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan JORDAN – Killed in action at the Dardanelles, 21st August, second Lieutenant Percy Thomas Jordan, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, only son of the late Rev Dr Jordan, rector of Magherafelt, aged 22 years.
07/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan 01052
07/12/2018 Lieut Percy Thomas Jordan From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th September 1915:
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy In Bellaghy Presbyterian Church on Sunday, at the close of the sermon, Rev T McCrea made appropriate and sympathetic reference to the death of Corporal William McIlroy, Royal Engineers, who was killed in actions at the Dardanelles on 20th July, aged 28 years, and who was the first on the congregation’s Roll of Honour to give his life for his country in the present war. He joined the Ordnance Survey Sapper’s Department eight years ago, and was subsequently trained at Chatham. He served for some time at Lagos on the West Coast of Africa, and on his return to England he was employed for nine months in fortification work at Pembroke. In the early spring he was sent with his company to Egypt in connection with the Base stores, and in June to the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was a young man of marked ability and attractive disposition, and was sure to make rapid progress in his profession. Much sympathy for his parents, Mr and Mrs John McIlroy, of Glenvale, Bellaghy, is felt in the district where he was universally esteemed.
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy 01051
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 21st August 1915: Corporal McIlroy
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy Mr John McIlroy, Ballyscullion, has been notified by the War Office that his son Willie was killed at the Dardanelles on 20th July. Private McIlroy was engaged as a sapper and miner for was several years in Nigeria, and for the past two years was engaged in coast defence work in England. In June last he went out to Gallipoli with the Royal Engineers. He is the second Bellaghy man to lay down his life for his country.
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy 01050
03/12/2018 2nd Corp William McIlroy From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th August 1915: Bellaghy
02/12/2018 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd Master Thomas Kidd, Royal Navy, son of Mrs Kidd, Toomebridge, has just completed a short visit to his home. Master Kidd, whose ship has been engaged in coastal defence work, returned to Plymouth on Tuesday.
02/12/2018 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd 01049
02/12/2018 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th August 1915: Toome
01/12/2018 Pte. William John Mulholland 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.
01/12/2018 Pte. William John Mulholland 01048
01/12/2018 Pte. William John Mulholland From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st July 1915: Bellaghy
01/12/2018 Pte. William John Mulholland William John Mulholland emigrated to New Zealand around 1907.
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