Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Research A Soldier

145791014

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    The 1st battalion had been in France since March 1916,Dunkirk was a seaplane base but also a French hospital centre,it's possible that Thomas was injured and was been evacuated from Dunkirk back to England destined to be on board one of the hospital ships that used the port,Dunkirk according to the CWGC estimates that 7,500 shells fell on the town.His medal index card does show that he drowned but no ship seems to have been sunk on this day near there so one would assume that he suffered from enemy action or something accidental happened.Maybe a war diary would be the way to go on this,a RAMC or Naval diary may have some mention for that day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    arnhem44 wrote: »
    The 1st battalion had been in France since March 1916,Dunkirk was a seaplane base but also a French hospital centre,it's possible that Thomas was injured and was been evacuated from Dunkirk back to England destined to be on board one of the hospital ships that used the port,Dunkirk according to the CWGC estimates that 7,500 shells fell on the town.His medal index card does show that he drowned but no ship seems to have been sunk on this day near there so one would assume that he suffered from enemy action or something accidental happened.Maybe a war diary would be the way to go on this,a RAMC or Naval diary may have some mention for that day.

    Once again....
    thanks for the replies..Thomas had three children ,my grandfather and two grandaunts..and I can remember seeing their dates of birth and what you say about him being home tallys up with the conceiving and birth of one of the children.I knew about the French military hospital..
    If I could trouble you a little more ..how would I see his medal index and get a look at war diaries..?
    Thanks for your time.
    JD


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    Here is his medal index card.Regarding the war diaries,these are down-loadable from the National Archives in the UK but you would have to establish who's diary you need,each corps or regiment would be attached to different divisions serving in different areas and not all kept diaries,in truth it's only a slim chance to find something but may possibly yield some info.

    War Diary info
    http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/war-diaries.asp


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    arnhem44 wrote: »
    Here is his medal index card.Regarding the war diaries,these are down-loadable from the National Archives in the UK but you would have to establish who's diary you need,each corps or regiment would be attached to different divisions serving in different areas and not all kept diaries,in truth it's only a slim chance to find something but may possibly yield some info.

    War Diary info
    http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/war-diaries.asp

    Thanks.....JD


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    mattjack wrote: »
    Thanks for the prompt reply Johnny...Brian Burke is my fathers cousin..I have all that info from Brian already.....a name of a ship would be a little bit of extra information.I believe it was most likely some sort of small troop carrier/lighter type of boat that sunk.His headstone shows he is buried with an unidentified sailor, I,ve been told that this may suggest a fire/engine room type explosion where the sailors body was badly damaged.
    Once again thanks for your reply.
    JD.

    generally, the crew of a ship would be known. If one single sailor died in the vicinity of Dunkirk it wouldn't matter if his body was burnt to a crisp, they would know his name as the rest of the crew would be able to answer the roll call. If there were other sailors killed and unidentifiable it would be understandable if unnamed. A single sailor's body washed ashore from further afield than Dunkirk might go unnamed.

    Would you be able to upload a photo of the headstone?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    generally, the crew of a ship would be known. If one single sailor died in the vicinity of Dunkirk it wouldn't matter if his body was burnt to a crisp, they would know his name as the rest of the crew would be able to answer the roll call. If there were other sailors killed and unidentifiable it would be understandable if unnamed. A single sailor's body washed ashore from further afield than Dunkirk might go unnamed.

    Would you be able to upload a photo of the headstone?


    its not a great pic.....
    Picture 049.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    might not be a clear picture but there's not doubting what it says. Have you had any conversations with the CWGC re the grave at all? There might be something in their archives.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    arnhem44 wrote: »
    The 1st battalion had been in France since March 1916,Dunkirk was a seaplane base but also a French hospital centre,it's possible that Thomas was injured and was been evacuated from Dunkirk back to England destined to be on board one of the hospital ships that used the port,Dunkirk according to the CWGC estimates that 7,500 shells fell on the town.His medal index card does show that he drowned but no ship seems to have been sunk on this day near there so one would assume that he suffered from enemy action or something accidental happened.Maybe a war diary would be the way to go on this,a RAMC or Naval diary may have some mention for that day.

    Brendan,

    just wanted to follow up on your tag line re DD Sheehan. The more I keep reading about this man and his family the more I'm compelled to find out more.

    Johnny


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    Hi Johnny,this should be interesting and useful then.The Southern Star newspaper archives,put D D Sheehan in the search box and it will bring up countless results.The man led a colourful life and things from his early days right through are covered here. http://www.irishnewsarchive.com/Default/Skins/SST/Client.asp?Skin=SST&enter=true&AppName=2&AW=1310119861696


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    I just received the Silver War Badge rolls for all Officers, Guards, Tank Corps, Nursing, Royal Flying Corps, Army Cyclists and other small Corps and Machine Gun Corps.
    Anyone looking for a look-up just post the numbers here.
    Cheers.
    Tom.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    thanks for that.

    I have a thread on the go at the moment on GWF re one of his sons

    http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=165905&st=0&p=1614089&hl=sheehan&fromsearch=1&#entry1614089


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    thanks for that.

    I have a thread on the go at the moment on GWF re one of his sons

    http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=165905&st=0&p=1614089&hl=sheehan&fromsearch=1&#entry1614089

    I'll have to keep an eye on that one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Hey,

    I'm trying to research my great-grandfather. His name was Frank (or Francis) O'Neill, and he was a Private in the Irish Guards during WWI, regiment number 7274. I'm basically wondering where I could find, or anyone here could find, when he joined up, where he fought, etc. It is as much for me as it is my Grandfather, his son. Also, are there any Army records which would show his DOB and other info, as no one in my family knows that either.

    Any help will be greatly appreciated, by me and my Grandfather.

    Thanks in advance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 588 ✭✭✭R.Dub.Fusilier


    Conchir wrote: »
    Hey,

    I'm trying to research my great-grandfather. His name was Frank (or Francis) O'Neill, and he was a Private in the Irish Guards during WWI, regiment number 7274. I'm basically wondering where I could find, or anyone here could find, when he joined up, where he fought, etc. It is as much for me as it is my Grandfather, his son. Also, are there any Army records which would show his DOB and other info, as no one in my family knows that either.

    Any help will be greatly appreciated, by me and my Grandfather.

    Thanks in advance.

    I have attached your g. grandfathers medal index card he landed in France 17-8-1915 and was discharged on 14-3-1916 and was entitled to the 1915 Trio of medals and the SWB for wounds received. he was later in the Liverpool regiment.

    can you tell us where he came from as there was a lot of frank o'neills in the british army


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Thank you very much for the quick reply! I'll be sure to pass on this information to my Grandfather the next time I see him.

    My great grandfather was from Dublin, the city centre somewhere. Thanks again for your help


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    Conchir wrote: »
    Thank you very much for the quick reply! I'll be sure to pass on this information to my Grandfather the next time I see him.

    My great grandfather was from Dublin, the city centre somewhere. Thanks again for your help

    Hi Conchir,if you contact the address below then they may have his record.The Guards regiments keep there own records and these escaped the bombing of London during WW2 when two thirds of records were destroyed.There is a price that would have to be paid for the search and this applies whether they find something or not so bear that in mind.

    The Regimental Archivist of the Irish Guards
    Wellington Barracks
    Birdcage Walk
    London
    SW1E 6HQ
    .

    Frank was attached to the 2nd battalion of the Irish Guards

    http://www.1914-1918.net/irisguards.htm

    2nd Battalion
    18 July 1915: formed at Warley Barracks in Essex.
    17 August 1915 : attached to 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division.
    8 February 1918: transferred to 4th Guards Brigade, 31st Division.
    20 May 1918 : transferred to GHQ Reserve

    Using the WW1 Army Service Numbers web site shows Franks number fitting into the date of enlistment as between March and April of 1915,maybe a reservist pre war

    http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/search/label/Irish%20Guards


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Thanks for your help arnhem. If I contacted that address, what type of information would I be able to find?

    Thanks also for the information on his battalion, greatly appreciated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    If they do have his record,it may have information such as age,birth parish,date of enlistment,his signature,height,hair colour,eye colour,chest size,distinguishing marks,next of kin,wife's name,children's names,marriage witnesses,medal information,hospital information,his career movements,details of his wounds,pension details and so on etc etc.Since you have his service number I would contact them,they in turn should contact you to tell you if they have the record or not and then explain the cost side of things.Every record varies from soldier to soldier,some have as little as one page of info,other's can have up to fifty so results are very varied if records exist.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Wow, if they had even one or two of those on record it would be great. I'll contact them so, thanks for the help.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    Enlisted 27-March-1915, discharged with wounds, aged 23 on 14-Marhc-1916, Served overseas. Number on the SWB was 339350.
    Regards.
    Tom.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    going on the info from Tom, he appears to have been born 1893. Was his full name Francis Bernard O'Neill, born 5th May 1893. Rotunda, Dublin; died 13th Sept 1979?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    I'm not sure of his full name. However I found him and his family on the census, only because he was the only Francis O'Neill living in Dublin who was the right age, and his father's name was Bernard, so it looks like you found the right one. Does this mean you have some more information on him?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Oh, his date of death sounds right too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    there is a tree on Ancestry. Father Bernard mother Mary Champion.

