Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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March's Updates
Date Name Information
30/03/2017 Chief Eng Frederick William Forbes Frederick William Forbes, a chief engineer, of Laurel Cottage, Magherafelt, was lost at sea through enemy action on 11th April.
30/03/2017 Chief Eng Frederick William Forbes 00955
30/03/2017 Chief Eng Frederick William Forbes From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th April 1918: Naval Casualties
29/03/2017 Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. 00954
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston ‘I am more than sorry’, writes the C.O., ‘to have to tell you that your son was killed in action on 26th March. He was at the time gallantly defending a section of trench against an enemy attack. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to lose him, he was a splendid officer, and one I could always trust to do his duty nobly, as he was doing when he was killed.’
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston Mr Thomas Houston, Summerhill, Maghera, has received a letter from Lieutenant Colonel W J Peacocke regarding the death in action of his son, Second Lieutenant A O Houston, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers:-
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston 00953
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th April 1918: Tribute to Maghera Officer
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon Robert McCahon’s sister, Sarah A McCahon, served as a nurse in France.
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon Robert McCahon was a brother of Mrs A C McIlrath, Wynecroft, Knock, Belfast and of Rev George McCahon, a Presbyterian missionary in China.
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon Lieutenant Robert McCahon, Royal Engineers, youngest son of Mr John McCahon, Regent Street, Kilrea, County Derry, died on 30th March of wounds received in action. This officer volunteered at the outbreak of war, and was twice wounded, the first occasion being at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 10th March 1916. Lieutenant McCahon took the B.A.I. degree at Trinity College Dublin in 1914, and before joining the colours he was on the engineering staff of the City Hall, Belfast. He was a brother of Mrs A C McIlrath, Wynecroft, Knock, Belfast; of Miss S A McCahon, who is nursing in France, and of Rev George McCahon, a Presbyterian missionary in China.
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon 00952
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th April 1918:
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston After promotion to the rank of corporal, he was selected for a course of training, and received his commission.
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston Arthur Houston volunteered as a private in the Derry Battalion of the Ulster Division at the outbreak of the war.
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston Second Lieutenant Arthur O Houston, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Summerhill, Maghera, County Derry, has been killed in action. Second Lieutenant Houston volunteered as a private in the Derry Battalion of the Ulster Division at the outbreak of the war, and after promotion to the rank of corporal, he was selected for a course of training, and received his commission about a year ago. In civil life he was a clerk in the works of Messrs. Clark and Sons, Upperlands.
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston 00951
29/03/2017 2nd Lieut Arthur Oswald Houston From the Belfast Newsletter dated 4th April 1918:
29/03/2017 Lieut Robert McCahon 2nd Lieutenant McCahon was wounded at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 10th March 1916. He wrote home:-
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson His brother, Lieutenant Harral Oliver-Thompson, served with the Manchester Regiment. It is believed he survived the war.
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson He received his commission from Trinity College Dublin Officer Training Corps in 1915, became captain in 1916, and became major in February 1918. He was one of the youngest majors in the British Army.
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson While attending Trinity College Dublin, he resided for two years with his uncle, Rev Thomas Fisher, at the Rectory, Knockloughrim, County Derry.
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson The death is announced from the War Office of Major J H Oliver-Thompson, Division Machine Gun Battery, who was killed in action on 21st March. During his university career in Trinity College Dublin he resided for two years with his uncle, Rev Thomas Fisher, at the Rectory, Knockloughrim, County Derry, where great regret is felt that such a brilliant career is cut short. He received his commission from Trinity College Dublin Officer Training Corps in 1915, became captain in 1916, and only recently got his majority, since his return from leave four weeks ago. He was one of the youngest majors in the British Army, having only attained his 22nd birthday on 10th March. He was a native of Liverpool, and his brother, Lieutenant Harral Oliver Thompson, is serving with the Manchester Regiment.
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson 00950
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th March 1918: Major J H Oliver-Thompson
27/03/2017 Maj John Herbert Oliver-Thompson John Herbert Oliver-Thompson was the son of Henry and Alice Marian Thompson. John was born on 10th March 1896 in Liverpool.
26/03/2017 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 27382 Private C Boyd, Desertmartin.
26/03/2017 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. 00949
26/03/2017 Pte. Christy Boyd M.M. From the Belfast Newsletter dated 14th March 1918: The Military Medal
26/03/2017 Pte. George Reilly Bell Private George Bell, Irish Guards, son of Mr joseph Bell, Castledawson, killed.
