Marine John Wallace - Royal Marine Light Infantry

NAME; Wallace, John

RANK; Marine / Seaman

SERV. NO; Unknown

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Marine Light Infantry

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Green Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; 1914

FATE; Died of Wounds, Home, 22 November 1917

CEMETERY; Victoria Cemetery, Carrickfergus

CHURCH; Joymount Presbyterian

REMARKS; John was born Carrickfergus in 1895, son of John and Ellen Wallace & brother of Jane, William, Agnes, Robert, Mary and Hugh.  He lived on Green Street and was member of Joymount Presbyterian Church.  During the war he served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry and saw action in Dardanelles from where he was invalided home and never recovered from his injuries. He died at his family home on Green Street on 22 November 1917. He received a full military funeral at Victoria Cemetery with military escort and firing party from 6^th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.  His funeral service was conducted by Rev J.Y Minford. 

Rifleman William Holmes - 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

NAME; Holmes, William

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 12/17890

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion - Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus, 8 December 1892

LIVED; Unknown

ENLISTED; Mossley, 1914

FATE; Killed in Action, France, 22 November 1917 aged 25

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH; Unknown

MEMORIAL; Cambrai Memorial, Louverval (France) – Panel 10

REMARKS; William Holmes was born in Carrickfergus on 8 December 1892 the son of Andrew and Martha Holmes (nee Mackey) and half brother to Agnes, George, Gladys and Margaret (his mother died when he was a young child and his father remarried Sarah Moore in 1899).  By 1911 he was living in Ballyclare with his family and working as a cleaner at local bleach green.  He joined the 12^th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Mossley in 1914 and following training was posted to France on active service in October 1915.  William was killed in action on 22 November 1917, his body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on panel 10 of Cambrai Memorial, Louverval (pictured).

Lieutenant John Hanna Adams - North Staffordshire Regiment

Remembering today 100 years on from the last day of the Battle of the Somme we remember Lieutenant John Hanna Adam - 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in Action, France 18th November 1916 aged 25.

John was born in Whitehead in 1891, the eldest son of Mr William George Adams and Emily F. Adams (nee Wright) and brother to Alfred and Kathleen. Prior to the war he worked for three years as a bank clerk for the Ulster Bank. After that he went into business with his uncle, Mr. Alfred Adams of North Street, Belfast. John was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force before he entered the Army.


John was commissioned into the Army on 12 July 1915 and was promoted to the rank of Second-Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment. He saw action in France, beginning service there on 29 May 1916. He was killed in action in Grandcourt on Saturday 18 November 1916. Even by December the best information available to newspapers like the Larne Weekly Telegraph was that he had been declared missing by the War Office.
His mother had to endure an agonizing wait for the sad news about her son. It was September the next year before the newspaper reported that his body had been found by British soldiers and buried. His grave is in Grandcourt Road Cemetery on the site of Ancre Battlefield in France (pictured). In bitter fighting, German advances captured it and the allies pushed them back twice over during the War. In the confusion of the Western Front it could take months’ for men to be officially confirmed dead.

A memorial service in St. Patrick’s Church was told that John “took an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the church. As a lad he was an example, and as a young man he was a pattern for others. For many years he was rector’s churchwarden of that parish [Templecorran]. A staunch and loyal friend, whose loss was well-nigh irreparable.” A memorial plaque in his honour was unveiled in October 1918 at St. John’s Parish Church, Islandmagee.

Grandcourt Road Cemetery 

Remembering Michael Hagan - Royal Naval Reserve

Remembering today Michael Hagan - 1955ST - Royal Naval Reserve serving on board H.M.S "Neptunian", lived Eden Carrickfergus.  Lost at Sea 27th October 1918 aged 32.  

Michael was born in Greenore, Co Louth in 1886 the son of James and Bridget Hagan.  He married Dora Donnelly at St Anne’s Church of Ireland Belfast on 26 December 1913 and together they moved to Eden and had two sons. Michael and his family became well known in the local area and were active members of Carrickfergus Congregational Church.