    2 brothers killed in 1915 :

    http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1622842
    from medal index card : 1914 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal

    http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1622832
    from medal index card : 1915 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal

    Ties in with the 1911 census record
    http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/North_City/Mary_St_/39612/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    I just asked my Dad, and he told me Francis actually died in 1950. I haven't seen the tree, does this change some of the information?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    if your Francis died in 1950 then it's unlikely that it's the same Francis. The Francis in the Ancestry tree was married to a Mary/Mollie McFarlane (1898-1991).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    No, that's not right unfortunately. Seems like I found the wrong Francis on the census. I'll have to check with my grandad to see if he had any brothers or sisters and find him on the census after that. Thanks anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    have you got a copy of his death cert or marriage cert?

    Any medals in the family that might give hints to brothers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    The will be a show in Camden Fort on Saturday week and Sunday week. One of the display tables will have War Dead Databases.Lookups will be free, mainly covering the Great War. All the reference material you know regarding ww1 and more.
    Cheers.
    Tom.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 210 ✭✭tyview


    Hi All,

    I've just today found out my gt grandmothers brother Michael Case died in the war and found his details on the CWGC website:

    I'm just wondering what the "C" Coy means? I've read as much as I can in the last few hours and from what I can make out, the 1st bn was demobilised in 1918. Would this be right? If so I'm wondering why his DOD states 1921. Any help appreciated! Sorry if this duplicates another post, still trying to get through all the thread
    Casualty Details

    Name:CASEY, MICHAELInitials:MNationality:United KingdomRank:PrivateRegiment/Service:Connaught RangersUnit Text:"C" Coy., 1st Bn.Age:33Date of Death:18/04/1921Service No:7143146Additional information:Son of Maurice and Julia Casey, of 48, Beresford St., Dublin.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:3. C. 1.Cemetery:RAWALPINDI WAR CEMETERY


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    "C" COY means C company.D of D ..he may have died in a military hospital in 1921


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 210 ✭✭tyview


    Thanks Matt, hadn't considered him being in hospital!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    tyview wrote: »


    the 1st bn was demobilised in 1918. Would this be right? If so I'm wondering why his DOD states 1921.


    not sure where the info re 1st Battn being demobilised in 1918 comes from. They were in Palestine in 1918. 6th Battn ceased to exist in 1918. 1st and 2nd Battalions were disbanded in 1922 with the creation of the Irish Free State. The Connaught Rangers Mutiny in June 1920 was initiated by men of the 1st Battalion, C Company.

    The CWGC cut off date for WW1 deaths is 31st August 1921. He needn't have been in hospital. Daly who was shot for mutiny in November 1920 was still entitled to a CWGC commemoration

    http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1498907

    as was John Miranda who died in prison post mutiny

    http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1481689


    For Michael Casey, his number 7144229 is one issued after the Army re-numbering exercise carried out in August 1920. I cannot find a WW1 medal card for a Michael Casey for this number. Any chance that there are any medals in the family for him to confirm number/regiment during 1914-1919?

    You might like to adopt his record on Findagrave :

    http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=casey&GSfn=michael&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1921&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=23737593&df=all&


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    The Connaught Rangers were allocated the block 7143001 thru to 7177000 in August 1920.

    There was an order to the renumbering exercise, seniority, number, service meant that you appeared higher in the new numbering.

