Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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February's Updates
Date Name Information
20/02/2019 Pte. William George Herdman Private W S Herdman, (son of Mr J E Herdman and Mrs Herdman) has died in a German Field Hospital while a prisoner of war, from being gassed and wounded on 23rd March last. This young soldier was an assistant in Mr Smyth’s drapery establishment when the war broke out and was one of the first to volunteer, joining the 10th Inniskillings. He went with the first draft of the Ulster Division to France and served throughout the whole campaign without a wound until the fight for St Quentin, when he was gassed and wounded in the German advance of last spring, and was taken a prisoner. Much sympathy is felt with the parents in their bereavement.
20/02/2019 Pte. William George Herdman 01108
20/02/2019 Pte. William George Herdman From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th December 1918: Magherafelt
20/02/2019 R/man Stewart Agnew Rifleman Stewart Agnew, New Zealand Forces, died in hospital on 4th November. He had been in England completing his training before going to the front and caught trench fever. The deceased was Mr Agnew’s fourth son, and emigrated to New Zealand about four years ago. At the time of the Home Rule crisis, he was a devout supporter of the Ulster Volunteer movement, being an enthusiastic member of the Tamlaght O’Crilly Company of the Force. The news of the death is deeply regretted by his old chums of the company and numerous other friends.
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20/02/2019 R/man Stewart Agnew From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th November 1918:
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Some military records have his surname as ‘Simple’. Ireland’s Memorial Record’s give him the Service No 953417.
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18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company initially planned for Ebro to operate on the West Indies service in the Caribbean, but due to the start of the First World War, RMS Ebro made only a single voyage on this service, in April 1915.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Fireman William Semple is buried in Plymouth (Ford Park) Cemetery in England.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple His sister, Rachael, and cousin, Annie Semple, attended the funeral, which was carried out with full naval honours.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Fireman Semple contracted influenza and died of the ‘Spanish Flu’ in the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, on Monday 28th October 1918.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple On 11th October the ship was near Plymouth. Seven ratings and eight marines were taken from the ship to hospital in Plymouth.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Logs from the HMS Ebro show that from 1st August 1918, the crew started to contract influenza. By 6th August they had 79 men on the ‘sick list’.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple HMS Ebro was integrated into the 10th Auxiliary cruiser squadron, where it served as a convoy escort throughout the war.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Fireman William Semple was attached to H.M.S. Ebro, and saw service in a good part of the world.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple The Ebro was then requisitioned, together with her sister ship RMS Essequibo and four other liners of the company, by the Royal Navy to serve as auxiliary cruisers armed with eight 6-inch guns, depth charges and mines.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple William Semple volunteered in Glasgow in March 1916 and joined the Merchant Navy.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 18 in Killyfaddy. Killyfaddy is a neighbouring townland of Dunarnon.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple The 1901 census not list William as living with the family at house 29 in Killyfaddy, Ballymoghan, County Londonderry. His father was a 75 year old farm labourer.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Known family: John Semple, Eliza Semple, Mary Ann Semple (born about 1863), William Semple, Rachel Semple (born about 1875).
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple William Semple was born in Magherafelt. He was one of ten children. The 1911 census records that seven of those were still living by that time.
18/02/2019 Fireman William Semple William Semple was the son of John and Eliza Semple. They were married about 1857.
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Deeply regretted by his sorrowing sisters, Mary Ann and Rachel Semple.
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple And leave us here to mourn.’
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple That he so soon in death would sleep,
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple That he would never return;
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple We little thought when he left home,
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple None mentioned his name but with praise.
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple None knew him but to love him,
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple In the pride of his manhood days;
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple ‘In the blossom of life, death claimed him,
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple SEMPLE – 28th October, 1918 (died of influenza), at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, England, Stoker William Semple, late of H.M.S. Ebro, beloved son of the late Mr and Mrs Semple, Dunarnon, Magherafelt.
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17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th November 1918:
17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple Stoker William Semple, Dunarnon, Magherafelt, who volunteered in Glasgow in March 1916, and joined the Navy. He was attached to H.M.S. Ebro, and saw service in a good part of the world. He contracted influenza and died in the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, on 28th October. His sister, Rachael, and cousin, Annie Semple, attended the funeral, which was carried out with full naval honours.
