The Barn Mills Fallen, Carrickfergus.

Memorial to the workers of Barn Mills located in Carrickfergus Town Hall. 

The following entry contains information on all the employees of Barn Mills flax spinning mill killed in action during the Great War.  In total 15 employees were lost during the war including 6 from the same company who were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.  Also profiled is Private Samuel Hill who is regarded as the first solider of the 36th Ulster Division to be killed in action.  As always with these entries it is a work in progress and will all make up my book the Carrickfergus Roll of Honour.  If anyone has any additional information I would be very glad to hear it.  

NAME; Taylor, A

RANK; Captain

SERV. NO; N/A

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Scots

REGIMENT; 9th Battalion

BORN; Carrickfergus  circa 1872

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Killed in Action, 21st April 1917 aged 45

CEMETERY; LEVEL CROSSING CEMETERY, FAMPOUX – France -  I. B. 27.

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Barn Mills Memorial Plaque, Carrickfergus Town Hall

REMARKS: Worked in Barn Mills, Son of the late James Taylor and Helen Stewart Taylor; husband of Rhoda Macintyre White (formerly Taylor), of "Highlands," Taunton, Somerset. Born at Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim. M.A., LL.B. and Sheriff-Substitute of Forfar.

NAME; Lemon, Archibald D

RANK; Lieutenant

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Irish Rifles

REGIMENT; 12th Battalion

BORN; Castlereagh 2nd April 1875

LIVED; 38 Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus 1915

FATE; Killed in action at the Somme 1st July 1916 aged 41

CEMETERY; Body never recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15A and 15B

REMARKS; Archie Lemon was the son of Archibald Dunlap Lemon and Ellen Workman of Edgcumbe House, Strandtown,Belfast. He had two sisters, Ellen and Marie and one brother Edward.  He was educated at Methody College Belfast and was an active member of the County Antrim Yacht Club.  Before joining up with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles he lived in 38 Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus and worked as a flax spinning manager at Barn Mills.  The details of his death are well documented in the 12th Battalion war diary and with eye witness accounts.  The following extract comes from eye witness accounts:

No.6 Platoon, 12th R.I.R

This Platoon was under Lieut. Lemon and was made responsible for the RAILWAY SAP. The Platoon left our own trenches before Zero at the same tine and on the right of the 9th Royal Ir. Fus. but before reaching the RAVINE the whole Platoon with the exception of Lieut. Lemon and twelve men were all casualties. On reaching the RAVINE Lt. Lemon looked for some supports, but as none were available he advanced with his twelve men to enter the Sap. When he reached. the Sap he had only nine men left, but he entered the Sap at the Railway bank. L.Sergt. Millar and three men moved to the right to bomb down the Sap, but, these were soon all casualties. Lieut. Lemon and the remainder of the men advanced up the main Sap. The thick wires running into the first large tunnel was cut by Rfmn. Gamble who was the first bayonet man. There was a Machine-gun firing across the sap from the small tunnel. Lieut. Lemon, however, climbed above the small tunnel with some bombs in order to catch any Germans who might come out and sent the men on. Lieut. Lemon was then shot by two German Officers who fired their rifles at him from the top of a dug out which apparently led into the tunnel. The two German officers were afterwards killed by a bomb which exploded right at their feet. The remaining men got cut off between the 1st and 2nd German line and only two of them escaped.

Lieutenant Archie Lemon

Authuile Military Cemetery

NAME; Walker, Jerome Lennie

RANK; Lieutenant

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Irish Rifles

REGIMENT; 14th Battalion

BORN;

LIVED; Carrickfergus/ Whithead / Belgium

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed in action 6th May 1916  aged 27

CEMETERY; AUTHUILE MILITARY CEMETERY: France, D.58

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; Jerome Lennie Walker Son of F. Manderson Walker and Helen Lennie Walker of Mount Royal, Whitehead, Co. Antrim.  He attended Campbell College in Belfast between Sept 1903 and July 1905. His address whilst at the school was given as 31 Boulevard Vandenpeereboom, Courtrai (Belgium), where he was based when the War broke out. The school magazine, (The Campbellian Vol.III, p.256) adds "The family escaped during the first week, but [Jerome] remained behind and joined the Red Cross Society with his motor, and drove it until the Germans took possession of the town. He went to see the British troops enter Roulers [now Roeselare] and was unable to return to Courtrai, the Germans having blown up the railway. He managed to reach Ypres and stayed there during the three months of the bombardment, at one time living in a cellar for a fortnight". He then travelled to Belfast via London and obtained a Commission in 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 31 December 1914.  His father was a wealthy and successful flax merchant originally from Holland, I can only assume he must have done some work with Barn Mills Flax Mill during his time in the area.  