    7143002 went to the RSM,, J Callaghan/Callinan
    WO Class I John Pont was issued 7143006. His previous number was 4796

    5369 James Duncan became 7143010
    6373 Albert Stanton became 7143017

    9045 George Bonnick became 714143
    possibly, 9088 Michael Casey became 7143146

    35038 John Miranda became 7144229
    35232 James Daly became 7144396


    9088 Private Michael Casey was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal having entered the Balkans ie Gallipoli (the 5th Battalion was formed in Dublin in August 1914 and sent to Gallipoli) 2nd Oct 1915. There's a note to say 1743 KR 1912 (King's Regulations 1912, paragraph 1743 - couldn't deliver the medals which were then to be kept in store for 10 years before being destroyed)

    http://www.naval-military-press.com/record-of-the-5th-service-battalion-the-connaught-rangers-from-19th-august-1914-to-17th-january-1916.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 210 ✭✭tyview


    The Connaught Rangers were allocated the block 7143001 thru to 7177000 in August 1920.

    There was an order to the renumbering exercise, seniority, number, service meant that you appeared higher in the new numbering.

    7143002 went to the RSM,, J Callaghan/Callinan
    WO Class I John Pont was issued 7143006. His previous number was 4796

    5369 James Duncan became 7143010
    6373 Albert Stanton became 7143017

    9045 George Bonnick became 714143
    possibly, 9088 Michael Casey became 7143146

    35038 John Miranda became 7144229
    35232 James Daly became 7144396


    9088 Private Michael Casey was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal having entered the Balkans ie Gallipoli (the 5th Battalion was formed in Dublin in August 1914 and sent to Gallipoli) 2nd Oct 1915. There's a note to say 1743 KR 1912 (King's Regulations 1912, paragraph 1743 - couldn't deliver the medals which were then to be kept in store for 10 years before being destroyed)

    http://www.naval-military-press.com/record-of-the-5th-service-battalion-the-connaught-rangers-from-19th-august-1914-to-17th-january-1916.html


    Thank you so much, feel like I've loads of info on him now and to think this time yesterday he was only a name on the 1901 census.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 210 ✭✭tyview


    duplicate..sorry


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    realised that I placed the worng number in the text

    "For Michael Casey, his number 7144229 is one issued after the Army re-numbering exercise".

    Sorry about that.

    Haven't been able to confirm that 7143146 was 9088 so at the moment it's just a theory. It is possible that your man didn't serve in WW1 or possibly served in another regiment. If there were any medals in the family they would help confirm or disprove the theory.

    it would be worthwhile trying to delve into some material re the Connuaght Rangers Mutiny to see if there is any reference to him. He's not on the list Brendan Lee has put together

    http://www.irishmedals.org/gpage6.html

    but there might be something lurking in a newspaper archive or book.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,967 ✭✭✭mrmac


    Hi everyone, due to some rare circumstances, I've found myself in Belgium for a few weeks! I was up in Leper (Ypes) for a day last week, and visited the Flanders Museum, the Menin Gate, and Tyne Cot Cemetry - and was honestly moved by the scale of the un-ending list of Irish names!

    This got me to thinking about a name I heard many years ago, and all I could remember was a surname, and a location. By searching the CWGC website, I found who I was looking for: Joseph Dougal.

    Find A Grave link.

    A quick search on google maps, tells me it's little over a 2 hour drive from here to the Serre cemetry, and I feel compelled to go there, just to pay my respect to my great, great uncle. I might never get such an opportunity again.

    I have no idea how to find any further details about him, how he died, how he lived - any direction/assistance/help would be greatly appreciated.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,912 Mod ✭✭✭✭Ponster


    Unfortunately his service records seems to have been badly burned during the Blitz but there are still some available on Ancestry.com including the receipt that his sister Katie signed for his Victory Medal.

    You should try and find out what the Royal Irish Fusiliers (8th Bn) were doing and whee on the day of his death, 06/09/1916.

    A quick Google search says that the 8th Bn were part of the 16th Irish Division so try and find a chronology for the 16th online.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    22nd Bn, DLI, Born Eyremouth, Berwickshire and enlisted in North Shields, died of wounds. Formerly he was with the Northumberland Fusiliers where his number was 32873.
    Cheers.
    Tom.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    The 8th battalion do have a war diary for that time around your relatives death so it is possible to find out what was happening on those days,it most likely won't mention his name but might give you a better idea of events.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭arnhem44


    enfield wrote: »
    22nd Bn, DLI, Born Eyremouth, Berwickshire and enlisted in North Shields, died of wounds. Formerly he was with the Northumberland Fusiliers where his number was 32873.
    Cheers.
    Tom.
    Hi Tom,SDGW gives Joseph Dougal as been formely with the Royal Irish Regiment with a number of 3658 and birth and enlistment location of Newtown Cunningham Co.Donegal.