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17/02/2019 Fireman William Semple From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th November 1918: Stoke William Semple
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Mrs A H Devlin (Maggie), Loy Terrace, Cookstown
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Soon and forever the soldier lay down
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Soon and forever the soldier lay down
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Soon and forever the soldier lay down
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie The warfare accomplished, the victory won;
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Soon and forever the fight shall be done
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Christians with Christ shall be soon and forever.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Where life cannot fail and where death cannot sever,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Shall weary no more on the warfare of sin,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Where have fightings without us, and fears from within,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie And learn the deep meaning of things that have been.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Soon and forever we’ll see as we’re seen,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie Shall chase all the night clouds of sorrow away,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie ‘Soon and forever the breaking of day,
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie LESLIE – 29th March 1917, at 42 Casualty Clearing Station. France, Private R J Leslie, No 1 Company, 15th Battalion, Canadians, eighth and youngest son of the late Thomas Leslie, Leslie’s Hill, Castledawson.
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie 01103
16/02/2019 Pte. Robert John Leslie From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th March 1918:
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran He has returned to God who gave.’
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran No stone or tablet marks his grave,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran He fought for honour, truth and right;
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran Gallant and brave, with all his might,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran The bugle may sound, but he will not advance.
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran And now he lies low in the red fields of France,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran It was his misfortune in battle to fall;
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran Although he was loved and respected by all,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran Beloved of my blossom, Oh where are you now?
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran With a shake of the hand, and a kiss on the brow,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran The night it became our sad fortune to part;
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran ‘Robert, my son, I was grieved to the heart,
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran MORAN – Killed in action in France on 14th October 1918, Lance Corporal Robert Moran, dearly beloved and only son of Thomas and Bridget Moran, Ballynagowan, Desertmartin, aged 20 years.
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran 01102
15/02/2019 L/Corp Robert Moran From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th November 1918:
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** by sorrowing father, mother, ** brothers, Leitrim, Castledawson
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** in brighter shore.’
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** to clasp his loving hand
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** the cannons roar,
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** mid din of battle,
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** beloved son
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** manly heart he did his part,
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ** will it must be done
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie ‘** was hard, we felt it much –
15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie LESLIE – In loving memory of Private John Leslie, Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action in France, 25th September 1915.
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15/02/2019 Pte. John Leslie From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st October 1918:
15/02/2019 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd The news of the sad and untimely death of Gunner Thomas Kidd, H.M.S. Ajax, fifth son of Mrs Kidd, Toomebridge, who fell a victim to the influenza epidemic, occasioned feelings of deepest regret throughout the district. The deceased, who was aged 24 years, was the youngest of three brothers serving with His Majesty’s Forces, was on leave about two months ago when he was in capital health and spirits. There was no more popular young man in the district, and with his bereaved mother and the other members of the family, the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community is extended.
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15/02/2019 Able Seaman Thomas Kidd From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st October 1918: Toome
13/02/2019 R/man Allston Neely 01099
13/02/2019 R/man Allston Neely He was a member of Lislea L.O.L. and of Tamlaght O’Crilly Parish Church.
13/02/2019 R/man Allston Neely Allston served his apprenticeship in the hardware and grocery establishment of Thomas A Lytle in Maghera.
13/02/2019 R/man Allston Neely Lance Corporal Alston Neely, New Zealand Forces, who has recently made the great sacrifice, is the fourth son of Mr William J Neely, Moyagoney. He emigrated a few years ago to New Zealand, where he joined the colours. From his landing in France, he was through many hard fought battles. Before going to the colonies, he served his apprenticeship in the hardware and grocery establishment of Thomas A Lyttle, and during his stay in Maghera he made a host of friends. He was a member of Lislea L.O.L. and of Tamlaght O’Crilly Parish Church, being the second member of that congregation to make the supreme sacrifice. The news of his death is regretted by all who knew him.
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13/02/2019 R/man Allston Neely From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918:
13/02/2019 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. Before joining the colours he was a member of Upperlands U.V.F. and also of the Upperlands Purple Marksmen L.O.L. 817, and was a respected member of Magherafelt Presbyterian Church. Needless to say that the intelligence of this bright young lad’s end fate has caused genuine regret amongst his numerous friends.
13/02/2019 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. Corporal Thomas McIlroy, of the Inniskillings, has been reported missing since 21st March, and until now all efforts for information as to the fate of the gallant young soldier proved futile. However, a few days ago Mr John Porter, Culnady, received a letter from his son, Corporal Robert Porter, Inniskillings, who is a prisoner of war in Germany, stating that he has been informed by Sergeant Pierce Turkington, also a prisoner of war, that on the 21st March, Corporal McIlroy died from the effects of being gassed. Last November Corporal McIlroy was awarded the Military Medal when he, in the company of three other gallant South Derry lads, held up a force of over two hundred Germans for over four hours in the river bank at Cambrai. He was amongst the first contingent from Upperlands in September 1914 to join the Ulster Division and was…
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13/02/2019 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Upperlands
13/02/2019 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. At the annual meeting of L.O.L. No 97, Castledawson, all the officers were re-elected. Letters of sympathy were directed to be forwarded to Brother Joseph McCracken (son) killed in action, and to Brother Sergeant Bob Woods (wounded) on the death of his mother. Feeling references were made to the loss sustained by the lodge in the death of Brother Lance Corporal William Shanks, killed in action.