26/03/2017 Pte. George Reilly Bell 00948
26/03/2017 Pte. George Reilly Bell From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st February 1918:
25/03/2017 Pte. David Tomb Graham Private D Graham, Seaforth Highlanders, Kilrea, killed
25/03/2017 Pte. David Tomb Graham 00947
25/03/2017 Pte. David Tomb Graham From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th January 1918:
25/03/2017 Pte. John Jack Harte M.M. Lance Corporal William Shanks and Private Jack Harte, of Castledawson, have been awarded the Military Medal. They belong to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
25/03/2017 Pte. John Jack Harte M.M. 00946
25/03/2017 Pte. John Jack Harte M.M. From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th January 1918:
25/03/2017 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. Lance Corporal William Shanks and Private Jack Harte, of Castledawson, have been awarded the Military Medal. They belong to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
25/03/2017 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. 00946
25/03/2017 L/Corp William Shanks M.M. From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th January 1918:
25/03/2017 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. Lance Corporal Thomas McIlroy, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Upperlands, has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in the recent fighting. It appears that, with a number of others, he was on patrol when they walked into a German stronghold. A fierce struggle, lasting over two hours ensued, and through the good work and devotion to duty of Lance Corporal McIlroy and two other members of the party, the Germans were held up and the patrol saved from capture. Corporal McIlroy was amongst the first batch of volunteers from Upperlands to join the Ulster Division at its formation. He has been at the front ever since the 36th Division went out. Before joining the colours he was a member of Upperlands Company of the U.V.F., and was connected with Upperlands L.O.L. He is a respected member of Maghera Presbyterian Church. He was employed on the clerical staff of Messrs. W Clark and Sons Ltd.
25/03/2017 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. 00945
25/03/2017 L/Corp Thomas McIlroy M.M. From the Belfast Newsletter dated 11th January 1918: The Military Medal
23/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry Private James McKendry, Toberhead, Castledawson, now reported killed on 16th August last.
23/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry 00944
23/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th January 1918:
20/03/2017 Fly Off William Church Mann 00943
18/03/2017 Lieut Thomas Boston Thomas obtained his commission in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 19th April 1915.
18/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth Private John Smyth, Sprucebank, Portglenone, died from gunshot wounds received in action on 26th November. He had been transferred from the North Irish Horse to the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
18/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth 00942
18/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth From the Belfast Newsletter dated 17th December. 1917:
17/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth John Smyth, Royal Irish Fusiliers, formerly North Irish Horse, son of Mr John Smith, Sprucebank, Portglenone, died in the 5th Hospital at Rouen on the 1st December, of gunshot wounds received in action round Cambrai on 26th November. He was of fine soldierly bearing, courageous and made many friends.
17/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth 00941
17/03/2017 Pte. John Smyth From the Belfast Newsletter dated 6th December. 1917:
17/03/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland Private D McClelland, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Brecart, Toomebridge, killed in action.
17/03/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland 00940
17/03/2017 Pte. Daniel McClelland From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th December. 1917:
15/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford Last night’s London Gazette contained a despatch from Lieutenant General G F Milne, C.B, D.S.O., Commander in Chief of the British Salonika Force, submitting a list of officers and men whose services he brings to notice for gallant conduct and distinguished services rendered during the six months ended 25th October last. Amongst those mentioned are: Royal Flying Corps – Lieutenant J L Bamford, General List, son of Mr Joseph Bamford, J.P., Kilrea. This officer was killed in action on 20th August last.
15/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford 00939
15/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford From the Belfast Newsletter dated 29th November 1917: Officers Mentioned in Despatches
13/03/2017 Pte. John Alexander McNiece Private John McNiece, New Zealand Forces, Ballymatoskerty, Toomebridge, killed in action.
13/03/2017 Pte. John Alexander McNiece 00938
13/03/2017 Pte. John Alexander McNiece From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th November 1917:
12/03/2017 Pte. Alexander Michael Private Alexander Michael, Australian Forces, Reastown, Kilrea, killed in action.
12/03/2017 Pte. Alexander Michael 00937
12/03/2017 Pte. Alexander Michael From the Belfast Newsletter dated 10th November 1917:
12/03/2017 Pte. Patrick Henry Private Patrick Henry, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed, was a son of Mr James Henry, Cloghogue, Toomebridge.
