BALLYMENA 1914-1918

H - L

N. B. 'Commemorated' means that he is remembered in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Roll of Honour, 1914-19, on a tablet or plaque in the church named or that his name is on a family headstone in the churchyard. Place names may refer to an area, e. g. 'Cullybackey' often means 'from the Cullybackey area' rather that from the village itself.

HALE, Sarah Rachel Orr Hale, known as ‘Sadie’, was born at Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, on the 17 December 1885, the daughter of John F. and Matilda J. Hale. Her father John is described as a ‘Gas Manager’ on the birth registration document, which does not record Sadie’s forename, and it would seem he was manager of the plant on Bridge Street that produced and stored the town’s gas; her mother was Matilda Jane, nee Hamill, of William Street, Ballymena. Her father was a grocer on William Street and, most unusually, the couple, Episcopalians, were married by special licence at the family home. His father John was a farmer; son John was 49 and a widower and Matilda was 26.
In 1909 Sadie Hale, was employed by the Cunard Steamship Company as a typist on the transatlantic steamers, and between voyages she worked in the Cunard offices in Liverpool. In 1915, around the time when the Lusitania was sunk by the German submarine U-20 on 7 May 1915, Sadie Hale lived at Mildway House, Blackburne Place, Liverpool, England.
Sarah Rachel Orr Hale’s body was one of those recovered from the sea, but before it was positively identified it was given the reference number 127 in one of Queenstown’s makeshift mortuaries. However, following identification her corpse, it was sent to Belfast on 12 May 1915 and it was buried the next day in the family grave in the City Cemetery in Belfast. The family home at the time of her death was at Ierne, Cranmore Gardens, Belfast.
The Commonwealth War Grave Commission originally and mistakenly listed her as being missing at sea, so she is also commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London. The error was only corrected after 1996, as the letter below shows.

HALL, 68330 Private Francis, 1st Bn Wellington Regt. NZEF, was killed in action on the 4th November 1918. He was born on the 22nd January 1879 at Dowgry, Ballymena and he was the son of Andrew Hall and Lydia Wallace. His sister was Mrs S Crawford, Ballybogie (Ballybogy), Clough, Co Antrim; Elizabeth Hall married Samuel Crawford in Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian Church on the 18 July 1895. Francis is buried in Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Local records do not show a Francis Hall. Andrew Hall and Lydia Wallace had nine children: Rosetta (born 12 August 1867), William Wallace (born 2 March 1869), Elizabeth (born 9 August 1871), James (born 26 August 1873, later in USA), Andrew (born 1 March 1876), John (born 16 February 1878), Samuel (born 22 January 1880), Fannie sic (born 4 February 1882) and Annie (born 27 December 1884). Andrew Hall died on the 27 October 1886, Lydia on the 4 February 1890. Francis said he was born on the 22 January 1879 and it would appear that his name was incorrectly recorded as Samuel. Samuel Hall was a brother of Andrew Hall and was present at his death. See Ballymena New Zealanders.

Hamill Family Grave in Grange Presbyterian Church: Shepherd and Alexander are Listed

HAMILL, Alexander, 3736, Rifleman, 20th Royal Irish Rifles, died in the Military Hospital, Belfast of pneumonia on 21st April, 1916. He was the son of John Hamill and Nancy (Agnes) Nicholl, Grange Park, Taylorstown and brother of Shepherd (below). John, a weaver from Ardnaglass and Nancy from Grange Park, had married in Ballymena Register Office on the 16 January 1883. Alexander is buried in Grange Corner Presbyterian Church Cemetery and commemorated there. His brother Robert George Hamill served in Canadian forces - see relevant section.

HAMILL, 584 Rifleman Samuel George, 'B' Company, 13th Royal Irish Rifles, was wounded in action on the Somme on the 1st July and died of his wounds on the 6th July 1916 - he appears on the casualty list for the 1st as 584 G Hamill.

He was born on the 6 June 1893 at Coolsythe, Drummaul, and he was the son of Margaret Moore and William John Hamill. His birth registration document gives his name as Samuel Givens Hamill. The parents, farmer and widower William John of Aghaboy, Drummaul and Margaret of Caddy, Drummaul, had married on the 8 March 1890 in Drummaul Parish Church, Randalstown. They later lived Legland Street, Ligoniel, Belfast, and William John had died before his son's death. 584 George (sic) Hamill's will left his effects to his mother, Mrs Margaret Hamill, 29, Raleigh Street, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

Samuel G Hamill enlisted in Ballymena. He is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1.

HAMILL, 3795 Rifleman Shepherd (Sheppard on registration document), 11th Royal Irish Rifles, died of heart failure in the Military Hospital, Belfast on the 3rd September 1915. He was aged 19. He was the son of John and Nancy Hamill of Grange, Taylorstown, Toome. He is buried in Grange Corner Presbyterian Church Cemetery and commemorated there. His brother was Alexander Hamill, Royal Irish Rifles and another brother, Robert George Hamill, served in Canadian Forces - see relevant section.

HAMILL, Thomas, 19531, Rifleman, 9th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 1st July 1916. He was supposedly born in Ballymena and enlisted in Belfast, but this seems unlikely. The family were at English Street, Belfast in 1901 and 1911, and Thomas had been born at 22, Crane Close, Belfast on the 23 November 1885. His parents, Thomas Hamill, Knockcairn and Elizabeth Gillan (also Gillen), Tullynewbank, both townlands being near Crumlin, Co Antrim, had married in St Peter's RC Church, Belfast on the 9 August 1880. Thomas is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

HAMILTON, PLY/16877 Private Daniel, 1st Royal Marine Bn, Royal Naval Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed in action on 17th February 1917.

The '1st Royal Marines relieved the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the River Trench Sector, north of Grandcourt' on the 14th February and on the 16th the 'Battalion lined up for the attack ... objective sunken road ... including two strong points, that on the right being known as the Pimple. Post had to be established 50 yards beyond sunken road'. On the 17th the 'Advance commenced at 5.45am on barrage opening ... lines were subjected to heavy bombardment by 77mm at about 5am necessitating a call for retaliation from our artillery. Reports were received at 6.40am to effect that the Battalion had gained their objectives, and that the Pimple had been captured.' The newly acquired area was subjected to a strong counter-attack on the 18th, this being rapidly devastated by British artillery, and on the 19th the Battalion was able to be relieved, 'Companies moving independently to old German 2nd and 3rd lines ... 1500 yards SSE of Beaumont Hamel.'

Daniel Hamilton was killed during the attack on the 17th and he is buried in Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy. He had enlisted in Belfast on 13 August 1914.

He was a labourer and he was born in Galgorm Street, Ballymena on the 28 October 1894. The family were still there in 1901 but were living in Shankill, Belfast by 1911. His sister, Mrs. Maggie S. Quigg, lived 128 Sugarfield St., Belfast, later 28 Kendal St. Belfast. His brother was Mr. F.A. Hamilton. John Steen Hamilton, also his brother, was killed while serving with 3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry.

HAMILTON, 1293 Corporal James, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 10th August 1917. He was aged 20 years. He was born at Duneane near Randalstown and enlisted in Lisburn, and he was the son of John Hamilton of Ballymatoskerty, Toomebridge. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

The 11th Royal Irish Rifles arrived at Plum Farm east of Ypres on the 7th August 1917, nine days before the Battle of Langemarck, a phase of the Battle of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele). The area was already dangerous - Plum Farm actually being heavily shelled as they arrived. The enemy again ‘opened an intense bombardment’ on the evening of the 8th, shelled it again on the 9th,, obtaining ‘a direct hit’ on Plum Farm. That evening the War Diary recorded that there had been ‘steady fire all day by hostile heavies on line Square Farm-Plum Farm’, and there was renewed shelling of Plum Farm in the evening. Ironically though, the War Diary says that on the 10th, the day Hamilton was killed, that the ‘Battalion was relieved by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles’ and they ‘moved on relief to Uhlan Farm’ that evening, a safer area. It was, however, also noted that ‘the enemy shelled Uhlan Farm’ at 9.00pm on the 10th August.
No casualties were recorded on any of the above days and we do not know if Hamilton was killed in the trenches, during the relief or at Uhlan Farm that evening, but a document entitled ‘Narrative of Operations East of Ypres on the 16th August 1917’ gives interesting insight into the period.

The 11th Royal Irish Rifles were in ‘Reserve to the 108th Brigade’ on the 16th August, and the document says ‘the Battalion consisted of Battalion HQ and three Companies only, ‘C’ Company having lost so many men whilst holding the line from the 8th - 12th August that it could not muster a platoon. Sixteen Other Ranks were attached to ‘D’ Company.’ Many of the men had been lost in a gas attack on the 11th August, but it is interesting to note that the whole period, 8th to 12th August, was identified as being a difficult one.

HAMILTON, 10827 Rifleman John, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, formerly 6919 of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on the 10th August 1917. He was born on the 26 September 1882 at Pollee, Broughshane, and he was the son of Hill Hamilton and Mary Ann McCullough. Hill Hamilton, Aughacully, had married Mary Ann McCullough of Lower Broughshane in 1st Broughshane Presbyterian Church on the 25 September 1872. John enlisted in Glasgow.

The Battalion moved to the area of the Westhoek Ridge and on the 10th August 1917 took part in an operation to advance their line by 500 yards; this Battle of Westhoek was part of the Passchendaele campaign. It was supposed to happen earlier but rainy weather led to delays. They rushed the enemy, the War Diary for the 10th August stating: ‘Two strong-points (concrete dugouts at Westhoek) were rushed … and the enemy … taken completely unawares offered no resistance … pushed on to Jabber Support. Most of the enemy … made no attempt to fight and fled … they were caught by our barrage and annihilated.’ Thereafter 'the advance continued ... and ... consisted of mopping up enemy concrete dugouts of which there were many, but in no case did the enemy show any real fight'. There were counter-attacks but none posed a major threat and having reached their objective, the Black Line, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles consolidated the position. They were relieved on the night of the 11th-12th August.

John Hamilton is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

HAMILTON, 13655 Private John Stanley, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died of wounds on the 1st August 1916. He was 22 years old and had gone to France on the 5th October 1915.

He was born in Ballymena and enlisted at Finner Camp in Donegal. His aunt was Mrs. Ellen Whitelock, of Lake View Cottage, Caledon, Co. Tyrone and she had raised him in her household. He was a member of the local UVF and was recruited by his UVF instructor, Alexander Irwin, a former member of the Welsh Regiment who had himself just re-enlisted. He served as 2185 Sergeant Alexander Irwin, 9th Welsh Regiment until discharged unfit for further service [on the 28th July 1917 on his Medal Index Card. He said 11th July 1917] . Another man joined up on the same occasion as Hamilton, he being Henry Mehaffy.

HAMILTON, 9202, Private John Steen, died on the 8 October 1916 while serving with 'C' Company, 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was born on the 29th August 1892 at Galgorm Street, Ballymena and was the son of John Steen Hamilton, a hotel servant, and Margaret Hamilton (nee McCullough), Princes Street, Ballymena. See Ballymena Canadians for full details.

HAMILTON, S/7727 Private Robert, 12th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on the 19th September 1918 at Salonika. He was 26.

He fell in the Battle of Dojran (Lake Doiran), September 18-19th, 1918, the fourth such attack there in the war. Over the years the Bulgarians had heavily fortified the position and they had been aided considerably by the topography of ridges and peaks, this so particularly around the high points of Pip Ridge and the Grand Couronné. The losses amongst attackers were very great on the first day and the taking of first and second line trenches was short-lived. Almost immediately Bulgarian counter-attacks recovered all the lost ground, the much-battered Allies soon back where they started.

The disaster of the 18th September was repeated on the 19th September, this time involving many Scottish battalions. Moreover, owing to difficulties elsewhere, the Bulgarians abandoned the positions next day - it had all been a pointless slaughter.

Robert Hamilton was born on the 16 December 1891 at Lisnacrogher, Ballymena and he was the son on of John Hamilton and Martha Douglas, later of Alfred Street, Ballymena. The had been at Rathkenny in 1901 and at Carncoagh in 1911. Robert is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece and commemorated in Cloughwater Presbyterian Church.

HAMILTON, Thomas, Royal Irish Rifles, Kirkinriola, Cloughwater. Robert (above) and Thomas Hamilton are associated with Cloughwater Presbyterian Church and they were brothers, the sons of John Hamilton and Martha Douglas. Thomas was born Tullynewy/Tullynewey, Clough on the 27 April 1893. He probably was in the Royal Irish Rifles and died, as the church noted, but cannot be traced.

HANNA, 203905 Private James, 5/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), who died aged 37, was born at Carnlough, Co. Antrim on the 28th December 1881. He enlisted in Glasgow and was killed in action on the 14th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and on Larne War Memorial.
He was the eldest son of blacksmith William John Hanna (recorded as HANNAH) of Cariff, Glenarm and Margaret McGowan, soldier's daughter and born at Clough, Co Antrim. The couple had married in Larne's 1st Presbyterian Church on the 11th November 1878. They later lived at 38, Glynn Rd., Larne, Co. Antrim. James was the husband of Margaret Hanna, of 218, Watt St., South Side, Glasgow, and the couple had two children.
The 5th/6th Cameronians' diary, here abridged, gives an account of the action on the day of his death. It says, 'The Battalion having had breakfast moved from Henin sur Cojeul at 2.30 am and marched past St Martin sur Cojeul, through the Hindenburg Line and deployed into lines of sections facing approximately east on the high ground due east of St Martin sur Cojeul on the western side of the crest. … At 5.30 am as soon as the artillery opened fire, the leading line (C Coy & D Coy) advanced over the crest, immediately coming under artillery and machine gun fire. …
The enemy put up a weak barrage in rear of the two leading companies. The rear slopes of the hill … were swept by machine gun fire. … At 6.30 am a message was received … held up by machine gun fire, but hoped to push on. At 7.35 am it was possible to see the leading companies digging-in below the crest of the first objective. … The remains of the first two lines organised a position and held on to it for the remainder of the day. …
Arrangements were made … for a bombardment of the enemy’s position to begin at 12 noon. … ‘B’ coy … with two Platoons on the left of the position already held … to attempt to work forward. This operation failed … At 12.30 artillery fire was stopped. … Beyond covering the advanced line with artillery fire … no more could be done.
The Battalion was relieved by the 20th Royal Fusiliers at night and occupied support trenches. During the day the Battalion had made an advance of over 800 yards … The casualties were: 3 Officers killed, 39 Other Ranks killed, 5 Officers wounded, 155 Other Ranks wounded, 14 Other Ranks missing.'