During the war Michael served as a trimmer with the Royal Naval Reserve enlisting in March 1915.  Late in the war he was serving on board HMS “Neptunian”, a fishing trawler that had been hired by the Royal Naval Reserve to carry out minesweeping duties.  The British steam trawler was built in 1913 by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. and owned at the time by East Riding Steam & Fish, and based out of Larne.  On 27 October 1918 “Neptunian” sank 5 miles off Altacarry Lighthouse, Rathin Island, following a collision with the HM trawler “Lord Lister”.  Eight survivors were picked up by “Lord Lister” and landed at Londonderry; sadly seven men perished, including Michael Hagan.  His body was never recovered from the sea and he is forever remembered on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial 

Remembering Riflemen John Butler & James O'Neill - 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Carrickfergus remembers today:  Riflemen John Butler - 9064 & James O'Neill  - 9183 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.  Both lived in Carrickfergus prior to enlisting, they were both members of the Roman Catholic church in the town and were already serving in the British Army when war broke out in 1914.  They were posted to France with the 2nd Battalion in August 1914 and following heavy were killed in action on 27th October 1914 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.  Their bodies were never recovered and they are forever remember on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais France.  

Le Touret Memorial 

John Butler was born in Whitehouse the son of John and Jane Butler (nee Gormley) and lived in Fairymount Carrickfergus.  A Pre-War Regular serving with the Royal Irish Rifles he was posted to France in August 1914 with the 2^nd Battalion.  He was killed in action on 27 October 1914 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, his body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on Le Touret Memorial Panel 42 and 43.  His two brothers William and Martin also killed in action.

James O'Neill  was born in the Shankill area of Belfast in 1878 the son of James and Lizzie O'Neill.  He grew up in the Minorca area of Carrickfergus and by 1911 was working as a chimney sweep and living in Davy’s Street with his wife Margaret O'Neill and their children Nicholas and Margaret. It is not clear when James joined the army, he was either a pre-war regular or a territorial and as such was one of the first to be sent into action in 1914.  He served in France from 11 September 1914 with the 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and died in fighting during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle 27 October 1914 aged 36.   James body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais France.

Private David Alexander Robb - 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

Carrickfergus remembers today: Private David Alexander Robb - 3765 - 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, born Carrickfergus 2 September 1882, died in France 26 October 1918.


David Alexander Robb was born in Carrickfergus in September 1882 the eldest child of David and Mary Ann (McGiffen) Robb and brother to Mary Ann, William, Charles, Samuel, Hugh, Thomas, Bella and Martha. David spent his early years in the town before moving with the family to Belfast around 1890. By 1901 the entire family were living on Cosgrave Street in Belfast and David was working at Harland & Wolff Ship Builders. He married Elizabeth Doyle on 26 November 1900 in Trinity Church of Ireland, Clifton Street, Belfast and together they had seven children; Margaret (1901), Elizabeth (1902), Mary (1905), David Alexander (died aged 7 months in 1907), Samuel Hugh (1908), Agnes (1910), Jane (1913), and William John (1915).


David and his young family moved to 16 Portland Street Belfast in 1902, it was here he was living when he joined the Antrim Royal Garrison Artillery Special Reserve in Carrickfergus in August 1908 aged 23. David’s medical file reported him to be 5 foot 5 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. He took part in the two week annual camp each summer between 1909 and 1913, during which time he completed various military training courses. David continued his main employment at Harland & Wolff throughout his reserve army career and by 1911 the family had relocated to Southwell Street in the city.


As war loomed in 1914 the reserve army training was stepped up and David reported to Carrickfergus in June and July for additional drill. He was mobilised on 5 August 1914 and posted to the Antrim Garrison Artillery Coastal Defence. In January 1915 he is charged with misconduct (the details are unclear) and is sentenced to 28 days detention. Perhaps as a result he requests a transfer to the Royal Irish Fusiliers and in June 1915 is posted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion Fusiliers who were based in Carrickfergus at that time.


Following a period of training he is sent to the Balkans on active service in October 1915; conditions taking their toll on him he is forced from action less than a month later with dysentery and sent to the divisional hospital in Salonika. He returned to active service after four months recovery and remained in Salonika until November 1917 before being deployed to Egypt and Palestine as part of the Palestine Campaign.


In April 1918 David is deployed to France with the 6th Battalion, embarking at Port Said and arriving at Marseilles on 27 May. It appears after arriving in France he was assigned duties at the Battalion depot where he suffered successive bouts of illness in June, July and September 1918 all requiring hospital treatment. Unable to fight off the affects of illness or disease David died at 7th General Military Hospital France on 26 October 1918 and was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille (France) location VI. C. 48. (pictured)

News of his death was passed home to Elizabeth and the grieving family who by now were living on Vere Street, Belfast. Elizabeth received the war windows pension and lived in Belfast until her death in 1959.


#WeWillRememberThem

Get your copy of the Carrickfergus Roll of Honour

Limited Edition copies of the Carrickfergus Roll of Honour are still available.