12/03/2017 Pte. Patrick Henry 00936
12/03/2017 Pte. Patrick Henry From the Belfast Newsletter dated 29th October 1917:
09/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry Private James McKendry, son of Mr and Mrs Charles McKendry, Toberhead, Castledawson, wounded and missing since 16th August. There is ground for hope that he is a prisoner.
09/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry 00935
09/03/2017 Pte. James McKendry From the Belfast Newsletter dated 28th September 1917:
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 34 in Castledawson Town. Moses was working as a labourer.
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie Family: Moses Leslie, Ruth Leslie, Robert Leslie (born 3rd November 1888), Hugh Leslie (born 15th July 1890), William Leslie (born 24th November 1892), Ellen Leslie (born 24th April 1895, died 1st May 1895), James Leslie (born 30th September 1896), Alexander Leslie (born 17th April 1899), Samuel Leslie (born 13th May 1902), Jack Leslie (born 25th November 1904), Adeline Leslie (born 14th November 1906).
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie The 1901 census lists William as age 11, living with the family at house 34 in Tamniarn, Castledawson, County Londonderry. Moses was a farm labourer.
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie William Leslie was born in Castledawson on 24th November 1892.He was one of nine children, eight surviving.
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie William Leslie was the son of Moses and Ruth Leslie. Moses Leslie married Ruth Lennon on 20th May 1887 in the district of Magherafelt.
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie Private William Leslie, missing since 16th August, is a son of Mr Moses Leslie, Castledawson.
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie 00934
08/03/2017 Pte. William Leslie From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd September 1917:
08/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond William James Hammond was a Past Master (P.M.) of Curran Masonic Lodge.
08/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond Lance Corporal William Hammond, killed, was a rural postman in Magherafelt. He was a P.M. of Curran Masonic Lodge.
08/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond 00933
08/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd September 1917:
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Lance Corporal W Flynn, R.I.R., killed, was a son of Mr W G Flynn, Upperlands.
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn 00932
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd September 1917:
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Rifleman William Flynn returned to the front in 1917.
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Owing to ill health, William was invalided home later in 1916. A newspaper report seems to imply he spent Christmas 1916 with his father in Upperlands.
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William took part in the Battle of the Somme.
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Another soldier at present home on leave is Lance Corporal W G Flynn, Royal Irish Rifles (son of Mr W G Flynn, Upperlands), who, owing to ill health, was invalided home some time ago. He took part in the big push on the 1st July.
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn 00931
08/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th December 1916: Upperlands
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to Mr William George Flynn, father, Upperlands, County Derry. Signed Lance Corporal William George Flynn.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn 00930
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Last Will and Testament of Rifleman William Flynn dated 16th April 1917:
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Notification has been received from Mr J. Flynn, formerly manager of Lisnafillan Bleaching Works, and now of Upperlands, that his son, Rifleman William Flynn, has been killed in action. Rifleman Flynn was a member of the UVF and was the first man to enlist from the Galgorm Company. He went to the front with the Ulster Division and prior to enlisting was employed in the Lisnafillan Works.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn From the Ballymena Observer dated 31st August 1917: Rifleman William Flynn
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Lance Corporal Willie Flynn, R.I.R., missing, believed killed, is a son of Mr W Flynn, formerly of Ballymena, now of Upperlands.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn 00929
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn From the Belfast Newsletter dated 15th September 1917:
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn The CWFC record Rifleman William George Acheson Flynn as the son of William George Wade Flynn, of Glenbank, Ballysillan, Belfast, and the late Sarah Flynn.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Rifleman William George Flynn is also commemorated in Ahoghill Church of Ireland.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn At the time of his death his father was living and working in Upperlands, County Londonderry. In his will, he left all to his father.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Rifleman W G A Flynn has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Rifleman William George Flynn was serving with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on Saturday 11th August 1917.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William enlisted in Ballymena. He was the first man to enlist from the Galgorm Company. He was living in County Londonderry at the time.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William Flynn was a member of the Galgorm Company of the U.V.F.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Prior to enlisting William was employed in the Lisnafillan Works. His father was a manager of Lisnafillan Bleaching Works.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn The 1911 census lists William’s father living with his new family at house 47 in Lisnafillan, Ahoghill, County Antrim.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn The 1911 census lists William as age 16, living with relatives at house 27 in Laurencetown, Tullylish. He was still at school.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Remarried father’s family: William George Wade Flynn, Elizabeth Flynn, Margaret Raphael Flynn (born 1st January 1906), Samuel Redmond Flynn (born 24th August 1907), Sarah Elizabeth Flynn 1 (born 24th April 1910).
