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Bushmills Heroes
1914 - 1918
by
Robert Thompson

Part One (this page)       Part Two

STREET DIRECTORIES TRANSCRIBED
1805 - 1806 - 1807 - 1808 - 1819 - 1843 - 1852 - 1861 - 1868 - 1877 - 1880 - 1890 - 1894
1901 - 1907 - 1908 - 1909 - 1910 - 1912 - 1918 - 1924 - 1932 - 1939 - 1943 - 1951 - 1960
1913 Tel. directory    1824 Pigots (Belfast)  &  (Bangor)   1894 Waterford Directory
1898 Newry Directory      Bangor Spectator Directory 1970
 

 

It has been a very moving experience and one I shall not easily forget...
...Robert Thompson

The tablet in Billy Parish Church commemorates men from two districts, Bushmills and Dervock, and rather than make a difference between them, I decided to include them all........R. Thompson

Robert Thompson

on this page are listed 97 men mainly from Bushmills from the book by Robert Thompson, painstakingly and lovingly compiled...

Bushmills and the First World War

Bushmills and the surrounding district suffered heavily in the 1914-1918 war.  In the early stages of the war in 1914 and 1915 heavy fighting took place in France and Belgium and in Gallipoli.  But it was the Battle of the Somme in July of 1916 which really brought grief home to Bushmills.

Twenty-three Bushmills boys were killed or missing on the 1st of July 1916 with a further ten killed before the battle finished in November because of the terrible weather conditions when neither food for the men nor ammunition for the guns could be got forward.  Men had to stay out in the open in all weather with only the scantiest of shelter and move around in the trenches ankle deep in French mud.

Of those twenty-three, only six have a known grave, the others all being commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing at Thiepval.

From then until the end of the war there was a steady toll on the Bushmills lads and they lie in cemeteries from Calais all the way down the Western Front to Bazentin.  Everywhere you go in Northern France and Belgium there are cemeteries with row after row of white headstones and neatly kept lawns and roses and flowers of all descriptions.

During my research a number of names have turned up which do not appear on the Bushmills War Memorial, but hopefully we can have that put right in the near future.

Private Charles Allen 1535
1st Battalion Irish Guards

Killed in Action 18th November 1914
Age 29

Born: Belfast
Resided: Liscolman
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Allen of Alexander Street, Ballymena
Husband of Matilda Allen of Liscolman, Dervock
No known grave
Named on the Dervock Memorial

Commemorated in Billy Parish Church

Commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, Panel 11

Rifleman John Campbell 6100
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 10th March 1915
Age 40

 

Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Bushmills
Husband of Harriet Campbell of Roxburgh Street, Newtownards Road, Belfast
No known grave
Killed at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

 

Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France, Panels 42 & 43

Sergeant William Graham 5389
1st Battalion Irish Guards

Killed in Action 24th April 1915
Aged 21
 

Born: Prolisk, Bushmills on 23/6/1893
Lived: Prolisk
Son of John and Mary Graham of Prolisk, Bushmills
Married: Mary
Enlisted: Glasgow

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Interred in Cambrin Military Cemetery, France, Plot A, Grave 23

VERSE

Private John Stinson Lyons 270
90th Winnipeg Rifles

Killed in Action 24th April 1915
Aged 28

 

Enlisted: Canada
Born: Carnglass, Dervock
Resided: Canada
Son of James and Priscilla Lyons of Carnglass, Dervock
Married: Priscilla McCaughan

Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, Panel 24

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Private Alexander McCaughan, of the 2nd contingent Canadian Expeditionary Force, has been wounded in France, he is a cousin of Mr. Jack Lyons, of the 1st Canadian Forces

Rifleman Robert Moore 1798
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 9th May 1915
Aged 24

 

Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium, Panel 9

 

Born: Mosside
Son of George and Annie Moore, Liscolman
Family moved to Scotland
Husband of Agnes Laverty McPherson of 117 Bouverie Street, Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire
Lived: Port Glasgow
No known grave

Commemorated in Billy Parish Church
Brother of W. Moore K.I.A. 27th April 1916

Named on Dervock War Memorial

 

Rifleman William Moore 3216
2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 27th April 1916
Aged 32

 

Enlisted: Greenock
Born: Liscolman, Dervock
Resided: Port Glasgow
Wife: Mary Ann Moore
Commemorated in Billy Parish Church
Brother of R. Moore, K.I.A. 9/5/1915
Named on Dervock War Memorial

Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont. St. Eloi, Arras, France, Plot 1, Row F, Grave 25

 

Private Robert Greer 4197
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Killed in Action 19th June 1915
Aged 19

 

Enlisted: Coleraine
Born: Ballyversal, Coleraine
Son of John Greer of Priestland, Bushmills

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Plot Special Memorial Row C, Grave 108

Lieutenant Daniel Kerr
14th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, Attached, South Wales Borderers

Killed in Action 6th July 1915
Aged 23

 

Born: Craignamaddy
Resided: Craignamaddy
Son of Mrs. Kerr of Craignamaddy and the late Mr. S. J. Kerr
(Samuel Joseph Kerr married Margaret Morrison in Ballycastle Presbyterian Church in 1st October 1889)

Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Panel 75 - 77

Private James Callaghan  S/13279
3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Died 1st December 1915
Aged 18

 

Son of Charles and Annie Callaghan of 227 Annathill Terrace, Glenboig, Lanarkshire
Lived: Bushmills and Glenboig
Died: 1st December 1915
Enlisted: Coatbridge

Buried in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Airdrie, Scotland, New Grave 15

Private William Charles Hill  S/9326
1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Killed in Action 3rd March 1916
Aged 19

Commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium

 

 

Enlisted: Liverpool
Born: Glasgow
Resided: Craigpark, Bushmills and Glasgow
Son of Charles and Mary Hill of Paisley Road, Glasgow
Charles Hill, Craigpark married Mary Laverty, Carrowreagh in Billy Parish Church on 24th May 1897
Charles Hill was a farmer, John Laverty, father of Mary Laverty was a policeman
No Known grave

Lance Corporal John Morton 9794
1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Killed in Action 22nd May 1915
Aged 25  -  
VERSE

Enlisted: Coleraine
Born: Dunluce, 1890
Resided: Ballytober
Son of Robert and Lizzie Lorton of Ballytober, Priestland who had a family of 17 - 7 sons and 10 daughters
No known grave

Commemorated in Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Panels 97 - 101

Andrew Morton, Royal Navy1908, transferred to R.I.R. 1914. Served with 36th Ulster Division, taken prisoner. Released, joined R.I.C. and served in S. Ireland. transferred to R.U.C., stationed in Belfast, Sergeant until retirement.
~~~~~~

Robert Morton, Joined R.I.C. in 1914, taken prisoner, released, rejoined the police and was stationed in Belfast.
Married: Elizabeth Kerr
~~~~~~

David Jas. Morton, Sergeant in R.U.C.
~~~~~~

Albert Morton, Joined Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and was killed in Italy.
~~~~~~

Samuel Morton, joined Royal Navy, was killed at Benghazi.
~~~~~~

William Morton, Emigrated to Australia, joined Australian Air Force in WW2.

Corporal John McMaster 446737
28th Battalion Saskatchewan Regiment

Killed in Action 6th June 1916
Aged 29


Born: Ballymagarry 22/8/1887
Lived: Calgary, Alberta
Enlisted: Calgary
Son of Martha McMaster of Ballymagarry and the late Archibald McMaster

Commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, Panel 26 - 28


John and his mother Martha

Death of L/Sgt. William Graham

The little town on the banks of the Bush Has given freely of it's sons
In freedom's glorious cause to fight Against the tyranny of the Huns

Deeply stirred was the heart of the town With mingled feelings of grief and pride By the news that one of ifs bravest men On the fields of France had nobly died

Of the gallant band of Bushmills men
Who have responded nobly to the call Young William Graham has been the first For his Country's honour to bravely fall

In camp, or trench, or bayonet charge
A brave and trusted soldier he
Of the famous Regiment - the Irish Guards
In which he was so proud to be

He sleeps far away in a foreign land
His grave marked
by a wooden cross
But many a year will come and go
Ere Bushmills ceases to mourn his loss

What nobler record of one man's life Than that by this true soldier won
What grander way could any man die Than just as young Graham has done.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Soldier boy lying there underneath that slab
The war you fought in a foreign field
Was nothing short of mad
You were not told to go
You went of your own freewill
And left the ones you loved behind
To die on a foreign hill
The trenches were high
And deep with mud
And you were numb with cold
You remembered your mothers knee
And the stories you were told
The whistle blew the advance began
And you were over the top
Into a living hell of shell
And they could find you not
O' unknown soldier boy
The sacrifice you paid
So this world could live in peace
Beneath that slap you're laid.

Frank Scott, 1995

     To John Morton, my mother's brother, killed at the Dardanelles, 1915 and all others who fell in battle without a grave.

HURRAH FOR GINCHY
(It will be remembered that Ginchy and Guillemont. pillars of the German defence, were the scene of most memorable and glorious Irish gallantry.)

Irish hearts were never prouder, Irish praise was never louder,
You can almost smell the powder and hear the clash of steel
As you read the thrilling story and unprecedented glory
Of the dashing Irish regiments who made the "Jerrys" squeal.

They have won the approbation and unstinted admiration
Of every Allied nation for their deeds of "Derring-do".
Faith, if there is any fighting for a wrong that wants arighting
You may trust the "bhoys" of Paddy's land to see the matter thro'.

And before the war is finished with ardour undiminished
The "bhoys" will claim another day to make the "Jerrys' whine;
The Murphies and the Lynches will spring from out the trenches
And never stop pursuing till the Bosches cross the Rhine.

Arrah, glory, Connaught Rangers! you never dream of dangers,
And glory to the Dublin and Munster Fusiliers,
Likewise the Irish Rifles, who never deal in trifles;
You're heroes every one of you; three hearty Allied cheers.

D. Carroll. H.M.S. Ajax

2nd Lieutenant Sir Edward Harry MacNaghten 6th Bart
1st Battalion Black Watch attached to 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 20

 

Born: Bushmills, 12th February 1896
Son of the late Hon. Sir E. C. MacNaghten 5th Bart, K.C., D.L., of Dundarave, Bushmills and the Hon. Lady MacNaghten of Berkshire, Educated at Eton College
No known grave

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 10A

2nd Lieutenant Sir A. D. MacNaghten, 7th Bart
8th Battalion Rifle Brigade

Killed in Action 15th September 1916
Aged 19

Born: Bushmills 25/1/1897
Son of the late Hon. Sir E. C. MacNaghten, 5th Bart., K.C., D.L., of Dundarave, Bushmills and the Hon. Lady MacNaghten of Berkshire.
Educated: Wellington College and Trinity College, Cambridge

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France, Plot 5, Row B, Grave 1

Rifleman John Black 1084
'C' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1915

 

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Ballintoy
Resided: Bushmills
Husband of the late Ellen Black nee McIlroy who had a family of 2 sons and 1 daughter - Jim, Jack and May and were brought up by Mrs. Alex. McLernon, The Aird, Bushmills

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15

VERSE

Rifleman Robert Carson 108
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 21

 

Enlisted: Ballymena
Born: Kilraughts  1895
Resided: Bushfoot, Portballintrae
Son of James B.1850 and Ellen Carson B. 1860

Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15, France

Rifleman Samuel Carson 1709
"D" Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 21
 

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Ballyrock, Bushmills 30/11/1894
Resided: Ballyrock, Bushmills
Son of Thomas and Martha Carson of Seneirl, Bushmills

Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Buried in Ancre Valley British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France, Plot 1, Row D, Grave 32

younger brother Robert John B. 20/10/1896 also served

Rifleman George Cochrane 17457
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 19

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills on 19th January 1897
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Charles and Maria Cochrane of Bushmills
Family: Margaret born 23/3/1894; George born 19/1/1897; Charles born 5/12/1902

Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, Plot 6, Row A, Grave 29

Charles Cochrane, Market Square dies 11/6/1934 aged 73
Maria Cochrane, Market Square died 4/2/1944 aged 73
Both are buried in Dunluce Parish Churchyard

Rifleman John Cochrane 17458
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 26

 

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Aird, Bushmills
Resided: Aird, Bushmills
Son of Miss Martha McAllister but raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Ann McAllister

Commemorated in Billy Parish Church

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15

(see best friend Duggie right)

Douglas (Duggie) McLernon
(Ulster Division) friend of John Cochrane 

For King and country well he stood,
Unknown to coward's fear;
In battle strife he shed his blood,
With the Ulster Volunteers.
His loving face and kindly smile
Are pleasant to recall,
He had a kindly word for each,
And died beloved by all.

Deeply regretted by his faithful comrade, Private Duggie McLernon (Ulster Division) and the rest of the McLernon family

Rifleman Alexander Craig 614
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 27

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Ballyrashane 15/4/1888
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Alex and Mary Craig of Ballyrock

Commemorated in Ballyrashane Presbyterian Church

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Rifleman Samuel Craig 1712
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 20

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Parish of Dunluce 18/8/1895
Resided: Ballyrock, Bushmills
Son of Alex and Mary Craig of Ballyrock, Bushmills

Commemorated in Ballyrashane Presbyterian Church

Interred in Serre Road Cemetery, No. 2 France, Plot 11, Row M, Grave 5


Private John Craig 20067
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 24th March 1918

Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Panels 74-76

Born: Stirling
Enlisted: Stirling
John was, I believe, the eldest son of Alex. and Mary Craig who came from Scotland and settled in the townland of Ballyrock.
See his 2 brothers above

Rifleman Arthur Ross 20/309
'C' Company, 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 23rd August 1918
Aged 21

Niederzwehren Cemetery, Cassel, Germany, Plot 2, Row G, Grave 6

Enlisted: Ballymena
Born: Cluntice 5/4/1897
Brother of Mrs. Emily Taggart of Ballyhemlin, Bushmills who died 4th April 1944 aged 59 and is buried in Dunluce Parish Churchyard.
Son of Katherine Ross, Cluntice

Commemorated in Billy Presbyterian Church



Group of soldiers from 1914 - 1915

Sergeant Isaac Dean 17564
"D" Company 12th Battalion Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 26

It is also worthy of note that Samuel Dean's brother James had six sons who served in the war. They lived in Belfast and I think all survived. They were: Sgt. James, R.I.R. wounded, Cpl. Malcolm, R.I.R., Rflmn. Matthew, R.I.R., Cpl. Edward, North Irish Horse, Pte. Allan, Royal Marine Light Infantry and P.O. Samuel, Royal Naval Air Service

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills on 26th April 1890
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Samuel & Margaret Dean, Upper Main Street, Bushmills

Football at the Front

Mr. Samuel Dean 28/10/1886 has received a letter from his brother, Sergeant John Dean, 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, at present on active service in France, in which he says that his battalion took part
 in a football match, and the team representing it were all boys from Bushmills.
The names are as follows: W. McNeill, Mulholland, Courtney, Johnston, I. Dean, McNeill, McKeague, J. Dean, Fall, McAllister and McCallum. The Bushmills team won, the goal scorers being J. Dean, Mulholland and McCallum.

Private Robert Taggart 19107
10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 19

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Pier 4, Pier 5

Enlisted: Coleraine
Born: Dunluce on 12/2/1897
Resided: Ballyclough, Bushmills
Son of Daniel & Agnes Taggart, Ballyclough
Daniel Taggart (Died 20/10/1915) married Agnes Kane in Dunluce Parish Church on 3rd September 1896

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church


Pte. Thomas Kane, cousin of Robert Taggart

Rifleman Charles Esdale 17595
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 23

 

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Enlisted: Ballymoney September 1914
Born: Coleraine 1893
Resided: Bushmills
Son of John and Margaret Esdale, Main Street, Bushmills

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Esdale - A tribute of love and respect to the memory of my dearest husband, Private Charles Esdale, who was killed at the Battle of the Somme, 1st July, 1916.

Sleep on, dear Charlie, in a far-off land,
In a grave I may never see;
But as long as life and memory last,
I will remember thee.
Forget him, no, I never will,
for in my heart I love him still;
Hard, hard was the blow, the shock severe,
To part with one I loved so dear.  "To memory dear" Inserted by his loving wife, Janie Esdale

Rifleman Daniel Johnston 17965
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 24

 

Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, Plot 1, Row D, Grave 4

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills 15/1/1892
Resided: Bushmills
Son of David and Isabella Johnston, nee Wilkinson, Married in Billy Parish church on 14/9/1871 and who had a family of 6 sons and 3 daughters - David (1873), Ben (1874), Isabella (1875), Bessie (1879), Rose (1882), Alexander (1885), Charles (1888), Frederick Douglas (1890) and Daniel (1892)


Daniel was believed to have served in a mortar section, destroying German wire.

Rifleman Thomas Kennedy 18011
'D' Company 12th battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 38

 

Commemorated in Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills on 13th February 1878
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Robert and Peggy Kennedy
No known grave

 

Commemorated in Bushmills Presbyterian Church

Rifleman Hugh McCallum 18198
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 22

 

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Enlisted: Ballymoney, September 1914
Born: Bushmills on 13/10/1893
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Daniel and Mrs. McCallum, Bushmills
No known grave

Commemorated in Bushmills Presbyterian Church

Rifleman Jackson McCaughan 2749
'D' Company Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 18

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Enlisted: Bushmills
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Daniel McCaughan, Main Street
Daniel McCaughan married Mary Slane (Eagry) in Billy Parish Church in 25th July 1894.

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Rifleman James McConaghy 1616
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 22

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills on 7/2/1894
Resided: Bushmills
Son of James and Mary McConaghy, labourer, Bushmills
Family - James 7/2/1894; Rachel Jane 8/1/1899; Martha 19/9/1902
Lived in Back Lodge, Dundarave

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Rifleman John McGowan 19687
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 19

Enlisted: Belfast September 914
Born: Ballymena
Resided: Ballymena
Son of William and Jane McGowan of King Street, Ballymena
Employer: Ballymena Urban Council
No known grave

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

 

Both brothers John and James (opposite) went to the front with the Ulster Division. It is understood that one brother went to the assistance of the other and they were both killed, fighting together.

Rifleman James McGowan 6190
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 18

Enlisted: Ballymena (Protestant Hall) May 1915
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Ballymena
Son of William and Jane McGowan of King Street, Ballymena
Employer: Braidwater Spinning Mill, Ballymena
No known grave

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Rifleman Matthew McKay 659
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 21

 

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial
 Pier 15
Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Rachel Dobbin (formerly McKay) of Bushmills and the late David McKay who had a family of 4 sons and 2 daughters - David, Thomas William, Matthew, Martha and Eliza
The family had emigrated to America but returned following the death of David McKay

Rifleman William McCurdy 631
11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 19

Enlisted: Clandeboye
Born: Castlecatt on 23/7/1896
Resided: Castlecatt, Bushmills
Son of Mrs. Mary McKeown (formerly McCurdy), Castlecatt, Bushmills
John Martin McKeown (Ballyness) married Mary Currie (Billy) in Billy Parish Church on 4th March 1903 and had family - Ethel 16/3/1908; Annie Ross 18/9/1907; William Norman 10/3/1920; Martin 26/2/1904

Rifleman William John Morrow 2650
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916
Aged 20

Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Bushmills 1896/1897
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Robert and Elizabeth Morrow, Bushmills who had a family of 3 boys and 2 girls - Charlie, Sammy, William John, Susan and Sarah Ann, Sarah Ann died in 1916 aged 16
Charlie Morrow married Ethel Weir, sister of Archie Weir on 23/7/1919

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Commemorated in Bushmills Presbyterian Church

Lance Corporal Samuel Mulholland 3561
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Coleraine
Resided: Coleraine and Revallagh, Priestland
Family originated from Limavady

 

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

Photograph of the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Rifleman James Verner 19235
'D' Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Enlisted: Ballymoney
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Bushmills
James and Annie Verner had a family of four - Annie 24/8/1909; Edward 26/5/1911; William 6/11/1912; Jane 8/1/1916

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Pier 15

 



Army Service Corps British Expeditionary Force, France 1915
Showing, seated, middle row extreme right, Robert Quigg, V.C.
Rifleman Samuel Speers 556
18th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Died 7th July 1916
Aged 35

Enlisted: Clandeboye, September 1914
Born: Bushmills
Son of John Speers
Employee of the Giants' Causeway Electric Tramway Co.

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Buried in Dunluce Parish Churchyard, Bushmills on 10th July 1916

Employees of the Giants' Causeway Electric Tramway Co.

Back row: George Cochrane, Jubilee Maxwell
Front row: Tom Sloan, Neill Weir, ? McMullan

Black - In Loving memory of my husband, John Black, killed in action, July 1st.

I little thought when we parted last
He would no more return;
Now he lies in a soldier's grave,
And I am left to mourn.

So now, though my heart is breaking,
And my tears of anguish flow,
I say, with pride, for his King he died,
And who would not have it so?

When days are dark and friends are few,
Dear daddy, how we long for you.

Mary J. Black

Chronicle 22/7/1916
Bushmills

The following is a list of the casualties of the men of the North Antrim Regiment, Ulster Volunteers, R.I.R., Bushmills and district:-
Killed - Sergeant Isaac Dean, Privates Charles Esdale, John Cochrane, Aird.

Wounded - Corporal Dan Martin, Aird; Lance-Corporal R. McNabb, Islandcarragh; Privates Charles Hattie, William Hatty; Daniel Laverty, Priestland; Sam Mitchell, William McKeague, William Morrow, Chas. Hughes; B. Hamilton, Ballytober; William Jamison, Giant's Causeway; Sam Carson, Ballyrock; Joe McLaughlin, Revallagh; Alex. Craig, Ballyhunsley; Robert McCallum, Thomas Kennedy, James McConaghy, Stanalane; Jim McGowan, William King (Y.C.V.), William Laverty (Y.C.V.) Priestland

