BALLYMENA 1914-1918

Recent additions

Down by the green bushes of Bonnie Woodgreen

Where me and my true love so oftimes have been

As the days they rolled onward so happy were we

Ah, but never she thought that a soldier I'd be.

 

It was early one morning as the lambs they did play

'Twas off to Kells Barracks, I there made my way

To enlist in the army and fight for my King

And I bid my farewell to Bonnie Woodgreen.

 

Our ship at Larne Harbour sat ready to sail

And mothers were weeping and sisters looked pale

There was singing and dancing all happy and gay

Ah, but little they thought of the lads far away.

 

It was 'way out in Flanders at the back of the line

They were talking of sweethearts they all left behind

When one Irish soldier says, "I have a queen,

And she works in John Ross' of Bonnie Woodgreen."

 

It was early one morning while facing the foe

A shot from the enemy this young lad laid low

He called for his comrades, it was a sad scene,

"Say good-bye to my Nellie and Bonnie Woodgreen."

 

So if ever to Ulster you chance for to stray

There's a neat little fact'ry near Ballymacvea

Where there's weavers and winders all rosy and clean

And they all wear white aprons in Bonnie Woodgreen.

 

(John Ross had a linen weaving factory in Kells, Co Antrim, a few miles south of Ballymena.  Ballymacvea is a local townland.)

See virtual memorial for more. PLUS see new section 'What's in your attic?' which examines some of the Great War memorabilia which may be hidden away in your loft.

Samuel Mawhinney, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds received on the Somme

Above: Thomas McMeekin (born Ballymena, enlisted Belfast) KIA 9th May, 1915 at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Included on the 'virtual memorial' - the picture was recently forwarded to this site.

Another face for the gallery - the man above is Rifleman Robert Connaughty from Garvaghy, Portglenone. He joined the army as a volunteer in November 1915, being posted to the 18th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles for training before being assigned to the 11th Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrims). He served with 'A' coy. of  that battalion on the first day of the Somme when he was almost buried alive by an exploding shell which killed several of his comrades. His army service records confirm he was amongst the wounded of 1st July and was diagnosed with 'shell shock' on 5th July 1916. He was again wounded in 1918.

My thanks to Mr. John Luke of Ballymena who gave me this scan of Mr. W. J. McNiece (sitting) , who lived at Queen Street, Ballymena. He is shown in his wartime uniform as a signaller with the 36th (Ulster) Divisional Signals Coy (Royal Engineers). He was the recipient of the Belgian Croix De Guerre and after the war became a leading member of the Old Comrades Association. He is mentioned on several occasions on the website 'weekly war' sections.

Another for the Memorial

Thanks to Marika Pirie of Canada, we are able to add another name to the long list of the Ballymena fallen.

She found Samuel Caulfield (see picture below) during her ongoing research into Canadian forces 1914-18

Marika has confirmed that Samuel's birthplace was Ballymena.

 

 

 

 

James McGall DCM from Portglenone

picture kindly passed on by John Burrell, a member of the Great War Forum.

See 'Virtual Memorial' for more details and Weekly War for newspaper items.

Above: Rfn David Wright of Laymore, Ballymena. KIA at the Battle of Cambrai.

Thanks to Allie Wright for this excellent picture of his ancestor.

He seems to be 12th Royal Irish Rifles Transport Column - note bandolier and spurs.

Rfn. Samuel Herbison of Ballymoney Street, Ballymena.

Wounded in action 1st July 1916. Thanks to Dr. Herbison for this picture.

And his brother, John, also of Ballymoney Street

 

Andrew Davison (seated right) of Gracehill 108th MG Coy. 36th Ulster Division.

KIA 1st July 1916. Any information about the other two soldiers greatly appreciated.

 

John Alexander McNiece, formerly of Duneane, Ballymena.

Died of wounds October 15, 1917. Otago Regiment NZEF.

Thanks to the McNiece family in Ballymena for this photograph.

 

Any further information about the soldier above appreciated.

 

Ronald Waterman, originally from Cullybackey.

He was killed on July 1 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

 

 

John Gillen ASC, from Donegal, driver of the Ballymena Observer Ambulance.

ABOVE : Joseph (in R Ir Rifles uniform) and James McAuley.

These men are believed to be brothers, perhaps from the Alfred Street area of Ballymena.

 

Further research being undertaken.