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13/02/2019 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Castledawson
12/02/2019 Pte. John Fry Corporal Robert G Fry, Canadian Army Medical Corps, paid a short visit to the district this week. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs William Clark and Sons, afterwards obtaining a situation on a large wholesale concern in Knaresborough. He returned to Upperlands and for some time filled the position of cashier in Messrs Clark’s firm. He took a deep interest in religious matters, and was a most energetic worker in Magherafelt Methodist Mission and on so many occasions occupied the pulpits in Magherafelt and Knockloughrim Methodist Church. An ardent Temperance reformer, he was lodge deputy of Culnady Good Templar lodge, and secretary in the South Derry District lodge. He was imbued with a strong desire for the ministry, and in the spring of 1912, he resigned his situation and emigrated to Canada, where he entered into training for the Presbyterian Church. From the outbreak of hostilities he held it to be his duty to help his country, and accordingly joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps (C.A.M.C.), with which he has been serving in France for three years. Two brothers in this country joined the British forces, one of them, Private John Fry, Manchester Regiment, having been killed.
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12/02/2019 Pte. John Fry From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: (Robert Fry – brother of John Fry)
12/02/2019 R/man Thomas McCready Henderson Tobermore Olive Branch Royal Black Preceptory No 390 held their monthly meeting in the Orange Hall, Tobermore, on 10th October, when Sir Kt W Bradley, R.W.M., occupied the chair, assisted by Sir Kt James Elliott in the vice-chair. Roll call showed a good attendance and the finances, that the preceptory was in a flourishing condition. Two members were initiated and eighteen members received higher degrees. Votes of sympathy were passed to Sir Kt James Todd, D.M., on the death of his son; to Sir Kt John Henderson on the death in action of his brother, and to Sir Kt James Anderson on the death of his brother John, who fell in action also.
12/02/2019 R/man Thomas McCready Henderson 01093
12/02/2019 R/man Thomas McCready Henderson From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Tobermore
12/02/2019 Pte. John Anderson 01094
12/02/2019 Pte. John Anderson Tobermore Olive Branch Royal Black Preceptory No 390 held their monthly meeting in the Orange Hall, Tobermore, on 10th October, when Sir Kt W Bradley, R.W.M., occupied the chair, assisted by Sir Kt James Elliott in the vice-chair. Roll call showed a good attendance and the finances, that the preceptory was in a flourishing condition. Two members were initiated and eighteen members received higher degrees. Votes of sympathy were passed to Sir Kt James Todd, D.M., on the death of his son; to Sir Kt John Henderson on the death in action of his brother, and to Sir Kt James Anderson on the death of his brother John, who fell in action also.
12/02/2019 Pte. John Anderson 01093
12/02/2019 Pte. John Anderson From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Tobermore
11/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson Lance Corporal Wilson, Canadian Forces, a report of whose death in action appeared last week.
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11/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 3rd October 1918: Lance Corporal Wilson
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson Inserted by his sorrowing father.
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson You will find our hero’s name.’
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson On Britain’s Roll of Honour
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson The call was not in vain;
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson His King and country called him;
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson We trust in Christ to meet again.
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson The loss was great, but why complain!
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson To part with one we loved so dear;
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson ‘The stroke was hard, the shock severe,
10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson WILSON – Lance Corporal Humphrey Wilson, Canadian Infantry, killed in action in France on 2nd September 1918, second son of William Wilson, Ballymaguigan. Twice wounded, aged 22.
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10/02/2019 L/Corp Humphrey Wilson From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th September 1918:
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond Ever remembered by his loving daughter Lily.
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond Dear to my heart, in the place where he sleeps.’
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond Never while life lasts shall I forget him,
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond Loving him dearly, his memory I’ll keep,
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond ‘One year has passed, oh how I miss him;
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond Ever remembered by his loving wife and children, Castledawson, County Derry.
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond I will remember thee.
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond But as long as life and memory last,
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond A grave I will never see,
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond ‘Sleep on dear husband in a foreign grave,
09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond HAMMOND – 29108 Lance Corporal W J Hammond, died of wounds on 12th September 1917.
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09/02/2019 L/Corp William James Hammond From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th September 1918:
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