Private John James Harbison, Royal Army Medical Corps & attached 3A Base General Hospital.

HARBISON, 23538 Private John James, Royal Army Medical Corps, died of cholera on the 14th July 1916. He was born 27 September 1878 at Cabragh, Ballymena and he was the son of John James Harbison and Jane McCrory. He had at one time lived at Sculcoates, Yorkshire, but he was by 1914 living in Winnipeg, Canada. He was the brother of Sam Harbison, Cabragh, Ballymena. He left Canada as part of a medical draft in March 1915, served for a time in a London hospital and then joined RMS Britannic, at that time a hospital ship and engaged in the transfer of wounded personnel from the Dardanelles. He was thereafter transferred to the 3A British General Hospital, Amara and died there. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq and commemorated in West Church Memorial and Kirkinriola Cemetery.

HARBISON, 17891 Lance Corporal James, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 3rd July 1916. He was born on the 19 April 1897 and was the son of blacksmith Robert Harbison and his wife Mary Ann Spence. Robert from Cullybackey had married Mary Ann Spence from Ballynafie/Balnafie in 3rd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 1 January 1892. In 1901 and 1911 they were living at Main Street, Cullybackey. James enlisted Glasgow and reportedly lived in Antrim by 1914. He is buried Connaught Cemetery, Somme and commemorated in the Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey.

HARDY, A/203741 Rifleman Louis, 1st Platoon, 'A' Company, 18th King's Royal Rifle Corps, formerly 5089 Argyll Sutherland & Highlanders & S/256843 Royal Army Service Corps, aged 29, died a POW on 28th June 1918. He is buried in Berlin SW Cemetery. There are no POW records for him but the cover that would have been with them says 'probably missing since March 1918'.

He was born Lewis Hardie (sic), son of Dennis (sic) and Elizabeth Hardy, Maboy, Craigs, Cullybackey on the 17th February 1890. The couple, blacksmith Denis (sic) Hardy, Ballylummin, Ahoghill and Eliza Mulholland, also Ballylummin, had married in Ahoghill RC Chapel on the 14 February 1884.

The family do not appear in the 1901 or 1911 census returns and were recorded by the CWGC as living at 114, North Hanover St., Glasgow.

HARKINS, 827597 Fireman John, Mercantile Marine Reserve, died – entry says ‘discharged dead’ - on H.M.S. Asteria, on the 29th September 1916 and aged 23. He was the son of Robert and Annie Harkins, of 150, Second Avenue, Clydebank, Glasgow. He was a native of Glenarm, Co. Antrim.

HARKNESS, Alexander: 29 years old Alexander Harkness, Ply/11869, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was the son of the late John and Mary J. Harkness, of Knockboy, Broughshane, Co. Antrim, and he was a native of Ballygarvey, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. The family had long left the Ballymena district by the time of WW1 and were associated with 95 Leopold Street, Belfast. Private Alexander Harkness was killed in action on the 13th May 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign, one of those lost when HMS Goliath was sunk.

HARKNESS, George 8252, Rifleman, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, died on the 3rd December 1914.

He was born in Ballymena and enlisted there. He is buried in Le Mans West Cemetery, Sarthe, France (The CWGC have 8252 Harkness listed as D Harkness. St. Matthew's Parish Church, Glenavy lists H Harkness as the casualty of December 1914, as does the press photograph attached. St. Matthew's Parish Church magazine says in a 1915 issue that Hugh Harkness, Pte, RIR, died December 4th at Stationary Hospital, Le Mons (sic), the result of a railway accident. No. 5 Stationary Hospital was at Le Mans from Sept. 1914 - Dec. 1914, hence burial in Le Mans West Cemetery. George is probably incorrect.). Hugh was the brother of Alexander who died. George probably served in the Royal Engineers and survived the war. If you can clarify the issue, please contact the site.

HARPER, 3252 Rifleman James, 15th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 1st July 1916. He was born at Mount Street, Ballymena on the 29 April 1892 and was the son of Thomas Harper and Rose Ann Linton. The couple, both from Carnlea, Ballymena, had married in Ballymena Register Office on the 14 January 1881. The family were at Springwell Street in 1901 and at Ballyloughan, Ballymena in 1911. The couple said they had had nine children by the latter date and five were then alive. They were John (Carnlea, 1881), Nathaniel (Monaghan, Ballymena, 1888), Robert (Mount Street,1890), James (Mount Street, 1892), and Jane Gordon (Ballyloughan, 1895). The remaining children, those who died, all have links to Ballymena. His sister, probably Jane Gordon Harper, was at Ticloy, Aughafatten at the time of his death.

A headstone in Ballymena New Cemetery on the Cushendall Road, reads as follows:

1926

Harper

In loving memory of Thomas, died 17-10-1926.

Also his wife Rose Anne, died 11-7-1929.

Also Margaret, died 18-10-1908.

Agnes, died 12-5-1909,

and Robert, died 5-6-1952

The dots indicate Plum Farm & Square Farm. Wieltje Farm, near the location of the Harris burial, is left of Wieltje village.

HARRIS, 18/720 (or 720) Rifleman Hugh, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds, presumably from shell shrapnel, on the 9th August 1917. The 11th Battalion War Diary for that date indicates the unit were near Wieltje, north east of Ypres, and the entry says:

'3.10 am - Enemy shelled Plum Farm obtaining a direct hit ...

8 am - Steady shell fire all day by hostile heavies on line Square Farm-Plum Farm ...

7.30 pm - Enemy again shelled Plum Farm'

He was born on the 13 November 1895 at Killyless, Craigs, Cullybackey, the son of Robert Harris and Margaret McCartney. Robert, widower and Scottish resident, and Margaret McCartney of Drumraw, Craigs, Cullybackey married in 3rd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 25 July 1891. Robert's first wife appears to have been Mary Smyth of Killyless. The couple had married in 3rd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 2 December 1880, but she died aged 28 on the 7 March 1886.

Hugh enlisted in Ballymena. He was their only son: the 1901 census records two daughters, Maggie (7) and Jane (10 - born Scotland). Hugh is buried in Wieltje Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. He is commemorated at Cullybackey UF Church, Cullybackey.

Left: HASLETT (MC), Lieutenant Thomas Sinclair, 10th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 22nd November 1917 during action at Cambrai. The 10th RIR diary says they were NE of Havrincourt, and that they 'moved up to Hindenburg Support in rear of 15th Royal Irish Rifles who were to clear the trenches north of Cambrai-Bapaume Road as far as the Canal du Nord ... progress was stopped by strongpoints'. It was here that Haslett was killed.

He was born at the 1st Ballymena Presbyterian manse on Castle Street on the 30 March 1897 and he was the son of the Rev. Thomas Haslett and Mary Edith Sinclair. The couple, Thomas originally from Co Monaghan, and his bride, a merchant's daughter from Belfast, had married at Howard Street, Belfast on the 11 June 1896. They were still at Castle Street in 1901 but were living at Brocklamont, Galgorm Road in 1911. Thomas Sinclair was the eldest of the five children they had had by 1911. He is commemorated on Cambrai Memorial and in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church. The church still has a communion cup that was presented by the parents as a memorial to their son.

Thomas Sinclair Haslett's MC award citation in the London Gazette (Issue 29837, 24th November 1916, page 11537) reads as follows: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a daring raid with great courage and skill, himself killing the enemy sentry and capturing three prisoners. He set a splendid example to his men.

HAUGHNEY, 22406 Private James, 8th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 20th May 1916. The unit War Diary says the 'Battalion moved up to the trenches and relieved ... 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment in Brigade Support Loos Section'. Between the 17th and the 21st May they occupied various trench sections in and around Loos village, notably Scots Alley. The diary states that during the period they had 1 other rank killed and 5 wounded; CWGC records two members of the 8th Battalion, plus one man attached thereto, who died.

He was born at George Street, Ballymena on the 20 December 1888 and was the son of Edward Haughney, a policeman born in Co Kilkenny, and his wife Mary Ann Molloy, Armagh. The couple had married in St Malachy's RC Church, Armagh on the 20 August 1877. Edward was a spirit merchant in Thomas Street, Armagh in 1901 and 1911. He and Mary Ann had had twelve children by 1911 and nine were then still alive. They later lived at 42 (CWGC & Press photograph say 46), Donnybrook Street, Belfast. Edward was an RIC police constable in Ballymena at the time of his son's birth.

James is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

HAUGHTON, Lieutenant Thomas Greenwood, was the son of Mr Thomas Wilfred Haughton J.P, a linen merchant, and Catherine Isabel Gillmor, and he had been born at Malone Road, Belfast on the 2 June 1891. He was educated at Edgbaston Preparatory School, Birmingham, and St. Edmund’s School, Oxford before becoming a director in the firm of Messrs. Frazer and Haughton, Hillmount, Cullybackey. He was active in the pre-war anti-Home Rule movement and was the commander of 'E' Company, 1st Bn. North Antrim Regiment of the U.V.F. On the outbreak of war he got his commission in the 12th Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrims) and went to the front in October 1915. Many of the local UVF, some of them his own employees, went with him to war. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the 1 July 1916, and on the on the 16th July 1916 a memorial service in his memory was held in the Craigs Parish Church. Later a brass mural tablet and a brass book rest was presented to the Craigs Parish Church, the place where the family worshipped. The inscription reads:
To the glory of God, and in memory of Thomas Greenwood Haughton, Lieutenant, 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action July 1st, 1916, near Thiepval, in the battle of the Somme, France, aged 25 years. When killed he was leading his men in a most gallant manner towards the German trenches. This tablet is erected by the employees in Hillmount Bleach Green.
He is buried in Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, Somme, France.

Thomas Greenwood Haughton (Above and Below - First photograph courtesy of Our Heroes, South Dublin Libraries)

HEFFRON (sometimes recorded as Hefferan, Heffron & Haveron), 3812 Private Patrick, 5th Connaught Rangers, was killed in action on 22nd August 1915. He was said to be born in Ballymena. He died during the Dardanelles Campaign in Turkey and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
English researchers give the following details relating to him. They state that the Liverpool Echo of Wednesday, 13th October 1915 has an article entitled "OLD XAVIERIAN KILLED", a photo of a "PTE. P. J. HEFFRON" and this text: "The family of Pte. P. J. Heffron, Connaught Rangers, who reside at 2 College St. East, Liverpool, have received news of his death in action, about August 16, in the Dardanelles. He was educated at St. Francis' Xavier's school, and was an employee in the telephone department of the Liverpool Post Office. He was in his 22nd year." They further say that edition of Monday, 27 August 1917 states: "HEFFRON - In loving remembrance of Patrick Joseph Heffron killed in action at Gallipoli, 1915. R.I.P. (On whose soul, sweet Jesus, have mercy.) - 54, Cecil Street, Wavertree."
The same newspaper in its edition of Friday, 6 December 1918 has the following notice: "HEFFRON - December 2, after long suffering, MARY A, the beloved wife of the late Patrick Heffron of 6 High Street, Wavertree (late of Greenside). (Sadly mourned by her loving Children, Sisters, Brothers, and Relatives.) R.I.P. Interment at Ford Cemetery on Monday next."
The 1901 England census has a 42-year-old Patrick Heffron living in Liverpool: he is a blacksmith, born Ireland, and living with his 39-year-old wife Mary A., the manageress of a public house; she was said to be born Liverpool, Lancashire. With them is 8-year-old son Patrick J., also born Liverpool, Lancashire, 5-year-old daughter Mary A., 4-year-old daughter Agnes, 2-year-old son John. Also, a 42-year-old Charlotte Reardon, described as a sister and a widow. The researchers say that the 1911 England census shows the same family still in Liverpool, the main differences being that Patrick Heffron (Senior) is described as "living in Ireland". He and Mary Ann are stated as having been married 18 years, and son Patrick J. is then a sea-going steward (stated as born in Liverpool, Lancashire). Other siblings are there, and the household now has two women described as sisters, Mary C Riordan and Honora (middle letter illegible) Kelly, both born in Liverpool, Lancashire. The address is 27 Greenside, Liverpool.

The conclusion has to be that the Ballymena connection is dubious.

HEGGARTY, DM2/22849 Private Thomas Joseph Aloysius, 596th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, died of malaria aged 34 on the 6 July 1919 and is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. He was born on the 7 June 1885 at Duneane, Toomebridge, the son of John Heggarty of Ballymena and Sarah Jane Campbell, Toomebridge. The couple had married in Moneyglass RC Chapel on the 28 January 1879. They were at Larne in 1901 and 1911 and were later associated with Clonlee Villa, Larne. Thomas's father was a contractor and the local JP. Thomas named on the Larne War Memorial.

HENRY, 17794 Rifleman Hugh, 17794, 'C' Coy., 13th Royal Irish Rifles, died of a cerebral haemorrage in the hospital at Victoria Barracks, Belfast on the 22nd July 1916.

He was born on the 12 February 1872 at 2.10am in Limnaharry, Ahoghill; his twin brother John had been born at 1.30 am. He was the son of Robert Henry and Ellen Torbitt. He lived in Ballyclare and was the husband of widow Agnes O'Neill, formerly Nelson. The couple had married in Woodburn Presbyterian Church on the 20 May 1902. He enlisted in Ballyclare and his wife lived at Lee, Ballyclare at the time of his death. He is buried in Ballyclare New Cemetery.

HENRY, 30697 Private Patrick, 7/8th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 9th October 1917. The Battalion kept a poor diary and there is no entry for the 9th October 1917. It records only that 'enemy trench mortars were extremely active on out right company trench' on the 8th October, and that they were 'relieved ... and moved to Enniskilling Camp, Ervillers' (Ervillers is north of Bapaume) on the 10th October.

He was born on the 10 March 1891 at Drumderg, near Toome. He was the son of James Henry and Mary Mulholland, the couple having married in Magherafelt RC Chapel on the 11 November 1884. Both indicated they were from Cranfield, Randalstown. James and Mary Henry, Brecart, Toome, had the following children by 1901: Sarah Henry (born 30th January 1887, Randalstown), James Henry (born 1st September 1888, Toome), Patrick Henry (born 10th March 1891, Toome), Mary Henry (born 3rd June 1893, Toome), Annie Henry (born 1st August 1895, Toome), Lizzie Henry (born 16th September 1897, Toome), Bridget Henry (born 27th January 1900, Toome), Rose Henry (born 21st February 1902, Toome), Catherine Henry (born 6th September 1904, died 29th August 1907, Toome), Bernard Henry (born 18th March 1908, Toome). They, listed as Henery, were at Cloghogue, Duneane in 1911 and Patrick's name does not appear on the census listing. He would have been 20 years old and probably already in Scotland - he enlisted in Dumbarton. His will of 1917 indicates that his possessions should go to his mother at Moneyglass, Toomebridge.

HENRY, 8779 Lance Corporal Thomas, 1st Royal Irish Rifles. The Ballymena Observer reported on the 23 July 23 1915 that, 'Lance Corporal Thomas Henry, Glenhugh Road, Ahoghill of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, has been reported missing since 11th March 1915. Intimation to this effect was received by his mother, who will be glad to receive any news concerning his whereabouts from any the Irish Riflemen at the front. Lance Corporal Henry who is only 22 years of age was in the special reserve and was called up at the outbreak of war. He had been at the front since August last year.'

There are two Thomas Henrys born in Ahoghill in 1893, one at Carmacmoin, the other at Lismurnaghan. The latter townland is close to the Glenhugh Road and seems the most likely option. This was born on the 30 September 1893 at Lismurnaghan, the son of Sarah Henry. The family was still in Ahoghill village in 1901 and elements of it are recorded there in 1911, though not Thomas.

The CWGC gives the date of Thomas's death as 10th March 1915, the first day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. 1st Royal Irish Rifles moved to support trenches east of Tilleloy Road and then took over the front line as soon as the 2nd Lincolns, one of the attacking battalions in the first wave, left their trench. They immediately left it again to attack the 2nd objective. They ran into heavy machine gun fire and, though successful and able to consolidate a trench line beyond Neuve Chapelle chateau, 'there were many casualties'. They held it until relieved in the morning at 9.00am. Some 217 officers and men killed, wounded or missing of the 22 officers and 850 men who had gone into action.

Thomas Henry had enlisted in Glasgow and lived at Moneyglass, perhaps in that Moneyglass area owing to his work. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Right: HERBISON, 19026 Serjeant Robert, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action in trenches SW of Messines on the 27th August 1916, 'an unusually quiet day', though machine guns were 'much more active last night ... there was no TM (trench mortar) fire today'.

He was born on the 5 July 1892 at Clonavon, Ballymena and he enlisted in Ballymena. He was the son of Robert Herbison and Maria McCloy, the couple living at North Street, Ballymena in 1901. On that date the family recorded children Mary (14), James (12), Robert (7) and John (5). Mary, James and John were his named beneficiaries. He is buried at Ration Farm Cemetery Annexe, Ploegsteert, Belgium. He is commemorated in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church

HIGHFIELD, Thomas, 11540, Corporal, 'C' Coy. 6th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 9th August 1915 at the Dardanelles. The 32 year old was the son of John and Sarah Highfield, Lawton, Stoke on Trent and he was house steward for the late Lord Antrim, Glenarm, Co Antrim.

He is remembered in St. Patrick's Church of Ireland (Tickmacrevan), Glenarm on a brass adjacent to the choir, of which he was a member. He is also remembered in All Hallows Church, Gedling, Notts, and commemorated on the memorial of Arthur and Edith Lea in St John's churchyard Alsager Bank, Staffordshire. His name also appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Rifleman Thomas Highfield, 6th Royal Irish Rifles

photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

HILL, 65453 Gunner Alexander, HQ staff, 93 Bde. Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on 16th March 1916. The unit diary for the 16th March 1916 reads as follows: 'Weather fine. 2 killed, 3 wounded D/93 1 wounded C/93 at Elverdinghe'. Elverdinghe is NW of Ypres.

He was born on the 24 April 1897 at Doagh, Doagh Grange, the son of shoemaker John and his wife Sarah Mullan. They had married Kilbride Presbyterian Church on the 6 June 1890. Alexander enlisted in Glasgow. The 1911 census shows them in Doagh and they were said by the CWGC to live at Kilbride Road, Doagh. He is buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium and commemorated in Kilbride Presbyterian Church.

HILL, Daniel Coulter, 234835, Private, 52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.), was killed in action on the 22nd August 1917, just three months after he joined his unit in France. He was born on the 11 May 1878 and he was the one of the nine children of farmer John Hill, Killans, Rasharkin and his wife Mary Adams. He visited them at Killans in February 1917. He was the husband of Jane Hill of MacDowall, Saskatchewan, Canada. He had served in the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War before he emigrated to Canada. He enlisted in the Canadian Infantry at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on the 25th April 1916. He is buried in Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension in France.

HILL, 9877 Rifleman Matthew John, 7th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 8th August 1917. 7th RIR had moved into the front line north east of Ypres on the 7th August and they were deployed in the area of the Frezenberg Redoubt and the Roulers-Ypres Railway. The 8th August was a day of 'intermittent shelling' but 'Headquarters were hit and all runners and observers were killed or wounded.' There is no mention of other casualties.

He was born on the 14 March 1896 in Broughshane, the son of Matthew Hill and Elizabeth (Lizzie) McGrath of Broughshane. The couple had married in 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church on the 19 July 1887. He was from Kinbally, Broughshane, his bride from the village. Widower Matthew, 51 and a flax dresser, said in 1911 that he and his late wife had had seven children and that all were alive at the time of the 1911 census; Lizzie had died on 18 January 1905. Matthew John was a blacksmith in 1911. He is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and in 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church.

Left: HODGES, Henry Burden, Second Lieutenant, 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 18th April 1915. He was born on the 13 November 1895 at Galwally, Belfast was the youngest son of government analyst John Frederick William Hodges, JP, and his wife Mary Burden. The family home was later Glenravel House, Glenravel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Henry Burden Hodges had attended Sherbourne Public School in Dorset and was a noted athelete; in his last year at school he was the public school boxing champion (lightweight). He played 'football' for the 1st XV (rugby), was a fine golfer, swimmer and lifesaver. He had only been at the front for about five weeks when he was killed near Hill 60.

His brother was Captain J F Hodges, MC, 2 Royal Irish Fusiliers; he had been wounded at St. Eloi but survived the war. H B Hodges is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate) and on the family headstone in Ballymena New Cemetery, Cushendall Road, Ballymena.

Captain J F Hodges, MC, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers

J F Hodges went to the front in December, 1914, from India, where he had been with his regiment for two years prior to the outbreak of war. He was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches and awarded the Military Cross.

Photograph courtesy of Our Heroes, Irish Life, South Dublin Libraries (D Moore) - http://ourheroes.southdublinlibraries.ie/

Right: HOLMES (MM), Arthur, A/21026, Private , 16th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.) was killed in action on the 30th April 1917. He was the second son of David Holmes and Jane Fleck, married in St Patrick's Church on the 13 March 1884, later of Hugomont Villas, Ballymena. They were at Crebilly in 1901 and at Moat Road in 1911. Arthur was the elder brother of David. He is buried Orchard Dump Cemetery, Vimy Ridge. He is commemorated on the family headstone in Ballymena New Cemetery, Cushendall Road, Ballymena.

Private Holmes, a farm labourer born on the 4 April 1889 at Broughshane, began a new life in Canada just before the war. On April 9, 1917, during the famous attack at Vimy Ridge, Arthur won the Military Medal while serving as a company stretcher bearer. The particular act of bravery which brought the award was described as follows:

This man went forward as a company stretcher bearer. He displayed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in dressing wounded men under shell fire. This work was so remarkably done that the most serious cases did not require a second dressing at the aid post.

Just a few days after his exploits, Arthur Holmes was killed in action whilst tending more wounded men.

The Holmes family later received a letter from Captain J. P. S. Cathcart, Medical Officer to the unit. It stated:

Dear Mr. Holmes,

you have no doubt before this received notice of your son Arthur's death. He was killed during the operations of April 28th while at his duty tending to the wounded. We had his body removed and buried along with some of his comrades in the left of a small village. His grave is marked and I think as soon as they receive the particulars the Record Office will inform you of the map location ...

Arthur was without doubt the best boy in my medical section. It may be of interest to you to know that he was recommended for a decoration for his wonderful work under heavy fire in the battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9th. Unfortunately he was killed before he received it. We all feel his loss keenly and I myself feel as if his position cannot be filled. I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavement and also that of my section.

A letter from a soldier friend stated that Private Holmes had been killed in action by shell fire.

We did all we could for him but he only lived a few minutes. It is very sad news but it is my duty to inform you of his death. We all feel the loss of him very much and God help you to bear the sad news.

He had been previously wounded and on three occasions had been buried by shells. His last leave was spent at home 12 months before his death. His brother Private David Holmes was also killed on active service at the front with the Ulster Division - see below.

Holmes Family Grave, Ballymena New Cemetery, Cushendall Road.

Trenches in Area where David Holmes Died

Salvo Farm is on the right. Brigade HQ on top left.

Left: HOLMES, David, 167, Lance Corporal, 1st Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 20th July 1918. His unit was in the line (Kopje Farm, Benedict Farm, Salvo Farm & Punkah Farm) north of Meteren, their Brigade HQ at Kopje Farm. Meteren had recently been captured by units to the right of the 1st RIR, and the 1st RIR were much engaged in patrolling. The entry in the War Diary for the 20th July merely states '3 other ranks killed, 2 died from wounds, 1 wounded & missing (believed killed) and 13 other ranks wounded.' There is no cause of death given.

He was born on the 28 March 1897 and was the son of gardener David Holmes and Jane Fleck, later of Hugomont Villas, Ballymena, and brother of Arthur (above). He is buried in Bertenacre Military Cemetery, Fletre, Nord, France. He is commemorated on the family headstone in Ballymena New Cemetery, Cushendall Road, Ballymena.

HOUSTON, 7378 Private Leslie, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died of wounds on 31st October 1914 - his unit had been much in action around Armentieres, Ploegsteert and Messines. He was born on the 13 November 1884 in Ahoghill and was the son of shoemaker John Houston and his wife Mary Elliott. The couple had married at the Registrar's Office in Ballymena on the 6 January 1876. Leslie, named after his grandfather, lived at Salisbury Square in 1901 and at nearby Henry Street in 1911. He, then of Alfred Street, Harryville, married Lizzie McFall, Patrick Place, Harryville on the 16 June 1906, and the 1911 shows he and Eliza had two children, Annie and Mary.

He was a noted footballer and his brother Johnny played for Everton. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. He is commemorated in 1st Ahoghill Presbyterian Church and in Harryville Presbyterian Church.

Right: HOUSTON, 28883 Private David, 2nd Canterbury Bn., New Zealand Expeditionary Force, was killed in action on the 29th March 1917 near Messines. He was a farmer, the son of farmer Thomas Houston, Carmacmoin, Ahoghill and Sarah Jane Nelson, Tully. The couple had married in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church on the 29 March 1886. David had worked and lived at Hinds and is commemorated in Cambridge, NZ. He embarked with the 18th Reinforcements aboard Tofua on the 11th October 1916 and he gave as his next of kin his brother, W(illiam) Houston, Rotoorangi, Cambridge, NZ. He is buried in Berkshire Cemetery Extension, Ploegsteert, Belgium. He is commemorated in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church.

Left: HOUSTON (sometimes Huston), P/5516, Joseph, Acting Lance Corporal, Mounted Branch, Corps Military Police, formerly 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, died on active service in Germany of pneumonia on the 14th February 1919. His birthplace cannot be identified with certainty but he appears to have been born on the 20 January 1881 at Duneany, Glarryford and to have been the son of John Huston and Martha Ann Rea. He had married Annie Patterson of Ballymena in 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church on the 20 May 1908 and was living with his Patterson in-laws in Ballymena in 1911. Joseph and Annie then had two girls, Annie and Sarah. His wife later lived at Fountain Place, Ballymena. He is commemorated in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church.

Houston was physically powerful and 6' 2" tall and he was a professional soldier. He had served for some fourteen years in the 4th Royal Irish Dagoon Guards and had participated in the Boer War, receiving two medals to recognise his service. Indeed, he had spent some time as a Boer prisoner after being captured at Bloemfontein.

He returned to Ballymena after the war and was employed at one time as the caretaker and commissionaire of the Ballymena Picture House on Mill Street.