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William’s father remarried. William Flynn married Elizabeth Mack on 3rd August 1904 in Belfast. They went on have at least three children.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn The 1901 census lists his father living at house 19 in Muckamore, County Antrim. He was a widower and had his seven year old daughter Helen living with him. He was described as an assistant manager of a bleach works.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn The 1901 census lists William as age 6, living with his aunt at house 4 in Laurencetown Town, Tullylish, County Down.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn Known family: William George Wade Flynn, Sarah Flynn, Helen J Flynn (born about 1894), William George Acheson Flynn (born about 1895).
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William’s mother Sarah died when he was very young.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William George Acheson Flynn was born in Laurencetown, County Down about 1895.
07/03/2017 R/man William George A Flynn William Flynn was the son of William George Wade Flynn and Sarah Flynn.
07/03/2017 R/man Hugh Harris Rifleman Hugh Harris, Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds, was the only son of Mr Robert Harris, Craigs, Ballymena.
07/03/2017 R/man Hugh Harris 00928
07/03/2017 R/man Hugh Harris From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th September 1917:
07/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond Private William Hammond, wounded, was a rural postman in Magherafelt. His wife resides in Castledawson.
07/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond 00927
07/03/2017 L/Corp William James Hammond From the Belfast Newsletter dated 11th September 1917:
07/03/2017 Pte. John George Mackrell Private J G Mackrell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Upperlands, missing since 1st July 1916, was killed on that date.
07/03/2017 Pte. John George Mackrell 00926
07/03/2017 Pte. John George Mackrell From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th September 1917:
07/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford Lieutenant Joseph L Bamford, Royal Flying Corps, previously reported missing, believed killed, is now officially returned as killed in action on the 20th August. He was the only son of Mr Joseph Bamford J.P., Kilrea.
07/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford 00925
07/03/2017 Lieut Joseph Lamont Bamford From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th September 1917:
06/03/2017 R/man Edward Lennox Rifleman Eddie Lennox, Royal Irish Rifles, Fallahogey, Kilrea, killed in action on the 10th August.
06/03/2017 R/man Edward Lennox 00924
06/03/2017 R/man Edward Lennox From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st September 1917:
06/03/2017 Pte. James Huston Knox Private James Knox, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Bridge Street, Kilrea, killed in action.
06/03/2017 Pte. James Huston Knox 00923
06/03/2017 Pte. James Huston Knox From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st September 1917:
06/03/2017 Pte. Robert Gilmore Private Robert Gilmour, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Reastown, Kilrea, reported missing since 1st July 1916, was killed on that date.
06/03/2017 Pte. Robert Gilmore 00922
06/03/2017 Pte. Robert Gilmore From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st September 1917:
04/03/2017 Pte. William Workman Private William Workman, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Inchaleen, Garvagh, killed in action.
04/03/2017 Pte. William Workman 00921
04/03/2017 Pte. William Workman From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th August 1917:
04/03/2017 Corp Thomas James McMath Corporal Thomas McMath, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Bridge Street, Kilrea, killed in action. The deceased was a member of Kilrea Apprentice Boys L.O.L., and of the Kilrea Company of the U.V.F.
04/03/2017 Corp Thomas James McMath 00920
04/03/2017 Corp Thomas James McMath From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th August 1917:
04/03/2017 Pte. James Cassidy Private James Cassidy, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Tirgarvil, Upperlands, killed in action.
04/03/2017 Pte. James Cassidy 00919
04/03/2017 Pte. James Cassidy From the Belfast Newsletter dated 24th August 1917:
04/03/2017 2nd Lieut Joseph Laverty Second Lieutenant Joseph Laverty, Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action on 16th August, was a son of Mr James Laverty, Tobermore, County Derry. A school teacher by profession, he was principal of Castlerobin National School, Derriaghy, from which he volunteered for the Army through the Belfast University Contingent of the Officers Training Corps. He had been a year at the front.
04/03/2017 2nd Lieut Joseph Laverty 00918
04/03/2017 2nd Lieut Joseph Laverty From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd August 1917:
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