Lieutenant Jerome Walker 

 

NAME; Haggan (Hagan), Edward Samuel

RANK; Rifleman

Tyne Cot Memorial

SERV. NO; 17812

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Batt “B” Coy

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus – c. 1897

LIVED; Castle Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed in Action, France, August 16^th 1917 aged 20

CEMETERY; Body never recovered

CHURCH; Presbyterian

MEMORIAL; TYNE COT MEMORIAL (Belgium) - Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A

REMARKS; Son of Mr. Thomas and Margaret Haggan, of Castle Street, Carrickfergus and brother to Margaret, Nora, Thomas, William Mabel and Ezekiel. According to the 1911 census he worked as a machine boy probably in Barn Mills Flax Mill in the town. 

Edward was killed during the Battle of Langemarck on the 16th August 1917.  By 9am on August 16, the Division had been stopped in its tracks. Langemarck may have had Somme style casualties for the Division. There was no glory.

After the battle, General Oliver Nugent poured his heart out to his wife in an honest letter.

He wrote: “It has been a truly terrible day. Worse than 1st July, I am afraid. The whole division has been driven back with terrible losses. Our failure has involved the failure of the divisions on both sides of us and that is so bitter a pill.

“In July last year, we did our work but failed because the divisions on either flank failed us. This time it is our Ulster Division which has failed the army ... I am heartbroken over it.”

NAME; Hill, Samuel

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 19557

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Irish Rifles

REGIMENT; 12^th Battalion

BORN; Ayr circa 1882

LIVED; Dunloskin, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Died of Wounds – France and Flanders – 22^nd October 1915 aged 23

CEMETERY; Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension No. 1(France) – II. D. 1

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Hill, of Rushpark, Whitehouse, Belfast. Prior to signing up he worked on the floor of Barn Mills and like many of his colleagues joined up with the 12^th Battalion.  He was a fine footballer and the local papers of the time have many references to his performances with Barn Swifts Football Team.  Samuel Hill was the first man of the Ulster Division to be killed in action during the Great War.

Thiepval Memorial

NAME; Kerr, Hugh

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 18018

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus, 27th November 1888

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus 

FATE; Killed in Action, July 1^st 1916 aged 27

CEMETERY; Body nevered recovered

CHURCH; St Nicholas, COI, Carrickfergus

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial – Pier and Face 15a and 15b

REMARKS; Son of James and Eliza Kerr and brother to Margaret Ann, Ellen, Harriet, William John and Samuel.  Hugh took after his father and worked in Barn Mills flax mill.  He was killed in action on the 1st days of the Somme along with 7 others of the 12th Battalion from Carrickfergus.  

Rifleman Hugh Kerr

Le Touret Memorial, France

NAME; Kyles, James

RANK;Private / Fusilier

SERV. NO; 11096

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

REGIMENT; 2nd Battalion

BORN; Shankill, Belfast 1987

LIVED; 74 Irish Quarter South, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Killed in Action, France and Flanders – 16th May 1915 aged 18 possible Battle of Festubert

CEMETERY; Body never recovered

CHURCH; Roman Catholic

MEMORIAL; Le Touret Memorial – Panel 16 and 17

REMARKS; Son of James and Agnes Kyles and brother to Mary and Cornilius. Former employee of Barn Mills.

NAME; McAuley, Robert

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 9234

UNIT/SERVICE; 11^th/13^th Battalion – Cycling Corps

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Died of Wounds, France, March 21^st 1918 or 29^th March 1918??

CEMETERY; A.I.F. BURIAL GROUND, FLERS – (France) - XV H. 1.

CHURCH; St Nicholas, COI, Carrickfergus

MEMORIAL; St Nicholas, COI

REMARKS; Prior to enlisting Robbie worked at Barn Mills, he was a keen cyclist and joined the Cycling Corp of the Division. 

Robbie McAuley

NAME; Kirk, Francis

Thiepval Memorial

RANK; Rifleman

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Irish Rifles

REGIMENT; 12th Battalion

BORN; Whitehouse, CO. Antrim

LIVED; Davy’s Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Killed in Action, Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916

CEMETERY; Body never recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial (France) – Pier and Face 15A and 15B

REMARKS; Son of Mr T Kirk of Davy's Street, Carrickfergus, his brother Robert was also killed in action during the Great War. Before signing up with the 12th R.I.R he was an employee at Barn Mills.

Ham British Cemetery, France

NAME; Moore, Anthony

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 414

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus 1885

LIVED; Taylors Row, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Killed in Action, France, June 6^th 1918 aged 23

CEMETERY; Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette (France) - II E. 24

CHURCH; Methodist

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Anthony Moore was born in Taylor’s Row, Carrickfergus in 1897 – He was the son of Robert Moore a local butcher in the town and Margaret Moore and brother of William, Agnes, Mary, Robert and Thomas.  Prior to the war he worked as a mill hand at Barn Mills flax mill and a labourer at Sullatober bleach works.  He was also a popular and active member of the Sullatober Flute Band.  Anthony enlisted with the 12^th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 1915, he was Injured on the 2^nd July 1916 during the Somme offensive suffering from shock he was sent to hospital for a period of time.  After a period of recovery he returned to the front were he served gallantly, he was killed in action on June 6^th 1918 aged 23.  There is some doubt Anthony’s age; on his death he is reported as 23 however according to the census he was only 20 or 21.  It would appear like many young men at the time he had lied about his age and therefore enlisted when he was only 17. 

NAME; Owens, George Harvey

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 18587

UNIT/SERVICE; 12th Battalion “B” Coy

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus circa 1895

LIVED; 29 Albert Road, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Killed in Action, France, July 1st 1916 aged 21

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH; Joymount Presbyterian

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial (France) – Pier and Face 15A and 15B

REMARKS; Son of George and Martha Owens.  Brother to Margret, James, Lizzie, William, Sarah, Mary, Samuel, John and Cecil.  According to the 1911 census he worked as an apprentice fitter presumably in the Barm Mills spinning mill where he worked until he joined up with the 12th Battalion. 

Rifleman George Harvey Owens with his sister Margret

NAME; Partridge, Thomas

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 18604

UNIT/SERVICE; 12th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Belfast circa 1895

LIVED; Fairymount, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Killed in Action, France and Flanders – Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916 aged 21

CEMETERY; Unknown Grave

CHURCH; Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 15A and 15B

REMARKS; Son of Margaret Partridge (Scottish) (Widow), 9 Fairymount , Carrickfergus .  3 sisters Dorothy, Elizabeth and Sarah, Dorothy and Elizabeth were both flax spinners.  According to the 1911 census lived 21 Taylors Row, head of the family was Henry McAllister aged 21 possibly Thomas’ uncle, Margaret’s brother.  Thomas was an employee at Barn Mills spinning mill with his three sisters.  

Hamel Military Cemetery

NAME; Powers, William

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 444

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Killed in Action, France, July 1^st 1916

CEMETERY; HAMEL MILITARY CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL (France) - I. D. 10

CHURCH; St Nicholas, COI, Carrickfergus

MEMORIAL; St Nicholas, COI, Carrickfergus

REMARKS; Employee at Barn Mills flax spinning mill

NAME; Thomas, Charles

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 524

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Ballymacarrett, Co. Down circa 1895

LIVED; 47 Davy's Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast

FATE; Died of Wounds, France and Flanders 25^th July 1918 aged 23

CEMETERY; Berlin South Western Cemetery – I. H. 13

CHURCH; St Nicholas, Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; Son of Charles and Annie Thomas.  Brother to Mary, Georgeina, James and Joseph. Prior to enlisting Charles worked at Barn Mills flax mill with his sister Mary. According to a Carrickfergus Advertiser article in August 1916 Charles was wounded in action in July 1916 presumably at the Somme.  

NAME; Chambers, Bernard

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

RANK; Stoker

SERV. NO; 3353 S

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Naval Reserve

REGIMENT;  HMS “Invincible”

BORN; Carrickfergus – 28th March 1892

LIVED; 86 Irish Quarter South, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed as result of enemy action 31st May 1916 aged 24 (Battle of Jutland)

CEMETERY; Body not recovered for burial

CHURCH; Roman Catholic

MEMORIAL; PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL (England) – Panel 23

REMARKS; Son of William and Catherine Chambers, brother to William, Thomas, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Mary Anne and Bridford. Bernard was an employee at Barn Mills flax mill in the town.  Bernard was one of 1026 crew killed on board HMS Invincible when it was sunk during the Battle of Jutland, only 6 crew survived.

  

The following Obituary from one of his sisters appeared in Carrick Ad. June 16th 1916:

“Although he now at anchor lies

With many of the fleet

He will another day set sail

His plot, Christ to meet”  

H.M.S Invincible

Invincible blowing up 31st May 1916