Died of Wounds - Private Isaac Macallister

Missing - Lance-Corporal Sam Mulholland, Revallagh; Lance-Corporal Hugh McCallum, Private James Verner, George Cochrane, Jack McCaughan, Matthew McKay, Ballyclough; Robert Carson, Bushfoot

The Boys from Old Bushmills
Northern Constitution 28/12/1917

Room, room, rhyme, brave gallant boys;
Come give us room to rhyme;
Can we forget our fighting lads
All on this Christmas time?
From Flanders to Salonica.
From the Yser and Bagdad too,
To the City of Jerusalem,
Our hearts go out to you.

Out from our homes of comfort
To you in the trenches vile,
And to the lads in German hands
Our thoughts go out awhile;
Out to the far-flung battlefields,
From France to Zion hills,
Greeting we send to the lads we love -
The boys from Old Bushmills.

Alike to the Purple heroes,
And to the modest green,
We send our kindest wishes
And a sympathy we wean;
With noble thoughts and kindly words
Our breasts with fire instills
At the brave deeds done and victories won
By the boys of Old Bushmills.

And our hard hearts melt to tenderness
When we remember our gallant dead,
Who in the fight have fallen
In the fields so widely spread.
Their names shall ne'er fade from our memory,
Where their graves are who can say?
But rejoicing, we'll meet them in glory
At the dawning of the day.

They came from every colony,
Their names a page of history fills,
Those noble hearts who fought and died -
The boys of Old Bushmills

 

Chronicle 30/11/1918
THE ULSTER DIVISION
(Composed by a few of "the boys")

When home from France in London,
And walking down the Strand,
Ricardo met Sir Edward,
Who clasped him by the hand.
Saying, "I'm proud of you, St. Quentin,
And your gallant Fusiliers;
I'm told they are the terror
Of the Prussian Grenadiers."

Ah! had you been at Thiepval
When the guns began to roar,
And Kelly, with his Orange Sash,
The boys led on before;
The Ninth, the Tenth, the Eleventh,
Went cheering side by side,
And stormed the German trenches
With valour and with pride.

The "support" lines were quite spellbound,
And never gave a hand
To those gallant Inniskillings who
Fought Germans hand-to-hand.
They won for Ulster glory
At Cambrai and Messines;
And showed the German hordes once more
What Ulster really means.

And then again, at Langemarcke,
When the tide of battle turned,
When fighting 'midst the pill-boxes
All danger they had spurned.
They fought for God and Ulster
On that blood-stained battle-field,
And proved in face of the whole world
They would rather die than yield.

They may boast of gallant soldiers
From every land and clime;
But Ulster tops the top-most
With deeds which were sublime.
Their motto, still before them,
Gave courage in the fight -
"For God, for King, for Country,
For Freedom and for Right!"

B.F.P. 27/7/1916
AN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN

Many a gallant soldier sleeps
On a battle-field beyond the sea,
But faithful memory fondly keeps
One stalwart form so dear to me.
Far, far away he nobly stood,
In brave defence of Freedom's cause;
Far, far from home he shed his blood,
And won a nation's warm applause.

And not alone our gracious King,
But an anxious world in wonder gazed,
Upon their deeds, 'midst war's red scene,
Where mangled forms in heaps were raised.
All mourn their loss, for many a home
In the Ulster part of Erin's shore
Is dark in gloom: Yes; Sorrow's throne
Now stands where joy was known before.

Ulster! thy name on History's page
Shines brightly, no dishonouring stain
To thee belongs: where dangers rage
Thy gallant heroes laurels gain.
'Gainst Kaiser Bill your sons have fought,
An honoured fight we make it too;
Though dearly was the victory bought
Which did the boasting Hun subdue.

Beside full many an Ulster church
Will cenotaphs be raised to tell
On sculptured stone, a funeral pall
Of those who, gallantly fighting, fell.
And while we stand in silent glaze
At the tribute raised to tell their name,
We'll sadly think of those now gone,
The Ulstermen of glorious fame.

Farewell! Farewell!! brave Ulstermen,
Your toll and hardships now are o'er,
No trumpet call, nor slaughtering gun,
Shall o'er disturb your slumbers more.
Farewell! ye bravest and ye best,
Your far-off graves on foreign shore -
We cannot see, but, truth confessed,
Your names shall shine for evermore.

                           Thomas J. McKaig

To The Ulster Heroes
Erchie Nuhan, England

The glory of July the 1st shall live when we are dead and gone,
The story of the dauntless few be passed from father down to son,
The bloody path on which they trod, death stared each valiant in the face,
But Ulster's loyal, noble sons swept proudly on nor eased their pace.

What cared they for the price they paid? their Ulster blood was raging hot. And only time alone can tell what havoc on the foe they wrought.
With "No Surrender" for their shout, that Maiden City cry of old.
They rushed through shrapnel, hail and lead; but half they did will ne'er be told.

Our brothers, schoolmates one and all, to them we gave our fullest trust.
We knew full well that nought but Haig could stop them 'cept they bit the dust. Their lives they offered free and gave, the spirit of their fathers true;
While loved ones wept through death they swept, no fear those noble heroes knew.

The sun rose on that fateful first: his beams proud pointing to the west.
When "Charge!" went ringing down the line: the parapet they nobly breast.
Cross "No Man's Land" that noble band, 'mid screaming salvo, shot and shell:
Quite undismayed as on parade they sweep right into very hell.

With first trench taken and steel red dyed and many loved ones in their gore,
The Ulster lads sent up a shout; and charging on through hell they tore;
The second trench, the third, the fourth, still Ulster charges nobly on,
'Twas in that bloody battle charge, poor mother, there you lost your son;

He sleeps serene 'mid clash of guns, that boy you fondled to your breast,
A hero's grave he richly earned, a rude stone marks the place he rests.
Oh. mother, father, sister, wife, 'tis hard to think he won't return:
But know that One can heal the wound that causes you to weep and mourn.

He earned the earthly king's V.C.. your manly, noble-hearted son,
But better far to waft from war and hear the Master's rich "Well done."
Your gallant boy has glory earned, he died to earn undying fame,
And on fame's scroll with purest gold inscribe his never-dying name.

And by the grave where sleeps the brave the "Last Post" sound and drop a tear.
And raise your hand, that noble brand that marks the Ulster Volunteer.

Our Ulster Volunteers
Jeanie Johnston, Coleraine

We say good-bye as they march on
And we send them off with cheers
We praise these manly fellows -
Our Ulster Volunteers

We say "How sad is the parting,
How heavy and sore the heart!"
But our men have got to go forward
And play a soldier's part.

We clasp the hand as a farewell,
With many a tear and sigh
For these brave young Irish fellows,
Ready to fight and die.

They march along light-hearted,
With only a passing glance,
As they go to face their cruel foe
On the blood-stained fields of France.

We ask the lord to bless them
And guide them day by day,
And stand by their side as they march along
Life's rough and rocky way.

They have left their wives and children,
To answer duty's call,
And fight for King and country
Where hundred thousands fall.

God bless their anxious ones at home,
Them comfort day by day;
For the women and the children
Have the hardest part to play.

But when they win the victory -
Yes, when the war is o'er,
We'll welcome back those heroes
To their native town once more.


12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Crawfordsburn   -   X = Lance Corporal Samuel Mulholland

Rifleman Robert McClements 1462
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action 24th March 1918
Aged 21

Enlisted: Scotland
Born: Islandbraddagh 1/8/1896 - 13/7/1897
Resided: Ballymagarry
Son of John and Margaret Jane McClements who had 3 sons and 3 daughters
Before enlisting Robert McClements was a carpenter

Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Pozieres Memorial, France, Panels 74-76

Private Hugh Gault 6142
2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Killed in Action 28th March 1918

Enlisted: Edinburgh
Born: Bushmills 28/3/1918
Resided: Kilcoobin, Bushmills
Son of Sammy and Ellie Gault of Kilcoobin, Bushmills who had a family of 7 sons and 3 daughters - Katie (married S. Mitchell), James, John, Hugh, Sammy, Nellie (married D. McCallum), William, Alex, Stewart and Margaret.

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France, Plot 15, Row B, Grave 1

photo of Hugh and James Gault


Lieutenant Thomas Patrick Craig
7th Battalion Leinster Regiment
Killed in Action 22nd March 1918
Aged 27

Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Ovillers-La Boiselle, Panel 78

Born: Liscolman 24/2/1891
Resided: Liscolman
No known grave
Son of Samuel and Mrs. Craig, owners of The Mill, Liscolman

Commemorated in Billy Parish Church

Named on Dervock War Memorial

Rifleman Frederick McCallum 6910
2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 24th March 1918

Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 74-76

Enlisted: Holywood
Born: Bushmills
No known grave


Rifleman James Connor 1765
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Died of Wounds 29th March 1918
Aged 32

St. Souplet British Cemetery, France, Plot 1, Row H, Grave 22

Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Bushmills
Son of John and Ellen Connor

Private John McEachern 725149
75th Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment
Killed in Action 28th April 1918
Aged 32

Commemorated on Vimy Memorial, France

Born: 1/12/1885
Son of John Neil McEachern and Sarah McCullagh McEachern of Woodville, Ontario
No known grave

Commemorated in Bushmills Presbyterian Church


Private Andrew Wilkinson 43952
10th Battalion Essex Regiment (Formerly 13322 Royal Irish Fusiliers)
Killed in Action 8th August 1918
Aged 33

Buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France, Plot 8, Row A, Grave 16

Enlisted: Coleraine
Born: Bushmills
Resided: Bushmills

Andrew Wilkinson is thought to be the son of Rose Wilkinson and Andrew McKenzie mentioned in records in Billy Parish Church. If that is the case he was born on 19th April 1885

Private Alexander Elliott 2378741
27th Battalion Manitoba Regiment
Killed in Action 26th August 1918
Aged 26

Wancourt British Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row A, Grave 14

Enlisted: Canada
Born: Turfahun, Bushmills 24/5/1891
Son of Elias and Esther Elliott of Turfahun, Bushmills

Commemorated in Bushmills Presbyterian Church

Private Thomas Forgrave McConaghy 29426
14th Battalion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry

Died of Wounds 21st August 1918
Aged 23

Born: Runkerry 9/11/1894
Resided: Runkerry (Ardihannon)
Son of John and Susan (Forgrave) McConaghy of Runkerry, Bushmills

Commemorated in Billy Parish Church

Bellacourt Military Cemetery, Riviere, France, Plot 3, Row E, Grave 1

I have been unable to find any living relative and must thank Mrs. Maudie McNeill of Portballintrae, for the photograph and some of the information about Thomas... R. Thompson

Rifleman Wilson Fullerton 42075
2nd Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Died of Wounds 17th September 1918
Aged 36

Enlisted: New Zealand
Born: Dublin 6/9/1882
Resided: Wellington, New Zealand
Son of Margaret and Edward Fullerton of Bushmills
One of a family of 4 sons and 4 daughters, he trained as an architect and builder of houses in New Zealand.

Commemorated in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, France, Plot 4, Row E, Grave 9

Private John McBride 6429
2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment
Killed in Action 27th September 1918
Aged 18

Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France, Panel 5


Enlisted: November 1916
Born: Bushmills
Son of Margaret McBride and grandson of John McBride, MacLellan Street, Glasgow
No known grave

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Rifleman Andrew Bennett 22296
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 14th October 1918
Aged 19

Interred in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium Plot 1, Row D, Grave 3

Enlisted: Stirling in Scotland
Born: Blackstoun, Scotland 5/9/1899
Son of Alexander and Mary Bennett (nee McGoogan/McGuigan)
The Bennetts moved between Scotland and Northern Ireland and were married in Dunluce Presbyterian Church

Private Thomas McFaul 20951
2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Died of Wounds 29th September 1918
Aged 27

Enlisted: Coleraine
Born: Priestland, Bushmills 21/11/1891
Resided: Priestland, Bushmills
Son of Campbell and Esther McFaul

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium, Plot 2, Row B, Grave 6

Rifleman William John Bell 49269
1st Battalion Rifle Brigade

Killed in Action 1st November 1918
Aged 18

Born: Cove, Buncrana 3/11/1899
Resided: Ballyoglagh, Bushmills
Son of Robert George and Mary Jane Kelly Bell

Commemorated in Toberkeigh Presbyterian Church

Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France, Panel 10

photo of 20th R.I.R. 'D' Coy. May 1918


William Bell at arrow

Lance Corporal Joseph Lyons Thompson 44803
3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Killed in Action 4th November 1918
Aged 29

Born: Ballybogey 30/11/1888
Lived: Auckland, New Zealand
Enlisted: Auckland, New Zealand
Son of Robert and Martha Thompson (nee Lyons) of Ballylough, Bushmills

Commemorated in Ballywatt Presbyterian Church

Interred in Romeries Communal Cemetery Ext. France, Plot 9, Row A, Grave 8

Two brother also joined, James 28/4/1886 R.A.M.C. and Wm. Thomas 10/12/1896

Private Robert Glass 241728
1st/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Killed in Action 13th November 1917
Aged 31

Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Glass, husband of Annie Armstrong Glass, 16 Sharon Street, Dalry, Ayrshire, Native of Auchengree, Glengarnock

Ramleh War Cemetery Ref. O. 18

Private J. Wilson 23248
10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 24th June 1917
Aged 30

Son of James Wilson, husband of Sarah Wilson, Upper Main Street, Bushmills

Interred Messines Ridge Cemetery, Plot 6, Row B, Grave 20

Wilson was a Milburn, Coleraine lad who got married and came to live in Bushmills.

He is not named on Coleraine War Memorial


Rifleman Alexander Weir 2750
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Died 23rd January 1919
Aged 22

Dunluce Church of Ireland, Bushmills

Born: Bushmills 13/12/1897
Resided: Bushmills
Son of Mrs. Margaret Weir and the late Neal Weir of Church Street, Bushmills
He died after release as a P.O.W.

Commemorated in Dunluce Parish Church

Private Hugh Purcell 31302
1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 6th October 1919
Aged 45

Madras Memorial, India, Face 34.

Born: Bushmills 15/1/1874
Resided: Bushmills
Son of James and Jane Purcell (nee Boyd)

Buried in Lebong Cantarment Cemetery


Rifleman Robert John Morrow 951
11th Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier 15, Faces A & B
Enlisted: Portrush
Born: Dunluce


Lance Corporal Robert John Richmond Gilmore 12826
8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 2nd July 1916

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier 15, Faces A & B
Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Bushmills


Corporal John Kane 209
15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Died of Wounds 9th June 1917
Aged 26

Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Plot 4, Row C, Grave 11
Son of Jos. ) Annie Kane, Portrush

Sergeant Walter Thomas Gueston 17775
as Gulston, Walter Charles in CWGC
15th Royal Irish Rifles
Died of Wounds 28th April 1918
Aged 23

Interred in Bologne Eastern Cemetery, France. Plot 9, Row A, Grave 45
Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Portballintrae
Son of Henry and Ellen Gueston, 10 Brookhill Avenue, Belfast
as Gulston in CWGC


Private Samuel Kane 1139
1st/5th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Killed in Action 12th July 1915

Helles Memorial Panel 183 and 184

Private James Boyle 8871
2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Killed in Action 25th September 1915
Aged 18

Son of James and Mary Boyle, 29 Trafalgar Street, Greenock
Cambrin Churchyard Ext. Ref. C. 4


Lance Corporal Ernest Walter Shields 18757
12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Commemorated in Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier 15, Faces A & B

Private W. J. McGhee 200757
1st/5th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Killed in action 1st August 1918

Oulchy-Le-Chateau Churchyard Ext. Plot 1, Row B, Grave 3


Private John McIlhargy 27292
1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, France, Plot 4, Face D, Pier 5, Face B.
Enlisted: Londonderry
Born: Parish of Dunluce

Corporal Robert Boyd McNeill 116
15th Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 1st July 1916

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier 15, Faces A & B
Enlisted: Belfast
Born: Bushmills


Hugh and James Gault

William McMullan lived in Lurgan Row, Bushmills, with his mother and served throughout the war.

He was severely wounded towards the end and never really recovered, he died from his wounds in 1923.

 

Part 2