The CROH is a 400 page publication that contains details on all men from Carrickfergus, Greenisland and Whitehead who fought and died during the Great War.  

To order your copy you can follow the link and send a PayPal payment of £20.00, leave your address and I will arrange personal delivery.  

https://www.paypal.me/JohnStewart1983 

Profits from all sales of the CROH will be donated to the Carrickfergus Branch of the Royal British Legion and it is hoped we can raise over £2000 for the Poppy Appeal.

If you don't wish to use Paypal you can contact me directly on 07413245444 or buy a copy at the Carrickfergus Museum shop  or Robinson's Shoes in Market Place.  

Thank you again for the continued support.

John 

Private William Killips - Leicestershire Regiment

NAME; Killips, William

RANK; Private

SERV. NO; 25892

UNIT/SERVICE; 9^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Leicestershire Regiment

BORN; Carrickfergus, 1891

LIVED; Stamford, Lincolnshire

ENLISTED; Oakham, Rutland, 11 November 1915

FATE; Killed in Action, France, 25 September 1916

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH; Unknown

MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial (France) – Pier and Face 2C & 3A

REMARKS; William was born in Carrickfergus in on 31 August 1891 the son of Robert and Hannah Killips (nee McIlhagga) and brother of Cecil.  William left Carrickfergus when he was a young teenager and moved to Stamford in Lincolnshire with his family. Prior to the joining up he worked as a railway booking clerk.  Hen enlisted into the 9^th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on 11 November 1915 and following training was posted to Western Front 25 August 1915. He was killed in action at the Somme on 25 September 1916 aged 25. His body was never recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial pier and face 2C and 3A. William’s brother Cecil was also killed in action.  

The War Diary entry for the 25th September 1916 records. 

The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lt A. E. PETER, 2nd Lt. W. S. GILBERT, CSM POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lt. CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lt. RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lt. HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and CSM RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion HQ advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lt. HARDY, 2nd Lt. LEWIS, CSM RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lt. Col. HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion HQ advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion HQ viz: Lt. Col. HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT), Lt. TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt. TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt. TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were found without any officer. Lt. Col. HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lt. Col. HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade HQ, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lt. KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.

Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.  

http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/casualty/view/21132 

Alexander Erksine Holmes

NAME; Holmes, Alexander Erskine (Sandy) – D.C.M

RANK; Sergeant

SERV. NO; 12/17889

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Belfast

LIVED; Elmwood, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus, 15 September 1914 aged 22 years and 8 months 

FATE; Survived the war

CEMETERY; N/A

CHURCH; Congregational

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Alexander Erskine Holmes (Sandy) was born in the Shankill area of Belfast in 1892, the son of James and Matilda and brother to Joseph, Margaret and John.  In 1911 he was living with his family in the west division of Carrickfergus serving his time as an apprentice joiner.  He was a member of the Central Antrim UVF and when war broke out enlisted into the 12^th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Barn Mills School on 15 September 1914.  Following training he was posted to France in October 1915 and quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant.   He served across the Western Front in 1916 and 1917 involved in all major offensives with the 12^th Battalion.  He was taken Prisoner of War on 21 March 1918 along with many other men from the Battalion during the German Spring Offensive.  He served out the rest of the war in captivity in German and was repatriated in December 1918.   On his return to Britain he is informed that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; the official commendation in the London Gazette recorded “he did excellent work in keeping up communication under heavy fire during two engagements.  He has consistently shown great courage and energy in his work”. 

Sandy was demobilised from the army in April 1919, by which time he family home is recorded as Elmwood, Belfast Road, Carrickfergus.  After the war he had a long service with the Royal British Legion. 

Ordinary Seaman Samuel Hilditch S.S "Bray Head"

NAME; Hilditch, Samuel

RANK; Ordinary Seaman

SERV. NO; N/A

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S. “Bray Head”

BORN; Carrickfergus, 1896

LIVED; North Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Unknown

FATE; Died 14 March 1917 aged 21

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH; Presbyterian

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial – London

REMARKS: Samuel was born in Carrickfergus in 1896 the son of Robert and Sarah Hilditch (nee Ross) of North Street Carrickfergus and brother of Sara, Maggie, John, Robert, William, Edgar, Lenord and Wisnom.  During the war Samuel served as an Ordinary Seaman with the Mercantile Marine on-board S.S “Bray Head”.  The S.S “Bray Head” was a steamer ship built in 1874 by C.S Swan and Hunter, Newcastle and operated by the Ulster Steam Ship Company Ltd.  On 14 March 1917 while en route from St Johns, New Brunswick to Belfast with a general cargo she was attacked and sunk by gunfire from U-Boat U-44 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Paul Wagenfuhr.  She was sunk 375 miles NW by W of Fastnet, 21 souls were lost including Samuel Hilditch, Captain John Currie Hoy from Whitehead and six other men from Carrickfergus.  20 of the crew survived and were finally picked up by H.M.S Adventure having been adrift in their lifeboat for five days.  Samuel’s body was never recovered from the sea and he is forever remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial London. 

That day Carrickfergus lost; James Atkinson, James Cameron, William Carroll, Thomas Dalton, Samuel Hilditch, John C Hoy (Captain), Joseph Stewart and Thomas McQuitty Todd.  This was one of the greatest loses off life in one day for Carrickfergus and further evidence of the often forgotten sacrifice of the Merchant Mariners during the Great War.

Private Thomas Hogsett. South African Infantry

NAME; Hogsett, Thomas

RANK; Private

SERV. NO; 8854

UNIT/SERVICE; South African Infantry

REGIMENT; 7^th Regiment

BORN; Carrickfergus, 19 April 1880

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; South Africa, 1814

FATE; Killed in Action 12 February 1916 aged 35

CEMETERY; Taveta Military Cemtery – Kenya V. A . 8

CHURCH; Presbyterian

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS: Thomas was born in Carrickfergus 19 April 1880 the son of William and Margaret Hogsett (nee Crow) and brother of Annie, James, Lizzie, Jane and Samuel.  By the age of 21 in 1901 he was living on the family farm in Kilroot and working as a drapers assistant.  Thomas married Elizabeth Donald and together they had one son and moved into Red Brae Cottage around 1908. In October 1913 it appears Thomas travelled to Cape Town, South Africa from Southampton.  His reason for doing so is unclear but his wife and son do not appear on the emigration passenger list.  While there he joined the 7^th Regiment South African Infantry and as a private and was posted on active service.  Thomas was killed in action on 12 February aged 35 in the advance on Salaita Hill.  He is buried in Taveta Military Cemetery – Kenya V. A . 8. 

The Battle of Salaita Hill was the first large scale engagement of the East African Campaign of World War One to involve British, Indian, Rhodesian and South African troops.  The Battle took place on 12^th February 1916 as part of the three-pronged offensive into German East Africa launched by General Jan Smuts who had been in overall command in the region.  This was a part of the Great War often forgotten about as it rarely affected those from our local area.  Yet here was a young man from Carrickfergus who ended up playing his part so far from home and ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice.  

Brothers in Arms. Alexander and William Clawson - 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

NAME; Clawson, Alexander

RANK; Corporal

SERV. NO; 12/17364

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus 1892

LIVED; Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; 15 September 1914, Carrickfergus aged 24

FATE; Survived the War

CEMETERY; N/A

CHURCH; St Nicholas Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Alexander was born in Carrickfergus in 1892 the son of John and Henrietta Clawson and brother of Lizzie, Maggie, William (also served with 12^th Battalion) and John.  By 1901 Alexander was 12 years old, living with the family in Irish Quarter South and working at the local mill.  He married Lettice Ethel Burgess at St Nicholas Church 6 February 1910 and shortly after moved in with his mother and father in law to their house in Irish Quarter West.  Alexander and Lettice had 3 children, Alexander Jnr born 29 October 1910, Elizabeth 16 March 1916 and ? born 1 April 1919.  Prior to the war Alexander was working as a general labourer and was a member of the Central Antrim UVF.  On 15^th September 1914 at Barn Mills School he enlisted into the 12^th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.  Following training he was posted to France for active service in October 1915.  He served across the Western Front from the end of 1915 until 12 August 1918 when he was returned to the home service and finally demobilised on 1 August 1919 by which time he was with the 3^rd Battalion.  He was promoted to lance corporal on 7 February 1917 and then to corporal on 4 November 1917.  Twice wounded, firstly 11 August 1917 with a gunshot wound to the back and then on 18 April 1918 with a gunshot wound to the right arm.  On both occasions he was patched up and returned to active service following a period of recovery.  After the war he returned to his home on Irish Quarter West and went back to work as a labourer raising his young family.  

 

NAME; Clawson, William James

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO; 18911

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus abt. 1893

LIVED; Irish Quarter South

ENLISTED; Belfast Town Hall, September 26 1914 aged 21

FATE; Survived the war

CEMETERY; N/A

CHURCH; Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Born in Carrickfergus 1893 the son of John and Henrietta Clawson and brother of Lizzie, Maggie, Alexander (also served with 12^th Battalion) and John.  In 1901 he is listed as a school boy living with his family in Irish Quarter South.  The entire family were members of St Nicholas Church of Ireland.  By 1914 William was living with the family in Wilson’s Place, working as a labourer in the salt works and was an active member of LOL 947.  When war broke out he enlisted into the 12^th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914 at Belfast Town Hall.  His medical records report him to be 5 foot 6 inches tall with brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo of rose and flags on left forearm. 

Following training he was posted to France on active service in October 1915 and had three tours to the Western Front until 1918 (3/10/15 – 8/7/16. 18/12/16 – 13/6/17 and 23/3/18 – 21/4/18). 

His service record has a number of infractions throughout his time of service including being AWOL, resisting arrest following creating a disturbance while drunk.  He suffered a gun shot wound to the shoulder on 7 June 1917 during fighting at Messines Ridge and was sent to hospital in Belfast and Whitehead between 27 July 1917 and 13 August 1917.  On his return to duty he was transferred to the 18^th Reserve Battalion.  He spent three months in Portobello Military Hospital Dublin between December 1917 and March 1918 with gonorrhoea.  Following this he was charged with desertion in June 1918, the war having clearly taken its toll on him.  In March 1933 while living in Davy’s Street he received a letter from the war pensions department informing him that his war gratuity had been forfeited as a result of his desertion and this would not change.  His trial for desertion was dispensed of and eventually he was recognised as being fully discharged from the army.  

Remebering today: Rifleman David Gray Loughins, Born Oakfield Carrickfergus

Remembering today: Rifleman David Gray Loughins, Born Oakfield Carrickfergus 27 May 1893, died of wounds sustained in battle France, 5 January 1915 aged 21.

David was the son of William Loughins and Mary Jane Grey and brother of John, Hessie, Samuel, William and Thomas. The family moved around Antrim but both David and his brother were born in Carrickfergus and the family lived there from sometime between 1891 and 1900. David joined the Royal Irish Rifles around 1910 and at the outbreak of war in 1914 was one of the first to be sent to France as part of the BEF.

David served on the Western Front at the time of much described "Christmas truce", which was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas of 1914. His war diary makes mention of this in the following passages:

[December] 24th 7pm.
After a very quiet half hour, I heard a voice from the German trenches (which are 100 yds away) shouting a Merry Xmas. So one of our fellows shouted back the same to you. Then the German shouted "You English soldier don't shoot. We want to speak to you". So we shouted, "Send one man half roads", which they did. So after they met, they saluted one another, the German saluting first. They gave us cigars in exchange for cigarettes and they said if we didn't fire, they wouldn't fire. So we agreed to stop firing till after Xmas considering they do the same. Someone on their side let off a round. but it didn't hit anyone and I am sure he got a rough time of it by the way they shouted at him. I think one of the Germans gave him an Xmas box.
Xmas Day

It froze last night and, as we had wet feet, we didn't get much sleep. But most of us kept shouting over to the Germans and they kept answering us until after midnight. All day today we were talking to our pals over the way and we even walked about over to their trenches and they gave us plenty of cigars and chocolate which I think is part of their daily rations. Most of them seem fed up with the war and they say that the war will be over and peace proclaimed about the end of next month. The fellow who was speaking to me says that they can't win as they are fighting too many and he said he was tired of the war. One of their Officers told one of our Artillery Officers that we were doing some good shooting and I am thinking he was about right. No shots were fired on either side today. We are keeping our Xmas fare until we go out of here tomorrow night. But I didn't do too bad today. Five of us mucked in and we had bacon and bullybeef fried for breakfast and for dinner we had a stew of bullybeef, spuds and preserved vegetables and for desert we made a pie of biscuits and marmalade jam. So all we wanted was a goose and we were tip top. I got a darling little goose's photo last night. So I enjoyed Xmas day so far.

[December] 26th
No firing on either side today. Johnny German must be very glad to get a rest, so are we.
David's last entry in his war diary was on December 28th. He received a serious wound from a sniper shortly thereafter. He was brought back to the field hospital at Estaires, France, but succumbed to his injury there on January 5th.

David's passing left his young fiance and family in mourning. In commemoration of the place where David passed, his eldest brother named his last-born daughter, Estaire, after Estaires, France. (Many thanks to the family for this information it is greatly received.)

David is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery Plot: I. F. 11.
‪#‎WeWillRememberThem‬