The outbreak of the war in August 1914 saw him offer his services to his country, even though his time in the reserve forces had expired. He went to Tidworth, Salisbury Plain and rejoined the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and then, possibly because of his age, he was posted to Mounted Branch, Corps of Military Police. He was to spend almost the entire war in France, save for a short furlough in Ballymena. He was after November 1918 part of the forces occuping Germany, and it was in Germany that he died, a victim of the 'Spanish flu' epidemic. He is buried in Cologne.

HOUSTON, 19563 Rifleman William, 'C' Coy. 11th Royal Irish Rifles, died as a POW on the 5th August 1917. His German records reads as follows: 'Sold. Royal Irish Rifles. 11Btl. C Komp. - verst 5.8.17 - Gemeld. v. d. Kmdtr d. Gef. Lag.1 zu Munster/w. nahere angaben fehlen' (Rough translation - 'Private, Royal Irish Rifles, 11th Battalion, 'C' Company, died 5/8/1917 - Death notified by the Command POW Camp 1, Munster. No further details'

He was the son of Stewart and Agnes Houston, Feehogue, Randalstown and had been born at Taylorstown, Grange on the 10 July 1894. Farmer Stewart Huston (sic) had married Agnes Fletcher, Clonkeen in Grange Presbyterian Church on the 11 July 1884. The couple had had nine children by 1911 and seven were alive at the time of the census. Stewart was then a linen factory worker and the family lived at Feehogue, Randalstown. William is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.

Photograph from Ballymena Observer, June 1916 & courtesy Nigel Henderson

HUMPHREYS, 1478 Private Denis, was wounded in action while serving with the 8th Royal Irish Rifles and died in No 6 Stationary Hospital, Le Havre on the 24 March 1916. He born on the 16 July 1896 and came from Layde, Cushendall, the son of Duncan Humphreys and Jane McLarty or McClarty, farmers of Layde. He was the brother of Canadian soldier 413050 Private John Humphreys, who was killed on the 12 May 1916. See Ballymena Canadians

Right: HUGHES (MM), 2727 Private James, 6th Connaught Rangers, was killed on 21st March 1918. He was the son of the late Michael Hughes and Mary Rock (sometimes recorded as Rocks). Michael, a clerk, of 1, Crumlin Street, Belfast had married Mary Rock, 5, Craig Street, Belfast in St Peter's RC Church on the 26 August 1891. The couple had at least five children together and in 1911 they were Ellen (Nellie - born 5 June 1892 at Cypress Street, Belfast), James (born 13 November 1893 at 35, Conliffe Street, Dublin), Bridget (born 16 October 1895 at Ballymoney Street, Belfast), Mary (born 21 May 1899 at Dungloe, Donegal) and Mary Theresa (born 4 May 1901 at Dungloe, Donegal). Mary Hughes died and widower Michael Hughes married Bridget O'Donnell in St Peter's RC Church, Dungloe on the 20 September 1905. The couple were living at 7, Suffolk Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim by 1911, and all Michael's children lived with them. James is buried in Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers Faucon, France.

HUNTER, 776 Lance Corporal Robert Alexander, 8 Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 2 July 1916 on the Somme.

He was born on the 29 August 1897 at Cross, Ballyclug, Ballymena and was the son of Edward Hunter and Maggie Marshall, both from Burnside. The couple had married on 18 April 1881 in Muckamore Presbyterian Church.

IRELAND, 295561 Private George, 12th Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 19th August 1918.

He was born at Loughconnelly, Broughshane on the 2 July 1894, the son of John Ireland, Loughconnelly and Mary Ann Purdy, Brecagh (sic Bresaugh). The couple married in 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church on the 9 February 1884. The family were later at Netherburn, Lanarkshire. George is buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, France.

Left: IRELAND, 17923 Lance Corporal George, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, a former member of the Larne UVF, was killed in action on the 1st July 1916. He was the third son of James Ireland, Ballygarvey, and Sarah Craig, Lower Broughshane. The couple had married in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church on the 12 January 1883 and had eight children together by 1911. All were then alive. George was born on the 9 May 1887 at Raceview, Broughshane and in 1901 and 1911 was at Ballygarvey, Ballymena. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme and 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian Church. His name is also on the Larne War Memorial because he lived there before the outbreak of the war.

His 30 year old brother, a carpenter by trade, was 237767 John Ireland of the Canadian Infantry. He lived at 5, Condor Ave, Toronto.

IRONS, John, Craneman, SS Garmoyle (Glasgow) died on the 10th July 1917 when his ship, a 1,229 ton defensively armed vessel, was torpedoed without warning by the U57 some 14 miles off Mine Head, near Waterford, S E Ireland. He was 67 and one of 20 men who died that day. This group includes the ship's master, 39 year old Hugh MacDonald, whose name appears on the Iona war memorial.

Irons was born in Ballymena, the son of the late Samuel and Agnes Irons, and married a local girl called Margaret Strain on the 29th January 1876, but John Irons had long left Ballymena by the time WW1 began. He was living at 7, Sheuchan Street, Stranraer in 1881 and was then a labourer. Some 10 years later he was a spirits salesman and was living at 107, Rose Street, Govan, Glasgow; by the turn of the century he was ships stoker and was living at 27, Caledonia Road, Govan, Glasgow. His last employer was the Clyde Shipping Company and it was on their ship that he died in 1917. The family then resided at 264, Thistle Street, Govan, Glasgow, and Mrs Irons appears to have remained there until her death at about 65 years on 23rd November 1918. Relatives now live in Australia.

U57 was built by A G Weser, Bremen (Werk 212). She was ordered in October 1914, laid down in August 1915 and launched in August 1916. Her captain at the time of the sinking of the SS Garmoyle was Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg. She survived the war and surrendered to the French in November 1918. She was scrapped at Cherbourg in 1921.

Right: JAMISON, 657 Rifleman David, 14th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 16th August 1917 at the start of the Battle of Langemarck. This was fought near Ypres and was a phase of the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).
Jamison's unit, part of the 36th Division's 109th Brigade, struggled to advance that day. They had to get across a marsh around the Steenbeek. This delay meant the infantry lost the protection of the barrage and machine-gun fire from Pond Farm and Border House forced them to take cover. An insight into the general situation is found in the 8pm summary in the War Diary. It says, ‘During the whole day the Bosche never ceased his bombardment of our line - we have had to shift our Headquarters … news came dribbling in that we were having heavy casualties and wanted reinforcing, but reinforcements could not be found’. Units did 'dig in' and held on as best they could but as the summary later noted 'the whole thing has been a miserable failure'. The report also said, 'our men did all that was asked of them'. The 14th were relieved on the 17th August and at that time believed they had suffered 10 officers killed, wounded or missing; 222 of the men were also killed, wounded or missing. They had advanced about 400 yards.

He was the son of Robert Jamison and Margaret Anderson, both from Bellaghy, near Glarryford, who had wed in 1st Killymurris Presbyterian Church on the 1 August 1888. David was born on the 6 January 1892 at Moylarg, Cullybackey. The family was at Moylarg in 1901 and at Greenvale Street, Ballymena in 1911. He is named on Tyne Cot Memorial and commemorated in Harryville Presbyterian Church.

JAMISON, 10/676 Private William Andrew, Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionery Force, was killed in action on the 8th August 1915 and is buried in Chunuk Bair (NZ) Cemetery, Gallipoli. He had embarked on the 16th October 1914. He was single, the 23 year old son of James (dec'd) Jamison and Matilda Hall, Ballealy, Randalstown. The couple had married in Drummaul Parish Church, Randalstown on the 15 November 1886. He gave his address on enlistment as Gordon Road, Toko, NZ. He is commemorated in Randalstown Old Congregation Presbyterian Church. See Ballymena New Zealanders.

JENKINS, 2020 Private James, 10/11th Highland Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 31st October 1916. He was said to be aged 19 and he had been born in Ballymena, as stated on the SNWM. He lived in Bellshill, Lanarkshire and his name appears on the Scottish Mining Website and on the Bellshill War Memorial featured thereon. He enlisted in Hamilton, Scotland and CWGC says he was the son of Mr J Jenkins, Calderwood Cottage, Bellshill. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.

JOHNSTON, 21527 Private David, 8th Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action at Loos on the 2nd June 1916. This was an active and very dangerous part of the line at that time, though on the day he died his unit had been relieved. The War Diary says the relief was 'completed about 1 am on the 2nd' and that 'Companies as relieved marched back to Mazingarbe to billets'. There is no mention of casualties in the text.

David Johnston was born on the 8 June 1897 at Clonetrace, Broughshane, and he was the son of Hugh Johnston, Clonetrace, and Maggie Armstrong, Pollee. The couple had married on the 23 August 1893 in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church. David lived at Mounthamilton, Cloughmills and he enlisted in Larne. This Larne enlistment may have been because he was underage at enlistment. He is buried St. Patrick's Cemetery, Loos, France. He is remembered in Ballyweaney Presbyterian Church, Cloughmills.

JOHNSTON, 40881 Rifleman Thomas, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, formerly 2186 of the North Irish Horse, was killed in action on the 24th March 1918. He was born on the 29 March 1896 at Ballynamaddy, Dundermot, Glarryford and was the son of William James Johnston and his wife Lizzie Stewart, both from Ballynamaddy. The couple had married in Killymurris Presbyterian Church on the 7 July 1891. In 1911 the family were farming at Ballyreagh, Clough and Thomas was woking as a agricultural labourer at Ballybogy, Clough. Thomas initially became 2186 Thomas Johnston, North Irish Horse, but later transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles. He was wounded at Third Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917 and was then killed in action at Cugny during the retreat that followed the launch of the German Spring Offensive. His unit was trapped and made a gallant 'last stand'.

An extract from Falls' book, First Seven Battalions, relates the events of that day:
About 10 a.m. on the 24th a new attack developed on the 2nd Battalion, the enemy making desperate efforts to debouch from Cugny, and also sweeping in on the flanks ... the attack was beaten off ... Captain J. C. Bryans now assumed command ... to reorganize the line ... a new attack began. Colonel McCarthy-O'Leary sent forward messengers with orders for the 2nd Battalion to withdraw through the 1st. No answer was received, runners being all killed or wounded. In any case, Captain Bryans had orders to fight to the last, and had, moreover, come to the conclusion that an attempt to retire over open ground, with machine guns on either flank, would mean annihilation. If his little force was to be destroyed it should die to better purpose. The attack, accompanied by a flight of low-flying aeroplanes, swept in in overwhelming strength from the left, and a desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued ... many men had not a round left to fire. They sprang from their entrenchments and met the enemy with their bayonets. In a few minutes all was over. The defenders were simply engulfed by superior numbers ... There cannot be many instances, even in the late war, of a battalion being blotted out so completely as this.

Rifleman Thomas Johnston is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme and at Clough Presbyterian Church.

Wedding of Alexander Johnston, father of 8166 Wm Johnston, and his bride Sarah Sproul (also Sproule)

JOHNSTON, 8166 Private William Robert, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, died of disease on the 11th December 1915. He was born in Ballymena on the 18th November 1884 and he enlisted in Belfast.

He was the son of the late Alexander and Sarah Johnston, Ballymena. The couple, from Aughnadore and Caugherty, Rocavan, Broughshane respectively, were married in an unspecified Presbyterian church.

I could not find a birth record for William initially but then found two relevant bits of information that let him be identified: a Canadian source named him as William Robert Johnston, and the headstone of William in Forceville Communal Cemetery, Somme says he was born in November (See Below). Moreover, as can be seen from the record below, the birth record names him as Robert, son of Alexander and Sarah, and it states he was born at James Street, Harryville, Ballymena. Why the name is so recorded is not known.

Alexander, a railway worker and his father, had died of dysentry on the 16th March 1891 at Gilmour (sometimer Gilmer) Street, Harryville, and the record of his death shows daughter Rose Anna Johnston at his bedside. She had been born at Ballymoney Street, Ballymena on the 7th November 1868.

8166 William Johnston is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery, Somme.

Grave Annotation, Forceville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France

Entry in Register at Forceville Communal Cemetery.

Left: KANE, 46355 Lance Corporal Joseph Edward Adams, 2nd Auckland Regiment, NZEF, was killed in action near Bapaume, France on the 30 August 1918. He was born on the 21 January 1889 at Galgorm Parks, Ballymena, and he was the contractor son of Elizabeth Kane, nee Adams, and the late James Kane, of Galgorm Parks, Ballymena, Co Antrim; NZ records record him as the son of Mrs E Kane, 14 New Bond Street, Kingsland, Auckland, NZ. He left NZ on the 26th April 1917 with the 25th Reinforcements Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company and travelled to Europe on the troopship Tofua. He is buried in Bancourt British Cemetery.

His brother Alexander Millar Kane was also killed. He was a plumber, and 16894, Private Alexander Millar KANE, 3 Bn. Canterbury Regiment, NZEF who was killed in action at Messines on 19th December 1917 and who is buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, was born on the 14 June 1895 at Frocess, Dundermot, Glarryford. His father James declared at the recording of his son's birth that he was originally from Ballyclare; his mother was Elizabeth Adams. He had left New Zealand on the 7 December 1916 with the 20th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company aboard the troopship Port Lyttelton. He is listed by the CWGC as the son of James & Elizabeth Adams Kane, Paerata, Auckland; NZ records show his mother as Mrs E Kane, 14 New Bond Street, Glenmore, Auckland, NZ. See Ballymena New Zealanders.

KEARNEY, 218553 (PO) Leading Boatswain Thomas Edwin, HM Coastguard and based at Raffney Head Station, was 35 when he died on the 1 January 1921. He is buried in Aberdeen (Trinity) Cemetery. He had been born on the 25 September 1885 at Agola, Cushendall, the son of RIC Sergeant William Kearney and Isabella Jane, nee Kearney, later of Old Park Avenue, Belfast. He was the husband of Lily Maud White. He married her at Listowel, Co Kerry on the 5 February 1920.

KEENAN, 250142 Private William, 58th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment), was killed in action on the 28th August 1918. He was just over 5' 6" tall and had grey blue eyes and fair hair. He was single and born 10 February 1896 at Craigs, Cullybackey, and he was the employee of a telephone company in Toronto. He was the son of James and Annie Keenan, 27 Robina Street, Toronto. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. See Ballymena Canadians.

KELLY, 996 Rifleman William, 8th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 11th July 1916. He was born in Ballymena and enlisted in Belfast. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

3794 Rifleman Alexander Kennedy, 11th Royal Irish Rifles

KENNEDY, 3794 Rifleman Alexander, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 8th August 1917. His unit had moved into the Wieltje area and taken 'over the 2nd line from the West Yorks'. They remained in the support role until on the 5 August they relieved the 15th Royal Irish Rifles in the front line. They were there until the 7th August and were themselves relieved in a 'bad relief' by the 9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers. They went into camp on the that day and did not return to the 2nd line a support role until the 12th August. The 8th, 9th and 10th August were days 'devoted to interior economy'. There is no mention of casualties at this time, though the diary does record that the trench tour, 2nd -7th August had cost them 7 officers and 167 other rank casualties, ie killed, wounded or missing. It is probable that Kennedy was killed in the 'bad relief' which took place at night on the 7th August and which did not see the men back in camp until 5.30 am on the 8th August.

He was born on the 9 April 1885 at Killane, Ahoghill, and he was the son of James Kennedy and Eliza Kelly. The family were at Cullybackey Road, Ahoghill, probably Buick Row. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church.

KENNEDY, 815 Rifleman Arthur, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 16th August 1917, the initial day of the Battle of Languemarck, part of the Battle of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele).

He was born on the 8 October 1890 and was the son of James Kennedy and Jane Reid, Broughdone, Craigs, Cullybackey. The couple had married in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church on the 28 April 1886.

Four of the brothers served in the Great War. Arthur's brother Robert James (see below) had been killed the previous year on 1 July 1916 on the Somme. George and Joseph survived the war. He is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial and in Cullybackey United Free Church.
The Rev. A. Gibson, Chaplain to the Forces, wrote to the family:

26/8/17

Dear Mr. Kennedy,

I am very sorry to tell you that your son Rifleman A. Kennedy, Royal Irish Rifles, has been reported missing since August 16th. Unless you may have heard from him or of him from some reliable source it must be concluded that he is either killed or a prisoner of war. Sincerely hope he is not killed and I feel for you because of the suspense and anxiety that will be yours for some time to come.

In six weeks to two months time we hope to hear who are prisoners and I can only ask you to have patience till then and bear up as bravely as you can.

Left: KENNEDY, Ferguson, 738, Rifleman, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 19th August 1916. A letter told his mother, Mrs Montgomery that, 'He was in the trenches with a working party when the Germans began to fire. A shell killed your boy and one other and wounded four others'.

The War Diary of the 16th Bn in part blames British troops for the death. It says, 'Without previous warning our artillery started bombardment, Bosche retaliated & killed two men' Others were wounded. 738 Ferguson Kennedy and 51 H Moorhead were the two 16th Bn men killed.

Aged 23, he was born in Ballymena and enlisted in Belfast. He was the son of Mary Ann Montgomery of Slatt, Ballymena. He is buried in Berks Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.
Ferguson Kennedy is an enigma. The 1911 census shows him as a 17-year-old living with his widowed mother Mary Ann Montgomery at Slatt, Ballymena, and the 1901 census records Ferguson Kenney, the d in his name omitted, as a 7-year-old at Slatt and living with his mother, widow Mary A Montgomery. They live in the household of 71-year-old Esther Nevin; Ferguson’s mother is her daughter. Daughter Hessie Nevin (25) also lived there. There were three named grandchildren: David Montgomery (11), William Steele (7), and Ferguson Kennedy, the last already noted.
Records show Mary Ann Nevin, Slatt, had married James Montgomery, Little Ballymena (near Ballyclare) on the 1 March 1886. The wedding took place in 3rd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church. He had obviously died relatively soon after the marriage.
Records, however, do not record the birth of Ferguson Kennedy. They do record on the 17 December 1893 the birth of Ferguson Nevin, son of Mary Ann Nevin, Slatt; no father is recorded. Ferguson Nevin had changed his name to Ferguson Kennedy by 1901. This may have been his natural father’s name.

KENNEDY, 9048 Private James, 1st Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), died on 3rd September 1916. He appears to have been born on the 8 October 1885 in Connor, and to have been the son of labourer James Kennedy and his wife Ellen McCloskey. Surfaceman (Road Maintenance) James Kennedy, Connor, married Ellen McCluskey (sic) in West Church, Ballymena on the 2 January 1883.

The unit War Diary does not shed light on how he died. The men marched from Molliens-au-Bois to Vacquerie and Domesmont before going into camp. They 'remained in billets' on the 3rd September.

He enlisted in Glasgow. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France. His brother was 11168 Samuel Kennedy - see below.

KENNEDY, 2829 Private Joseph, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 21st August 1915.

He was born on the 19 April 1896 at Lismurnaghan, Ahoghill and he was the son of shoemaker Watson Kennedy, Ahoghill and Isabella Houston, Carmacmoin, Ahoghill. The couple had married in Ahoghill Parish Church (St Colmanell's) on the 24 September 1880. Joseph enlisted in Belfast and CWGC records his mother as Isabella, 6 Disraeli Street, Belfast. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

KENNEDY, Peter, 1836U, Chief Stoker HMS Queen Mary, lost in the sinking of his ship at the Battle of Jutland. His wife Jane Kennedy, nee Jones, lived at Ritchie Street, Belfast. The couple had married in St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast on the 26 December 1903.

Peter Kennedy was born on the 7 July 1883 at Sloan's Court, Ballymena, the son of the late Frank Kennedy and his wife Jane McCart. They had married on the 16 April 1872 in 3rd Ballymena (Wellington Street) Presbyterian Church, and were of Larne Road area, (Alfred St. in 1901) Church, Belfast, and in Harryville Presbyterian Church.

Local press reported that Mrs. James (sic) Kennedy of Alfred Street, had three sons and a son-in-law serving with the colours. Stoker Peter Kennedy was on board HMS Queen Mary and Private William Kennedy was serving with the Royal Engineers. Her third son, Pte. James Kennedy of Galgorm Street, has joined the Ulster Division. Her son-in-law Private W. McIlroy, Alfred Street, was wounded at the front. See Weekly War

Left: KENNEDY, 630 Rifleman Robert James, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, brother of Arthur (above) died on the 1st July 1916 on the opening day of the Somme Offensive. He was born on the 27 October 1888 and was the son of James Kennedy and Jane Reid, Broughdone, Craigs, Cullybackey. The couple had married in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church on the 28 April 1886. His brothers George and Joseph also served and survived the war. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and in Cullybackey United Free Church.

KENNEDY, 11168 Private Samuel, 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), was killed in action on the 19th July 1917. He seems to have been born on the 8 July 1893 in Connor, Connor and was probably the son of labourer James Kennedy and his wife Ellen McCloskey. Surfaceman James Kennedy, Connor, married Ellen McCluskey (sic), Artnagullion (now Artnagullian) in West Church, Ballymena on the 2 January 1883. His brother Samuel Kennedy, born 10 September 1887, died on the 19 August 1889 at Kinnegalliagh, Glenwherry, Ballymena. He enlisted in Glasgow.

The unit were at St. Lawrence Camp on the 19th July 1917 and at 10 pm and the 'Battalion entrained at Brandhoek and marched to the line via Kruistraat and southern track, relieving 6th Cameron Highlanders in the front line. Relief complete at 3 am. Three casualties going in.' Two of these according to CWGC appear to have died, one being 31770 W Lennon, the other being 11168 S. Kennedy.

Samuel Kennedy is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. His brother was 9048 James Kennedy - see above.

KENNEY or KENNY, 9722 Private Hugh, 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was killed on action on 26th August 1914.
On 24th August 1914 the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders had ‘’A’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ Companies, with the machine gun on the extreme left, ... in the first line, in trenches dug with the entrenching implement, while ‘B’ Company was in Reserve.’ However, they were not directly involved in the fighting and joined the general retreat on the 25th August.
They were at Haussy when at 2 pm ‘the Brigade withdrew and marched off to Solesmes, covered by ‘A’ Company as rearguard.’ However, at 3.30 pm, they ‘marched from Solesmes to Le Cateau.’
At 9 am on the 26th August ‘heavy artillery fire was heard from the north. The Brigade was ordered to move east across the Le Cateau-Estrees Road in support of the 5th Division’, and at 11 am 2nd Argylls were told ‘to advance at once in support of the Suffolk and Manchester Regiments. … The direction of the advance was now NE and ‘C’ Company were ordered to halt on the south slope of the ridge overlooking Le Cateau on the forward slope of which the firing line was lying under shell fire. … as yet the men had not come under direct fire.’
At 12 Noon the German onslaught meant ‘the firing line retired on the Battalion. The ridge was covered by shell fire and a Field Battery on the Left was forced to abandon its guns. ‘C’ Company moved forward to the ridge and came under a fierce artillery fire, while ‘B’ Company in Support suffered almost as much from reverse and enfilade fire as from frontal fire. ‘A’ Company was deflected to the extreme left flank and moved rapidly forward over the ridge, only to come under a heavy rifle fire and machine gun fire at short range … ‘A’ Company was ordered back (in error) behind ‘D’ Company to reform.’ Col. Moulton-Barnett ordered ‘A’ Company forward again. However, most elements of the Battalion that did move forward to fight the Germans found ‘enemy shell fire dominated the ground and opened quickly and accurately on every visible target.’ An exception was the men of ‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies ‘lying amongst corn stooks on the forward slope’ These suffered ‘little loss and by … fire held the German infantry in an iron foundry, range 900 yards. Various attempted forward movements at longer range were also stopped.’
However, at 5 pm all ‘had to fall back south’ and the battalion, because of the unavoidable chaos, ‘was now split up into 3 parties.’ Two of the groups twice went forward under shell fire to engage and hold the advancing Germans, ‘the vastly superior forces opposed to them.’ The fighting retreat continued, as it did the next day and on many days thereafter, though Kenny was already dead, killed amidst the action of the 26th August.
Kenney was born on the 28 April 1886 and was the son of late Robert Kenny, Drumanaway, Randalstown and Jane McKenna, Groggan, Randalstown. The couple had married on the 1 October 1872 in Ballymena Register Office.
He is commemorated on La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial, France.

KERNOHAN (Kernaghan & CWGC Kernahan), 11661 Private David, 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died of wounds on the 4th May 1918. He was born on the 14 September 1880 at Craigs, Cullybackey. He was the son of Robert Kernohan and Mary Ann Kilpatrick, the couple, both from Craigs, Cullybackey, having married in Ballymena Register Office on the 2 September 1876. David married Elizabeth Laverty on the 25 June 1902 in 3rd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church and had moved to Scotland. He enlisted in Hamilton and he lived at 27, Hunthill Road, High Blantyre. He was killed, as stated on cover note with his will, in Syria and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

KERNOHAN, 263003 Private Robert, 5th Seaforth Highlanders, formerly '201023 Camerons', was killed in action on the 30th July 1917. His unit had moved from Poperinghe into the area SE of Pilckem to prepare for the Battle of Pilckem Ridge (31st July - 2nd August 1917).

On the 28th July ''A' Company & 3 Platoons of 'B' Company moved up to the line ... 'A' Company to front line, 'B' Company (3 Platoons) reserve line'. 'Battalion HQ, 'C' & 'D' Companies & No 7 Platoon of 'B' Company moved into lines to postions of assembly in accordance with orders' on the 30th. Kernohan, dependent on the Company in which he served, either lost his life in the front or reserve line before the men attacked at 3.50 am on the 31st July 1917.

He was aged 28 and the only son of widow Mary Ann Kernohan. His parent lived at Queen Street, Harryville in 1901 and 1911 (local press says 150, Queen Street at the time of his death), though he was born in Renfrew, Scotland, and Mary Ann Kernohan later lived at The Lodge, Magheramorne.

Robert, single and an employee of the Pearl Assurance Company, Scotland, had joined the army around June 1916 and had only been in Flanders for about six weeks before his death.

Robert is buried in No Man's Cot Cemetery, Boesinge, Ypres. He is commemorated in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church.

Image courtesy of N Henderson

KERR, 1271 or 18/1271 Lance Corporal David, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, died of illness in France on the 17th December 1916. He was born at Islandmagee on the 17 April 1890 and he was the son of mariner David Kerr and Mary Ann McCalmont, both of Islandmagee. The couple had married in 2nd Islandmagee Presbyterian Church on the 8 January 1875. He is buried in Wimereux Military Cemetery, France. 1271 David Kerr never, as some contemporary sources claim, lived in Ballymena, at least as far as is currently known.

There was a soldier called David Kerr living in Greenmont Terrace in 1901 and 1911 and he was wounded. The Ballymena Observer of August 24, 1917 reported, 'Information has been received by Mr. David Kerr, Greenmount Terrace, Ballymena, informing him that his son, Lance Corporal David Kerr, Royal Irish Rifles, has been reported seriously wounded in the head and shoulder. He has also had his right arm amputated in hospital'. The Ballymena Observer, 31 August 1917 said, 'Nursing staff have informed the family that Lance Corporal Kerr's left arm has been amputated'. He probably did not die and he certainly had not been killed in December 1916. He appears to have been the son of David Kerr, Springwell Street and Agnes McNeill, Alfred Street, who had married on the 25 December 1882 at St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballyclug.

452004 Kerr, Harry (Henry), 452004, Private, 58th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regt.) was killed in action on the 20th September 1916, though his fate was not immediately known. His father made available a photograph to local press, shown here courtesy of N Henderson, and requested information about his son who had 'been missing since the 21st September, 1916'.

Henry, usually known as Harry, was just over 5' 7" tall, had red hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion, and he worked as a tram conductor in Toronto befre enlisting on the outbreak of war.

He was born on the 14 October 1890 and was the son of Henry Kerr, Grubba, Craigs, Cullybackey and his wife Margaret Paul, Tullygrawley, Cullybackey. The couple had married in 1st Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 13 December 1889. They were living at Millquarter, Toome in 1901 and at Dunminning, Cullybackey in 1911.

452004 Henry Kerr is buried Courcelette British Cemetery, France and commemorated at Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey.

KERR, 19883 Private John, 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 23rd October 1915 at the Dardanelles. He was born on the 21 October 1889 at 11, Cultra Street, Belfast. His parents, Robert Kerr and his wife Alice Shiels, both aged 24 and of 46 and 2 Weaver Street respectively, had married in St Joseph's RC Church on the 30 October 1887. The family, involved in textile manufacture, were living at Patrick Place, Ballymena in 1901. They were back in Belfast and living at New Lodge Road, Belfast by 1911. John of 13 Bute Street, Belfast married Ellen Reilly in Holy Family RC Church on the 25 December 1913 and he gave their address in his will as 12 Mountcollyer Road, Belfast. This was her parent's address. At least two of his brothers, Robert and George, were also in forces. He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

Right: KERR, 276045 Private Isaac, 7th Royal Scots, was killed in action on the 19th April 1917. He was born on the 17 June 1890 at Skerry East, Newtowncrommelin and enlisted in Edinburgh. He was employed in coal mining at Westrigg Colliery, United Collieries Limited and was a piper in Blackridge Pipe Band. His parents were Alex and Sarah Kerr, later Skerry East, Newtowncrommelin. Alex of Ballytaggart, near Ballymoney, had married Sarah Mary Dobbin, Kilraghts, Ballymoney in 2nd Ballymoney Presbyterian Church on the 1 January 1883. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Israel. He is commemorated in Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian Church. Isaac was the brother of William (below) and they had both joined the 3/6th Battalion, Royal Scots but went to different battalions for active service.

Left: KERR, 352450 Private William John, 9th Royal Scots, was killed in action on the 21st April 1917. William John Kerr was born on the 8 May 1886 at Ballyweaney, Cloughmills, lived in Blackridge, Linlithgow, and enlisted in Edinburgh. He was employed in coal mining at Westrigg Colliery, United Collieries Limited and was a piper in the Blackridge Pipe Band. His parents were Alex and Sarah at Skerry East (see above). He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas De Calais, France and in Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian Church.

KIDD, J/7487 (Dev) Able Seaman Thomas, Royal Navy, died of pneumonia on the 24th October 1918. He s born on the 21 February 1894 and was the 24 year old son of William John Kidd, Creagh, Toome and Mary Jane Bellew, Toome or Toomebridge, Co Antrim. He is recorded living at Toome in 1901 and 1911.

KILLOUGH, George, 20989, Royal Irish Regiment (formerly 2363 North Irish Horse, later posted to the 6th Royal Irish Rifles, 10th Irish Division, and subsequently to the Royal Irish Regiment, May 1918), died of disease, either dysentry or pneumonia, in Palestine on the 24th October 1918. He was 27, born at Moneyleck, Rasharkin on the 24 July 1892, the son of Andrew Killough and Mary Jane Wilson. He was the husband of Annie Lavinia Killough, nee Wilson, of Granagh, Rasharkin; the couple had married in Killymurris Presbyterian Church on the 3rd April 1917. He is commemorated in Rasharkin Presbyterian Church and is buried in Deir-el-Belah War Cemetery, Israel.

S/3667 Private Charles Kilpatrick, 1st Seaforth Highlanders

KILPATRICK (or Kirkpatrick), S/3667 (MIC & Will & correct) or 3/3667 (SNWM & CWGC & incorrect), Private Charles, 1st Seaforth Highlanders, died of wounds on the 6th November 1917. He had been on active service from 8/7/1915.

He was born at Dreen, Cullybackey on the 12 February 1892 and the son of James Kilpatrick and Susanna(h) Bammer (Balmer on will), Dreen, Cullybackey. The couple, James (21) from Cardonaghy and Susanna (22) from the Dreen, had married in Ahoghill Parish Church (St. Colmanell's) on the 21 September 1878. The family were at Dreen in 1901 and they then listed seven children. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

KILPATRICK/later recorded as KIRKPATRICK, David, 12739, Lance Corporal, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died on the 20th October 1918.

He was born on the 4 March 1889 at Ballylummin, Ahoghill, the son of David Kilpatrick and Mary Agnes Winning. David of Ballylummin had married Mary Agnes Winning in 1st Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 16 November 1874. The family were at Riverside, Antrim in 1901 and at Greencastle Street, Belfast in 1911. At the latter date the couple said they had had twelve children and that nine were still alive. David enlisted and lived in Belfast, his parents on his CWGC record being at 72, Cosgrave Street, Belfast.

David Kirkpatrick was killed in intense fighting around the River Lys. The 19th October saw the 1st Battalion move forward to take four villages, Spriete, Desselghem, Dries and Spraate. They moved off at 23.30 'down the track ... where a bridge was constructed ... Though shell fire from on the west side ... was considerable, this position was reached without casualties.' However, when they moved into the 'forming up area' 'they came under very heavy MG fire and a most determined counter attack was launched against 'B' Company on the right. This attack was beaten off.'

'At 0200 as soon as our barrage opened the Battalion moved forward and in spite of very heavy MG fire from which the flat country gave absolutely no protection, Spriete and Dusselghem were taken'. A counter-attack was driven off and ''C' Company succeeded in taking Spraate in spite of determined resistance' Yet another counter-attack 'drove in our most advanced troops slightly, but 'C' and 'D' Companies again pushed forward and formed a line along the eastern outskirts of the village'. However, 'the enemy was still holding position of the left flank, Moatedem and the river bank ... an attack by 'D' Company from Spraate in conjunction with a party which advanced along the bank of the Lys captured this position'

Another counter-attack was beaten off, but the capture of Dries was problematic, 'A' Company coming 'under the most intense MG fire from the front and right flank' They had to withdraw somwhat as the Company 'lying in the open was losing heavily from this MG fire and ... shelling' . On their second attempt the men got into the village from the north side but could not take all of it as 'MG fire from the end houses and [elsewhere] was so intense that it was quite impossible to advance over the flat stretch of ground'. The Officer Commanding 'A' Company decided 'to hold ... his former line'.

By 0600 on the morning of the 20th October the Battalion after fighting all night considered that they had 'completed their task and opened a way for the 107th Brigade to cross the canal and advance in a SE direction. The 107th Brigade came up from the Lys [and the 1st Inniskillings remained in situ] 'as protection for the flank'. The French also advanced from NE of Oyghem and at 17.00 hours the 12th Royal Irish Rifles relieved the 1st Inniskillings. It was at this final stage, from midnight to the relief on the 20th October, that David Kirkpatrick had died.

He is buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium.

D Kirkpatrick's photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

KILPATRICK, 53433 (NA says 33433) Driver William Samuel, 76th Bty. Royal Field Artillery, died on the 31st July 1916. He had enlisted in Newcastle Upon Tyne and was the son of William Kilpatrick, born England, and Jane McKay, and they lived at Tullynahinion, Portglenone. The couple married on the 13 May 1885 in 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church. William said then that he was a miner and gave his address as Roxborough, Scotland; Jane was from Tullynahinnion, Portglenone. Son William is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq and ccommemorated in 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

Photograph courtesy of N Henderson

KING, James, 2894, Lance Corporal, 7th Gordon Highlanders, died on 8th June 1916. He was from Randalstown, Co. Antrim and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

The Larne Times, 19 August 1916, has the above photograph of 2894, Lance Corporal Jim King, Gordon Highlanders, who died on the 8th June 1916, and the caption says that he had prior to the Great War worked at Breda Nurseries and that he came from Randalstown. The Northern Whig of 24 July 1916, a Belfast newspaper, notes "Sergeant Jim Beaton and Corporal Jim King, killed, were formerly in the employment of Mr J. T. Lindsay, Breda Nursery. Deceased who were both serving in the Gordon Highlanders, enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war. Beaton was a native of Banchory, Scotland (2789 James Beaton, 1/7 Gordon Highlanders, was indeed killed on 6 July 1916 and he had been born in Banchory.) and King belonged to Randalstown."

The 1911 Irish census records James Beaton, gardener, aged 20 and born in Scotland and James King, a gardener and aged 18, born in County Antrim, living with two other gardeners in a cottage at Breda, Knockbreda, Ballybrogan, County Down. It would appear that James Beaton, probably senior gardener, enlisted in the 7th Gordon Highlanders and James King followed his example.

KING, James, 19046, Rifleman, 12th Royal Irish Rifles was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 on the Somme. He was reportedly born in Carnmoney but lived and enlisted in Ballymena. The 1901 census records the family at Carniny, Ballymena, and his father John died at Clonavon, Ballymena on the 21 December 1904. John King of Grange, Ballyscullion had married Rose Anne Erwin of Brocklamont, Ballymena in Ballymena Register Office on the 6 December 1875. James (27) of Carniny, Ballymena married Maggie Mitchell of Springwell Street in Ballymena Baptist Church on the 12 November 1910. The 1911 census recorded James (27) and Margaret (27) and his widowed mother Rose Ann at Ballyloughan, Ballymena. His wife was said at the time of his death to reside at 10 Springwell Street, Ballymena. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and 2nd Ballymena Presbyterian Church.

KIRKPATRICK, Leslie, 86799, Private, 5th Canadian Field Artillery, was killed in action on the 1st October 1918 and is buried in Bourlon Wood Cemetery. He was the son of Alexander Kirkpatrick and Martha Moody, both of Tullaghans, Rasharkin, who had married in Finvoy Presbyterian Church on the 11 March 1879. Leslie, born on the 14 June 1892 at Ballytunn, Finvoy, enlisted in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and had emigrated to Canada in 1911 where he worked as a clerk. The parents siad in 1911 that five children had been born of the marriage and four were alive at the time of the census. Another brother, allegedly John, lived in Canada, and another brother is listed as W. James (15) on the 1901 census.

Right: KIRKWOOD, 19049 Lance Corporal Robert, 'C' Coy. 12th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds at Southwark Military Hospital on the 21st March 1916.

He was born in Kells on the 12 July 1892 and was the son of blacksmith Nathaniel Kirkwood and Maggie Jane Bailey, Kells. The couple, Nathaniel from Ballycraigy and Margaret from Connor, had married in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church on the 27 January 1890. The family appear in the 1901 and 1911 census returns. They listed eight children in 1901 and Maggie Jane (41) was a widow in 1911; Nathaniel had died on the 24 December 1901 and aged 39 years. Robert is buried in Nunhead (All Saints) Cemetery and he is commemorated Connor Presbyterian Church.

KNOX, Frank, 19593 Rifleman Frank, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the Somme on the 1st July 1916 and is named on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of Eliza Jane Knox, Ballygrooby, Randalstown, though his will of 1915 said her address was c/o Mrs C French, New Street, Randalstown.

Left: KNOX, 12/641 Rifleman John, 'A' Coy. 12th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 8th April 1916, an ordinary day in the trenches around the future Somme battlefield. The War Diary for the 8th April says, ' 'B' & 'C' Companies & HQ, excluding QM Stores and Transport, moved into huts in Martinsart ... The evening was very quiet'. We do not know, of course, when Knox was wounded. We do know that Knox's ' 'A' Company left for Martinsart' on the 6th April, 'D' Company having gone the previous day.

The diary records ' heavy shelling along our front from Hamel to Auchonvillers' on the 6th, and elsewhere the diary refers to working parties. It may have been a combination of the two that killed Knox, though most of the period 1st-8th April was spent in training.

He was born on the 14 September 1893 at Ballymoney Street, Ballymena and he enlisted in Belfast. He was the son of Hugh Knox and Jane Thompson of 19 Greenvale Street, Ballymena. The couple, Hugh, 24 and from Belfast, had married Jane Thompson, 21 and from Drumack, Rasharkin, in Buckna Presbyterian Church on the 14 April 1876.

John Knox is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. He is commemorated in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church. He also appears on the family headstone in Ballymena New Cemetery, Cushendall Road, Ballymena.

Right: LAMONT, 2nd Lieutenant John, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers, was killed in action on the 12th May 1916.

He was born at Skerry West, Newtowncrommelin on the 28 December 1890 and was the son of John Lamont and Lillie Ann Stewart, Skerry West, Newtowncrommelin. The couple, both from Skerry West, had married in Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian Church on the 13 October 1880. He is buried Vermelles Military Cemetery, France. He is commemorated in Clough Cemetery.

LATIMER, 13011 Company Sergeant Major James, 15th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 21st March 1918, one of those who perished on the first day of the German Spring Offensive.

He was born on the 1 February 1886 at Clonavon Street, Ballymena, and he was the son of William Latimer and Eliza Gracey. William (23) and from Mark's Place, Monaghan Street, Newry, Co Down, had married 28 year old Eliza Gracey, then living at Mrs Corry's, Bellmont, in Newry Parish Church on the 2 November 1875 - his name is recorded as Lattimore.

The family later moved to Ballymena and then Belfast and are recorded living at Isabella Street in 1901 and 1911. James had enlisted in Belfast, and Serjeant James Latimer, 15th Royal Irish Rifles, Ballykinlar Camp, Co Down, married Agnes Hayes of 11 New North Queen Street, Belfast in Lynn Memorial Methodist Church, Oldpark Road, Belfast on the 19 May 1915. It was to her at the New North Queen Street address that he left his effects in his will of 15th July 1916.

Photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

LAVERTY, Alexander, 410343, Private, 38th Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regt.), born 1 November 1890 at Craigs, Cullybackey, died of wounds on the 22nd December 1916. He was the son of Arthur Laverty from Cardonaghy and Elizabeth Marrs of Drumrankin, Cullybackey. The couple later lived at Hillmount, Craigs, Cullybackey. The pair had married on the 7 July 1883 in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church. He worked as a carpenter in Canada and his wife Bessie lived at 478, Logan Avenue, Toronto. An early will left his effects to Mrs He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen and commemorated in Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey.

Left: LAVERTY, Arthur, 19470, Private, 11th (S) Highland Light Infantry, born 6 August 1894 and the son of Alexander Laverty and Margaret Ferris, was killed in action on the 25th September 1915. Alexander Laverty of Cullybackey had married Margaret Ferris of Cardonaghy, Ahoghill in Ahoghill Parish Church (St Colmanell's) on the 22 July 1893. She was to die at Dreen, Cullybackey on the 4 September 1907.

Arthur enlisted Coatbridge, Scotland. He was originally billed as missing but enquiries led to Private J Brennan, 'A' Company, 11th Highland Light Infantry, then in the Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith, Edinburgh, reporting that 'On September 25, at Cambrai, I saw Laverty shot through the body and killed instantaneously; it was in a charge. This occurred about 8 or 9 am'. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and in Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church.

As indicated in the newspaper cutting below, elements of the family fought and suffered in both world wars. QMS Samuel Laverty fought in WW1 and won the Military Medal. Two brothers, William (3779794, 7th Bn. Oxford & Bucks. Light Infantry, died 20/09/1944, son of Alexander and Agnes Laverty, of Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.) and Albert fought in WW2, William being killed. Agnes Dempsey, his second wife, married Alexander Laverty on the 20 April 1908 in Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey.

Goldflake Farm, the location of Rifleman Arthur Laverty's death. It is visible at the bottom centre of map. The site is located south of Dadizeele, indeed slightly east thereof. It is almost due east of Vijfwegen, on left of map. Mansard Farm is NE of Goldflake Farm, four boxes near the rightangle bend in the line.

LAVERTY, 6840 Lance Corporal Arthur, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, born 31 July 1885, was killed in action on the 13th October 1918, almost certainly in the taking of Goldflake Farm. The War Diary indicates that it was considered a problem. On the 11th October there was 'Heavy fire by our guns on Goldflake Farm, and enemy positions in the vicinity'. Next day 'D' Company attacked and captured Mansard Farm, then on the 13th October, ' 'C' Company attacked and captured Goldflake Farm, and pill-boxes immediately behind ... casualties slight'.

He was born at Craigs, Cullybackey, the son of Alexander Laverty and Elizabeth Marrs, who had married in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church on the 7 July 1883. They later lived at Hillmount, Cullybackey. He was the brother of Canadian soldier Alexander Laverty, also killed in action. Arthur's wife was Sarah Brownlee, mistakenly recorded as Brownlie. Arthur, then of Islandbawn, Muckamore, married Sarah of 12, Moat Road, Ballymena in High Kirk Presbyterian Church on the 16 October 1909. She was later Mrs. M. E. Frame (formerly Laverty), of 8, Roxburgh St., Belfast. He is buried in Dadizeele British Cemetery, Belgium.

6840 Arthur Laverty's Will

I leave all my personal property and belongings to my wife Sarah Laverty, Harperstown, Cullybackey, Co Antrim

LAVERTY, 17499 Private John, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 20th April 1915. He was born on 6 January 1890 at Flag Lane, Broughshane Street, Ballymena and he enlisted Ballymoney. He was the son of labourer James Laverty and Margaret McMullan, later of 2 Alexander Street, Ballymena. The couple, both from Ballymena, had married in All Saints RC Church, Ballymena on the 8 January 1889. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

The War Diary is annotated 'Sanctuary Wood' and says 'the Battalion moved to the relief of the Royal Irish Regiment ... 'A' Company with 1 Platoon of 'B' Company on the left, 'D' Company with 1 Platoon of 'B' Company on right. Remainder in dugouts'.

There is no reference to individuals being killed on specific dates, though the end of April 1915 notes record '116 Other Ranks killed and wounded' during the period at the front. The entry for the 20th April 1915 indicated, however, that 'loopholes have been closed owing to the accuracy of the enemy's shooting'.

On the days following there was much obvious concern about mining, artillery fire and a note on the news about the use of gas 'north of Ypres'. The monthly concerns draw attention to the ferocity of fighting in the area, notably around St Julien. The taking of Hill 60 by 5th Division on the 17th April was noted in an earlier entry.

LAVERTY, 7551 Rifleman William, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, born on the 5 December 1898 at Millquarter, Toome, died on 2nd June 1916, and is buried in Etaples Cemetery, France. He was the son of Patrick Laverty and Rose O'Neill, Millquarter, Toomebridge. Labourer Patrick had married servant Rose in Moneyglass RC Church, Ballyscullion, Toome on the 26 September 1898.

Fourth Army Attack south of Le Cateau in which 19767 Willam Law was killed.

The yellow dots indicate some of the places mentioned in the account.

LAW, 19767 Private William, 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 17th October 1918, killed at the beginning of the Battle of the Selle, 17–25 October 1918.

Victory at the 2nd Battle of Cambrai had seen the allies advance 2 miles, and the Fourth Army were by 11 October, closing in on the retreating Germans at Le Cateau. However, the Germans were planning to make a stand at new positions east of the Selle River and on high ground beyond the railway.
Fourth Army troops, which included the 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers in the 50th Northumbrian Division, attacked at 5.20 a.m. on Thursday, 17 October. Their diary merely states that the ‘Battalion attacked south of Le Cateau at 0520 in thick mist’ They were part of an operation that saw infantry and tanks, preceded by a creeping barrage, move forward on a 10 miles front south of Le Cateau.
The centre and left of the Fourth Army easily forced crossings of the river, though fighting was fierce along the line of the Le Cateau–Wassigny railway. The Inniskillings ‘astride the railway’ got to Fassiaux Bridge but there met ‘strenuous opposition’. Beyond this point they encountered ‘enemy in organised shell holes, but this was overcome after 10 minutes of sharp fighting’. Fierce opposition was then ‘encountered at the railway junction … where we were held up for 30 minutes’. There was also a lot of hard fighting around the railway station. Their right Company was in trouble too, ‘held up by MG fire from Brickwork, Slag Heap, Petroleum Refinery and Maltings’ – and so it continued throughout the day and night. At one point they reported that 'SAA and bombs were urgently required'
At 0630 hours on the 18th October the Inniskillings were ordered to advance under an artillery barrage to clear Brickwork and take a wood. ‘The Brickwork was cleared without casualties’ and the wood taken for the loss on one officer and one other rank killed. The Battalion then went into Reserve, and at 12.00 hours on the 19th October was relieved and marched back to Le Trou Aux Soldats, a farm near Maretz. Their total casualties, killed, wounded and missing, were eight officers and 90 men.
German defences had been broken and Le Cateau captured. The British Third and First Armies, north of the Fourth Army, maintained the offensive pressure the following day, launching a surprise night attack on the 20 October.

William Law was born on the 19 May 1881 and was the son of James Law of Gortaheron, Portglenone and his wife Agnes, nee Law. William married on the 7 August 1900 in 2nd Portglenone Presbyterian Church, his bride Mary McKibben of Killycoogan, Portglenone. They resided at Killycoogan, Portglenone and it was to wife Mary, daughter Agnes M and son James that he left his effects. The 1901 census records recently married William (20) and Mary (29) at Gortaheron. The 1911 census records Mary (47), Agnes Mary (10) and James (7) in their Grandfather (71) William's home at Killycoogan.

William Law is buried in Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France and commemorated in 3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church.

Yellow dot marks place where 9423 Guardsman James Leetch, 1st Scots Guards was lost.

Right: LEETCH, 9423 Guardsman James, 1st Scots Guards, went missing, later believed killed, on the 25th January, 1915.

1st Scots Guards left Annequin and moved to trenches at Cuinchy on the 23rd January 1915 - 'B' & 'C' Companies went into the front line, 'RF in 'Keep', LF in reserve trench very close to Germans'. They changed roles next day.

A German deserter warned them on the 25th January that an attack was imminent and it unfolded one hour later just as he described. The War Diary describes events thus: '5 RF & 40 LF got away ... the Germans first shelled them, then ... attacked ... threw bombs (grenades) in, got to the lip of the parapet and shot into the trenches. The Germans afterwards swarmed up to the 'Keep' ... they were checked and held.' Reinforcement allowed a counter attack at 1 pm 'but did not retake much ground'

At 4 pm the 1st Scots Guards was relieved and went into billets in Bethune, but 9423 James Leetch was not with them.

The Battle of La Bassée had been fought in northern France in October 1914 during the 'Race to the Sea'. Positions became largely static after both sides concentrated on the First Battle of Ypres, and fighting around La Bassée was reduced to raids and local attacks, often called the Affairs of Cuinchy. This incident appears to be one of them.

Leetch had been born on the 9 September 1893 at Galgorm, Ballymena, the son of plasterer Robert Leetch (elsewhere Leech, Lietch or Leitch) and Mary Jane Stewart, both of Galgorm Parks, Ballymena. The couple had married in Ahoghill Parish Church (St Colmanell's) on the 7 April 1881. He enlisted in Glasgow. He is named on Le Touret Memorial, France and commemorated in Ahoghill Church of Ireland.

Map showing where Andrew Lennox was killed

LENNOX, 17333 Private Andrew, 10/11th Highland Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 23rd May, 1916. His unit was in the area around Hulluch, a section of the Loos battlefield of 25th September - 8 October 1915, and it remained an active area in 1916. They were in the Quarries Subsection, and on the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd the War Diary says of each day 'Situation normal', though it does additionally point out that on the 19th that 'enemy heavy trench mortars were active' and that two officers were killed on the 20th May. There is no mention of other casualties and we cannot say what happened Andrew Lennox.

He was born on the 30 September 1891 at Culnafay, Toomebridge and was the son of labourer Charles Lennox and his wife Nancy (Agnes) Nicholl, a worker in a mill. The couple married in Ballymena Registrar's Office on the 14 August 1880, Nancy giving her address as 40, Irvine Street, Belfast. Andrew was at Culnafay in 1901 but later enlisted in Lanark, Scotland. He had been working at the Gourock Rope Works, Lanark before the Great War. He was the husband of Jeannie Kelly, 21, Stops Street, Glasgow, his widow later living at 10, Broxfield Row, New Lanark, Glasgow. She was also recorded at one point living with Andrew's child at 60, George Street, Paisley. She remarried and became Jeannie Madden.

Private Andrew Lennox is commemorated in Grange Church of Ireland, Toomebridge.

LENNOX, 1925 Rifleman James, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 22nd August 1916. He was born in Ballymena in 1896 and enlisted in Clandeboye. He was the son of James Lennox and Sarah Law, the couple, both textile workers from Leighinmohr, Ballymena, having married in Ahoghill Parish Church on the 24 May 1894. He was then 19, his wife 21. They lived at Alfred Street, Harryville in 1901 and were later at Edward Street, Harryville, Ballymena. Rifleman James Lennox is buried in Etretat Churchyard, Seine Maritime, France. He is commemorated in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church. See separate page for his story.

LETSON, Second Engineer James, Mercantile Marine, aged circa 22 years, died on Thursday, February 1, 1917 in the sinking of the SS Essonite (Glasgow), and he is named on the Tower Hill Memorial. He was the son of James and Agnes Letson, of Drumnacole, Carnlough, Co. Antrim. The couple, 27-year-old James a labourer from ‘Craigcotter’ and 25-year-old servant Agnes Wallace from Drumnacole, had married in the Glenarm Parish Church (St Patrick's, Tickmacrevan) on the 14 November 1890. Their son James was born at Carnlough, Co. Antrim, but no record of his birth can be found.
SS Essonite, launched by Scott and Sons, Bowling (Yard No. 174) for William Robertson, Glasgow, was sunk whilst on a voyage from Caernarvon to Rochester with stone. She had been torpedoed by the German submarine U-55 at a position 3 miles north-north-west from Trevose Head. Ten crew were lost.

LETTERS (sometimes Lettres), 19057 Rifleman William, 'A' Coy, 19th Royal Irish Rifles, died at home in the military hospital attached to Victoria Barracks, Belfast on the 23rd December 1916 and he is buried in Belfast City Cemetery. He had been born on the 21 August 1864 in Kirkinriola district, the son of mason William Letters and his wife Ellen McAdorey. Son William enlisted in Ballymena (His sister Ellen, born 12 February 1873 was born at Robert Street, Ballymena, this indicating the family had long since moved into town) and the family were living at James Street, Harryville, Ballymena in 1901 and 1911. Mary Letters (48), Mary Ellen (17) and Margaret Sloan (44) are recorded in 1901. Margaret Sloan was a sister of Mrs. William Letters. He had married Mary Sloan of Adair's Court, James Street, Harryville on the 20 October 1894 at St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballyclug, Ballymena; he also then lived at Adair's Court. William Lettres (sic) was 44 and a widow in 1911 and he lived with William Lettres, his 24-year-old deaf and dumb son and his 28-year-old millworker daughter. The family's millworker aunt Margaret Sloan (44) lived with them. William said in 1911 that he had had just the two children; both William and Mary Ellen, the latter referred to generally as Ellen, are documented.

Millworker Mary Ellen Letters, James Street, Ballymena married plasterer Joseph Barr of Springwell Street, Ballymena on the 19 August 1911 in St Patrick's Parish Church, and the couple, as stated in his informal will, lived at 13, Bridge Street Place, Ballymena. Joseph, Ellen and Margaret Sloan all testified to what William had said in his 'oral will' during a visit to Ellen's home.

LINDSAY, William James, 23/811, Rifleman, 1st Bn, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on 19th September 1916. He was born on the 5 November 1884 at Glenarm. He was the son of then seaman George Lindsay, Glenarm, and Martha Semple of Knockstacken, Glenarm, Co. Antrim. The couple had married in Broughshane on the 21 February 1884. He is buried in Thistle Dump Cemetery, High Wood, Longueval, France and remembered in St. Patrick's Church of Ireland (Tickmacrevan), Glenarm.

LINTON, David, 6186, Rifleman, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action on 1st July 1916. He was born on the 15 September 1896. He was the second son of Robert John Linton and Mary Gregg, farmers, of Artnacrea, Clough, Co. Antrim. The couple, Robert John from Artnacrea and Mary Gregg from Ballybogie, had married in Clough Presbyterian Church on the 15 February 1883.

There were eight in the family, six boys and two girls (Samuel, David, Robert, Joseph, James [emigrated to NZ], Andrew, Maggie and Mary [died young], and three of the boys served in the war. Samuel, the eldest, a Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery and a recipient of the MM, was gassed but survived the war, and Robert John, the third son, only sixteen, enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery. David died, probably by shellfire that destroyed his body, in the opening on the Somme attack that killed so many of the 12th and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is remembered in Clough Presbyterian Church.

Right: LITTLE, 22849 Lance Corporal Robert, 'C' Company, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, said to have died on the 12th December 1918 from existing injuries while a prisoner of war. He was captured at St Quentin on the 21st March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) and his German record is marked 'unverwundet' or 'unwounded'. He was at Cassel and Mannheim Camps, and Ballymena Observer, January 3, 1919, says, 'Mrs. Little, Millview Place, Ballymena has received notification that her husband, Lance Corporal Robert Little, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was a prisoner of war in Germany, died on 12th December in a military hospital as the result of injuries received in a German sugar factory during his period of captivity.'

He was born 18 May 1885 at Main Street, Limavady, Co. Londonderry and he lived and enlisted in Ballymena. His parents, engine cleaner William from Ballyclose and his wife Annie Thompson of Meeting House Lane, both Ballymena locations, had married in Drumachose Parish Church, Limavady on 21 July 1884.

Jockey Robert of Tullygarley married Agnes Johnston, Galgorm Street, Ballymena in St Patrick's Parish Church on the 21 June 1905. His wife and five children resided at 1 Millview Place, off Robert Street, Galgorm Road, Ballymena.

He is now buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany and commemorated in 2nd Ballymena Presbyterian Church.

LOGAN, 169528 Private (2nd Class) David, 155 Squadron, RAF, was killed in an accidental explosion on the 8 November 1918 and he was buried in Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney, France. He had been born on the 5 October 1881 at Carncoagh, Skerry, Ballymena, the son of labourer James Logan, Carncoagh, and Ellen Shaw, Rathkenny. The couple had married in 3rd Ballymena Presbyterian Church on the 21 January 1874. David appears in the 1901 Irish census living at Galgorm Parks, Galgorm, Ballymena with the McBride family. He had married Mary Ellen McBride, Galgorm Parks, at the United Free Church, Cullybackey on the 12 July 1902. She later lived at George Street, Renfrew, Scotland. He was named on the now lost Galgorm & District War Memorial.

LOGAN, 38442 Private John, 12 Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was killed in action on the 15 October 1918 and he is buried in Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

The 12 Royal Scots left Keiburg at 5.50 am and went to Buert Ridge to support the 26th Brigade in an attack east of Ypres. The War Diary says the 'Battalion, in conjunction with the 11th Royal Scots, captured Steenbeek Ridge, their objective the hamlet.'

The advance began at 9.00 am from the Steenen Stampkot-Smisse Knok Road and then continued via the north and east sides of Laaga Kapel Wood. 'Heavy machine gun fire was experienced especially around the the NE corner of the wood' but the unit continued, re-formed 'in the low ground south of the wood and proceeded to attack Steenbeek, which was being heavily shelled and was largely in flames'. The enemy left without a fight, and 'after passing round the village the Battalion ... proceeded due east through the wood mopping up a few enemy MG positions'. There was 'no enemy resistance outside the wood' and the 12th Royal Scots moved on 'to take up a position on the railway (NE of Heule)'.

At 1.30 pm they were ordered to move and 'without opposition' took up a position on 'the road running north-south through Le Chat'.

Further orders at 4.30 pm made the Battalion take up 'a position in the village of Cuerne' and there they spent the night in billets 'with outposts pushed towards the River Lys & active patrolling'. They recorded that the 'enemy kept up heavy MG fire from Harlebeke opposite'. It had been a busy day and they had sustained 35 other rank casualties. When 38442 Private John Logan died on the long trek is not known.

He was the son of James and Ellen, nee Shaw, and he had been born on the 25 October 1884 at Galgorm Parks, Galgorm, Ballymena. He was married to Margaret and lived Main Street, East Linton, Prestonkirk, East Lothian, Scotland. He was named on the now lost Galgorm & District War Memorial. He was the brother of David - above.

LOGAN, 18103 Rifleman Joseph, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 at the Somme.

He was born on the 16 November 1896 at Slatt, Ballymena and was the son of railway guard James of Larne and his wife Mary Ann Allison. The couple had married in West Church Presbyterian Church, Ballymena on the 12 July 1895. At some point they moved back to Larne and were living at Jubilee Street in 1901. Mary Ann died there on the 15 December 1908. The rest of the family lived at Thorndale Avenue, Larne in 1911 and it was in Larne that Joseph enlisted. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, and in Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne.

LOGAN, 17/786 Rifleman Joseph, 8th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 5th April 1917. His unit were in the area around Kemmel, near Ypres, and they were in the trenches from the 1st-8th April. The War Diary for the 1st-6th April uses for each day only one phrase -'Quiet day. Weather bad'. There is no indication of activity or casualties on any of the days, though shelling on the 7th April is mentioned. The unit were relieved on the 8th April in what is referred to as a 'good relief'. What befell him during a quiet time remains a mystery.

He was born on the 6 December 1896 at Craigs, Cullybackey and he was the eldest son of James Logan and Mary Dillon. The couple, bleacher James from Hillmount, Cullybackey and Mary Ann, a domestic servant in The Rectory, Craigs, had married in Craigs Parish Church on the 19 May 1893. They and their six children later lived at Station Road, Cullybackey. Joseph enlisted in Ballymena. He is buried Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium and commemorated in Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey.

LOGAN, 18605 Corporal Samuel, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was posted as missing on the 22nd November 1917. He was, as stated in a Ballymena Weekly Telegraph article of the 29 March 1919, subsequently deemed to have been killed on that date.

He was born on the 21 January 1898 at James Street, Ballymena and was the son of flax dresser James Logan and his wife Matilda. The couple, James of William Street, Ballymena and Matilda Turtle of James Street, Ballymena, had married in St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballyclug, Ballymena on the 25 December 1895. The family lived at Castle Gardens, off Edward Street, Harryville in 1901 and 1911. They had had six children by 1911 and all were then alive; Samuel was their eldest son. Samuel was employed in the Braidwater Spinning Mill before enlistment in Belfast early in the war. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval and in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church.

LOGAN, 678621 Private William, 116th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, died of wounds received in action at 7 Casualty Clearing Station when aged 31 on the 26 December 1917 and he is buried in Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He had been allegedly born in Ballymena but he cannot be positively identified in the local record. His Canadian record does not give an exact location of birth, the birthday he gave does not correspond to any in the local registration of births, and he does not name either of his parents. He lived at 129, Beverley Street, Toronto, Canada, and he had named Miss Martha Kinley, a relative, elsewhere his fiancee, in Toronto, as his next of kin. She was born on the 1 June 1880 at 12 Castlereagh View, Belfast, and she had emigrated to Canada along with her mother Ruth and brother John. They travelled aboard the SS Lake Champlain and arrived at Quebec City in September 1903.

The above extract from the War diary of the 116th Battalion, Canadian Infantry describes how Private William Logan met his death. He was clearly one of those five ORs wounded in the exchange of grenades at Sap 6 at 6.30 a.m. Indeed, he was the one who 'Died of Wounds'. The details of his passing are also provided in the Circumstances of Death register below.

Additional material courtesy of N Nixon, Canada

LONGMORE, 15332 Private James, 8th Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 6th September 1916. He was born on the 30 May 1880 at Queen Street, Harryville, Ballymena and was the son of tinsmith Hiram Longmore and Sarah Graham. The couple, both from Harryville, married in St Patrick's Parish Church on the 14 April 1876. Hiram Longmore died aged 33 on the 24 December 1883 at Queen Street, Harryville and Sarah died aged 46 on the 14 February 1892. James seems to have left Ballymena soon thereafter and he was a labourer boarding with the Bunting family at Ballycarry Street, Belfast in 1901 and 1911. He enlisted in Tipperary but still lived in Belfast. He had at least one sister in Ballymena. Matilda Ballentine Longmore had been born on the 23 December 1876 at Queen Street and she remained in the town. She was boarding with the Welson (sic) Family in 1901. She married Gordon McAlonan in St Patrick's Parish Church on the 9 July 1907. They both lived in Henry Street.

James Longmore was killed on the Somme and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

LONGMORE, 2700 Lance Serjeant Wilson, 1st Irish Guards, was killed in action at Ypres on the 28th October 1916.

He was born on the 8 March 1888 at Queen Street, Harryville, Ballymena and was the son of Thomas Longmore and Elizabeth McFarland. Flax dresser Thomas Wilson Longmore and had married Elizabeth McFarland, the pair from Officers' Folly, Harryville, in St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballyclug on the 29 August 1881. The family were at Queen Street, Harryville in 1901 and at Bridge street, Ballymena in 1911. The couple said they had had seven children by 1911 and all were then alive. They later moved to Belfast and lived at 18 Jocelyn St, Belfast. Wilson Longmore enlisted in Belfast and, formerly in the Royal Irish Constabulary, he went to the Irish Guards. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Wilson's brother was Captain George M B Longmore, British Army Mauritius Labour Battalion

George McFarland Longmore, the name on the birth registration, was born on the 19 April 1886.

Headstone should read George M'F Longmore

Left: LOVE, 26/1632 Lance Corporal David, 2nd. Bn, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on the Somme on 2 April 1918. He was a labourer and had been born on the 25 October 1885 at Killycreen, Glenbuck, near Glarryford. He was the son of farmer David Love, Killycreen and Hannah Jane Linton, Frocess, Dundermot, Glarryford. The couple had married in Ballymena Register Office on the 26 November 1872. They said they had had nine children together and all were alive in 1911. David listed as his next of kin his brother, a Mr Asher Love, Woodville, New Zealand. David had left New Zealand on the 1 April 1916 with the 2nd Reinforcements, 4th Battalion, H Company. He is remembered on the Grevillers (NZ) Memorial. See Ballymena New Zealanders.

LOWRY, 18/891 or 891 Rifleman James, 14th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 16th August 1917. He was born on the 10 November 1896 at Fenagh, Galgorm, Ballymena, and he enlisted in Ballymena. He was the son of Thomas Lowry and Margaret Neilly (sometimes Neely), Fenagh, Cullybackey. The couple had married in Ballymena Registrar's Office on the 1 November 1890. James is commemorated on theTyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

LUKE, 6363 Rifleman Alexander, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds (received 1st July) at No. 9 Clearing Hospital, Rouen on the 8th August 1916. He was born on the 11 October 1890 at Lismurnaghan, Ahoghill and was the son of James Luke and Mary Calderwood. Labourer James Luke of Ahoghill had married Mary Calderwood, Ahoghill in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church (Trinity) on the 10 December 1886. The family were living in Ahoghill village in 1901 and 1911 and on the latter date the parents said they had had eight children. Seven were still alive in 1911. Alexander Luke married Agnes Turtle of Ballymena in Wellington Street Presbyterian Church on the 18 February 1914 and they lived at Galgorm Street, Ballymena, later at 37 Springwell Street, Ballymena. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, France and commemorated in 2nd Ahoghill Presbyterian Church and in St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballymena.

A general hospital at Rouen, No. 9, July 1916

Credit: World War One: Rouen, France: a general hospital: view of hospital tents. Photograph, 1916. Credit: Wellcome Collection. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

LYNAS, 17/1552 Rifleman William John, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, a prisoner of war, died 'at 4.30 in the morning in war hospital 216 following inflamation of the lungs at Stendal' on the 29th June 1918. His German record says he was captured on the 21st March 1918 at St Quentin and 'was kept behind the lines on the transport to Stendal'. This means he may have died from flu in France and explain his burial there.

He was born on the 25 September 1897 at Alfred Street, Ballymena, though he told the Germans he was born in Belfast on the 22nd September 1887, and was the son of mill worker William Lynas of Alfred Street, Harryville, Ballymena and Mary Clarke, Garfield Place, Ballymena. The couple had married in St Patrick's Parish Church, Ballymena on the 25 December 1890. They were at Edenderry Street, Belfast in 1901 and were later at 219, Cambrai St., Belfast.

He is named on a headstone in Ballymena Old Cemetery, Church Street, Ballymena. He is buried in Premont British Cemetery, Aisne, France.

LYNCH, 3/6872 Private Michael James, 1st Somerset Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 9th August 1916. He was born in Belfast, enlisted in Cardiff and lived in Ballymena; this Ballymena connection is unproven. He served as Thomas Charles Blair. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

BALLYMENA 1914-1918

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Ballymena and the Great War