    He enlisted at the age of 19 and his occupation was that of a labourer,his mothers name was Jane and his fathers was Hugh,he had three sister's at the time there names been Nellie who was 30,katie 26 and Mary 24 living at a place called Moneygreggan.He enlisted on the 19/7/1915 into the 6th battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment and was posted to Kilworth Camp on the 22/7/1915,he then was transferred to the 8th battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the 14/10/1915.He was 5ft 10in tall with a chest measurement of 36 and a half inches weighing 146 pounds.He went to France on the 19/2/1916 embarking at Southampton and was promoted Acting Corporal on the 28/4/1916,the casualty document has details of his death but it's too faded to read.His Memorial Scroll was signed for by his Father(I think) on the 20th of May 1920 and his British War and Victory medal were signed for by his sister Katie on the 1st of September 1922.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    Arnham you are correct when I looked at
    'This got me to thinking about a name I heard many years ago, and all I could remember was a surname, and a location. By searching the CWGC website, I found who I was looking for: James Dougal.'

    I just searched for JAMES Dougal, my mistake it should have been Joseph.
    Cheers.
    Tomn,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    From 'The County Donegal Book of Honour' page 154.
    Cheers.
    Tom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,967 ✭✭✭mrmac


    enfield wrote: »
    Arnham you are correct when I looked at .........

    I just searched for JAMES Dougal, my mistake it should have been Joseph.
    Cheers.
    Tomn,

    Sorry Tom, my mistake, not yours - it is indeed Joseph Dougal.
    I have his War Medal at home, along with my teenage coin collection, but I haven't looked at this in over 20 years. I don't know what came over me, but looking at all those names on the Menin Gate, and row after row of white stones at Tyne Cot, just made me sad, and full of respect for the young men that died there.
    arnhem44 wrote: »
    Hi Tom,SDGW gives Joseph Dougal as been formely with the Royal Irish Regiment with a number of 3658 and birth and enlistment location of Newtown Cunningham Co.Donegal.

    He enlisted at the age of 19 .....

    WOW! That is fantastic information! I really do appreciate the effort you are making on my behalf! I know it is a very small payback, but I will be going to Serre Cemetery, with hopefully a re-visit to Tyne Cot, or one of the other Memorial sites - if there is any grave, or name engraving that you would like a picture of - don't hesitate to ask! If I can get there next week, I will happily do so.

    I'm not a sentimental kind of person, (my Wife can testify to that!), but such a vast loss of life, by so many young Irish men, cannot be forgotten. I honestly felt embarassed that I knew so little about this man, good or bad, rogue or hero - but killed in conflict, aged 20!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭enfield


    Dougal.jpg
    Cheers.
    Tom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭johnny_doyle


    the service document and the census records vary the surname between Dougal and Dougall :

    1911 census for the family
    http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Donegal/Newtown_Cunningham/Glar/500805/

    1901 census
    http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Newtowncunningham/Glar/1190920/

    The parents aged rapidly between 1901 and 1911 (the old age pension was introduced between those dates.....).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,967 ✭✭✭mrmac


    Thanks to everyone for their help, I'm amazed by your efforts, and the trouble you went to on my behalf.

    I jumped in the car and drove 140km to Serre No.2 Cemetery this morning. I stopped off at the 9th Scottish Memorial, and Point Du Jour cemetery on my way.

    I was taken aback by the number of graves at Serre - so many lives, so many graves of an "Unknown Soldier", so many families affected, so much pain.

    I sat there for over an hour, just thinking of what kind of hell those soldiers went through, nearly 100 years ago; and hope to heaven that my kids are never exposed to such horror.

    I hope to get a picture or two posted up soon.

    Thanks again to everyone - it is really appreciated.


  • Registered Users Posts: 48 CCMYPLAYMATE


    im in possesion of 2 ww1 medals and a queen mary christmas box belong to a Pte J Commiskey 4804 of the 7th batallion of the leinster regiment buried in carmin north of arras can any one help on how to get his service records as to find out where he might come from .. finding it difficult


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 588 ✭✭✭R.Dub.Fusilier


    im in possesion of 2 ww1 medals and a queen mary christmas box belong to a Pte J Commiskey 4804 of the 7th batallion of the leinster regiment buried in carmin north of arras can any one help on how to get his service records as to find out where he might come from .. finding it difficult

    here are 2 medal cards for the name and number above but i cant find any information at the moment about the KIA details, maybe someone else can help.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement