Rifleman William Rooney - Davy's Street, Carrickfergus

Ligny-St Flochel British Cemetery

Rifleman William Rooney - Service Number: 31176 - B Company 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles & Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Died of wounds sustained in battle 18th June 1918 aged 27.

Son of Mary Ann and Andrew Rooney and brother to Andrew Jnr, the family lived in 24 Davy's Street in Carrickfergus. Prior to the war he and his brother had worked as labourers in the local bleach works. William had originally enlisted with the Royal Irish Rifles before transferring to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

William was injured on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He was killed during fighting close to Arras in June 1918 and is buried at Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery (pictured) about 18 miles from Arras.

His family were all members of St Nicholas Church of Ireland in the Town . William is remembered on the Church war memorial.

 William was one of the co-authors of the following poem sent to the Carrickfergus Advertiser in 1915 by a number of local members of Number 6 Platoon"B Coy" 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles: