Robert Cambridge - New Zealand Army - Service Number 33162

Robert Cambridge was born in Carrickfergus on 1 November 1883 the son of Robert (Snr) J.P and Elizabeth (nee Reid) Cambridge and brother of Eleanor, Mary, Annie, Norah, Louisa and Thomas Reid. 

NZ Reinforcements Cap Badge

Robert grew up in Carrickfergus and was schooled at Belfast Inst, by 1901 he was living with his extended family on High Street and working as a Clerk.  His family were well known in the town, Robert (Snr) was a respected business man as a grocer and then a timber merchant as well as a local J.P and member of the council.

In 1902 Robert enlisted into the 29th Imperial Yeomanry (Irish Horse) seeing action in the Boer War were he is recorded as being awarded a medal with two clasps.  On his return from war he met and married Anita Wilson in Barton-Upon-Urwell, Lancashire in 1906.  Shortly after the couple emgirated to New Zealand in search of a new life.

By 1916 Robert and Anita were living at 144 Hills Road, St Albans Christchurch (NZ) where he was working as an ironmongery buyer for the distinguished DIC Department Store.  He was also treasurer of the local Veterans Association.

Robert enlisted into the New Zealand army in August 1916 and is described in his medical inspection as being 5 foot 6 1/2 inches, 10 stone with afresh complexion, light blue eyes and black hair turning grey.  On 23rd August he joined the 23rd Reinforcements as a corporal and was promoted to training sergeant on 20th November.  He transferred to G Company on 7th October and on 15th January 1917 was moved to Featherstone Military Camp on the lower North Island.

On 12th February 1917 Robert died suddenly from disease (possibly septic poisoning) - His burial took place from Christchurch with full military honours, his remains were removed from Featherstone Camp where he had died and moved to his home in St Albans.  The service at the graveside was conducted by Rev John Paterson of St Paul's Church at which comrades, work colleagues and members of the Veterans Association attended.  The pall-bearers were all members of the veterans association and were reported as Mr D Lee, Mr G Cresswell, Mr J Timbrell, Mr H Alpe, Mr W Simpson and Mr Bradwick.  Due to the distance from his home, it was only in the weeks after his death that Robert's family in Carrickfergus were made aware of his death by cablegram.  I can find no record of his wife or any descendants in New Zealand after his death. 

He is buried in Christchurch (Linwood) Cemetery block 35 lot 264 (pictured).

#LestWeForget

*With thanks to Inst in the Great War for picture 

 

New Zealand World War I soldiers of the 23rd Reinforcements, F Company, 23 Platoon at Canvas Camp, Featherston, Wairarapa, Wellington region

Carrickfergus Remembers Corporal James Sempey

NAME; Sempey,  James

RANK; Corporal

SERV. NO; 19751

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion“B Coy”

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Ballyclare

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed in Action 10 February 1916 aged 29

CEMETERY; Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil – Martinsart – Somme, France – G.7

CHURCH; Unknown 

MEMORIAL; 

REMARKS; James was born in Ballyclare in 1888 the son of Hugh and Isabella Sempey and brother of Hugh junior (who also served with the Army Service Corps).  Prior to the war he was living in Carrickfergus with his wife Sarah and working in the Sullatober bleach works, he was also a member of the Sullatober Flute Band.

James enlisted into the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in late 1914 and following training was posted to the Western Front in October 1914.  On 10th February 1916 James was hit by bomb and killed instantly aged 29.  

By the time of his death James was living in Ballyclare with his wife and four children who were informed of his death in a letter from Rev A Gibson, Presbyterian Chaplain (Lurgan) who in the course of his letter wrote “Your husband was killed yesterday by a shell.  He and several others were in a field close to a village when a shell burst near to them, and, unfortunately your husband received a wound at the base of the skull which killed him instantly and three others were injured.  Your husband was a fine man and was held in high esteem by the officers and men of his regiment.  His loss will be keenly felt by all of us and we shall miss him very much.  He gave his life in a great cause and he has not died in vain.” 

James body was buried at Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil – Martinsart on the Somme.

The Battalion war diary notes the following - The month of February found the 12^th Rifles still at Ribeaucourt although various companies were detached on work parties to units in the surrounding areas.

 On February 3, there was an exciting episode when a French pilot landed his machine near to the 12^th Bn. Apparently he had ‘lost his way’ and had to stay the night.

 The next day, the Frenchman repaid (one assumes) the officers of the Bn. for their generosity. The war diary records:

 “French pilot took the following officers for a short trip in the aeroplane:- Lt. Col. G. Bull, Captain G. Thompson, 2^nd Lts. Hanson, Moore and Stuart.”

Frivolities over, the Bn. marched into billets at Mesnil (a village behind British lines) on February 8, taking over from the Rifle Brigade.

 A three day ‘settling in’ period followed but on February 10, a German aeroplane ‘with British marks’ dropped four bombs on Mesnil, killing one man and wounding three others.

Leading Seaman Andrew Hunter

NAME; Hunter, Andrew

RANK;  Leading Seaman

SERV. NO; 3341 / C

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Naval Reserve

REGIMENT; S.S. “Karnak”

BORN; Carrickfergus 5 January 1872

LIVED; Glasgow

ENLISTED; Unknown 

FATE; Drowned at Sea 14 January 1918 age 35

CEMETERY; No known grave, body not recovered.

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Portsmouth Naval Memorial – Panel 31

REMARKS; Andrew was born in Carrickfergus 5th January 1872 the son of Andrew and Annie Hunter, he was husband of Nellie Hunter, of 3, Nicholson St., Glasgow.  He drowned at sea on 14th January 1918 while on board S.S Karnak.  His body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.  

Stoker Robert McAtamney H.M.S. "Osmanieh"

A big thank you to Donna Wilson for providing some fantastic pictures of Stoker Robert McAtamney, lost at sea 31st December 1917. 

Robert pictured on the left with crew mates from the HMS Victory

NAME; McAtamney, Robert

RANK; Stoker

SERV. NO; 871011

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine Reserve  

REGIMENT; H.M.S. "Osmanieh"

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; 34 Taylors Row, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Lost at Sea as a result of enemy action

CEMETERY; Body Lost at Sea

CHURCH; St Nicholas Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL; Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 26

REMARKS; Robert was the son of William and Sarah McAtamney and husband of Margaret McAtamney.  Robert was a stoker on board the liner H.M.S “Osmanieh”. On Monday - 31st December, 1917, she was carrying troops and medical staff to Alexandria, Egypt when she struck a mine laid by UC 34 under the command of Oberleutnant zue See Horst Obermuller at the entrance to the harbour. She sank very quickly taking with her: Lieutenant Commander D.R. Mason, 2 other officers, 21 of its crew, 1 military officer. 166 other ranks and 8 nurses – Robert was one of the 21 crew lost. 

Robert's Death Penny sent to his family following news of his death

Built in 1906 as a passenger steamer, requistioned by the Admiralty in 1914. HMS Osmanieh struck a mine and sank in the entrance of Alexandria harbour, 31 December 1917

William Alexander Hunter, Royal Irish Rifles

NAME; Hunter, William Alexander 

RANK; Rifleman

SERV. NO;18/1559

UNIT/SERVICE;18th then 12th Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN;Carrickfergus, 1898

LIVED; Ellis Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; January to April 1916

FATE; Survived the war

CEMETERY; N/A

CHURCH; Joymount Presbyterian and St Nicholas Church Of Ireland

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; William Alexander Hunter was born in Carrickfergus in 1898 the son of a baker, William Hunter and Mary Hunter.  By 1911 William was living with his parents and brothers Robert, Hugh, Harry, Thomas and Charles in Ellis Street.  When war broke out in 1914 William was only 16 and not eligible to enlist and had to wait until early 1916 when he was attested to the 18th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, a reserve and depot Battalion of the 11th and 12th R.I.R.  Following his training he was eventually transferred into the 12th Battalion in 1917.  At this stage we are not sure were he served but he survived the war and was awarded the British and Victory Medals.  

After the war he married Jane Simms and had two sons Williams and Samuel and two daughters Maureen and Jean.  He worked in the Ordinance Depot in the town as a tailor and became an active member member of LOL 787 and Masonic Lodge No 43.  By all accounts he was very well known around the town and keep in close contacts with the many Great War veterans around the area organising the 12th Battalion Comrades day each year.

William in his Royal Irish Rifles uniform 

William died on 22nd June 1948 aged only 50 and is buried in St Nicholas Church Yard.  A testament to his character the Carrickfergus Advertiser ran the following story of his funeral;

"The death of Mr William A Hunter, Ellis Street, Carrickfergus, which took place on Tuesday last after a short illness occasioned much sorrow in the town where he was a well known and much respected member of the community for many years, and sincere sympathy is expressed with his sorrowing wife and family.

The funeral took place on Thursday from his residence, where the service was conducted by the Rev. T. Carlisle, MA.  While the flag-draped casket was being borne from the house the Carrickfergus Flute Band played sacred music and then the long cortege which included representatives of all walks of life in the town and district moved to St Nicholas Cemetery to the solemn music of the Dead March in "Saul" played by the band.  Included in the cortege was a contingent of the 12th R.I.R Old Comrades Association (Carrickfergus Branch) in which were many many comrades he had served with in the First World War.  There were also representatives of Carrickfergus Masonic Lodge No 43 and of Woodburn Ebenezer L.O.L 787.  Chief mourners were William R and Samuel Simms Hunter, sons, James Hunter, brother, and G Hume, son in law.

Arriving at the cemetery his old comrades of the 12th R.I.R formed a cordon of honour from the hearse to the graveside and through this his coffins was carried while the Carrickfergus Flute Band, under Mr John Murdy, played "Abide With Me."  The graveside service was conducted by Rev T Carlisle.  

Floral tributes included wreaths from the family and relatives from Carrickfergus Amateur Flute Band, 1st Batt R.I.R Old Comrades Association, Masonic Lodge 43, Woodburn Ebenezer Lodge 787 and from the Commanding Officer, warrant officers and fellow workers of the Royal Ordinance.  

The passing of Mr Wm. A. Hunter is all the more poignant as he was up to the time of his death making preparations for the visit of General Steele to Carrickfergus on First of July.  He was in charge of the arrangements and looking forward to the day with great interest.  He was also in charge of the arrangements for the local branch of the 12th Old Comrades in connection with the annuall reunion of the R.I.R Old Comrades which will take place this year.  Unfortunately death cut short his activities and when his old comrades meet these functions thoughts will turn to their much valued and well-beloved comrade who has answered the last call of all".

St Nicholas Church Yard.  

William's British and Victory Medals

Sapper Charles Spence WR 313671 - Royal Engineers

NAME; Charles Spence

RANK; Sapper

SERV. NO;172990 / WR313671

UNIT/SERVICE;Inland Water Transport Service and Dock Companies

REGIMENT; Royal Engineers

BORN;Ballymena, 19th November 1886

LIVED; Lancasterian Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Belfast, 20th May 1916 aged 30

FATE; Survived the war

CEMETERY; N/A

CHURCH; Church of Ireland, St Nicholas

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Charles was born in Ballymena on 19th November 1886, the son of Charles and Jane Spence and brother to James and Thomas.  The family moved to Carrickfergus around 1907 and took up residence in Crampton Court.  Charles married Jane Doherty in St Ann's Cathedral Belfast on 29th Janurary 1913 and was father to Ellen, James, John and Charlotte (who died agaed only 20 months in 1917).  Prior to the war Charles was living with his family on Lancasterian Street in the town and working as a seaman on board the ships of Elder Fife and Company of Liverpool he was also a member of the National Health and Seaman's Union.  In 1915 he joined the Mercantile Marine and served for 5 months on the convoys before joining the Royal Engineers on 20th May 1916 aged 30.  He was assigned to the Inland Water Transport Service and Dock company presumably due to his experience as a mariner.  Following army training in 1916 he served as a bargeman on cross channel ammunition barges (1030, 1120 and 1060) between England and Dunkirk or Calais from November 1916 to February 1917 and again August 1918 to November 1918.  

Charles was demobilised from the army on 29th January 1919 in London and returned to his family in Carrickfergus.  He began work after the war with John Kelly Coal Limited and served until the outbreak of World War Two when he rejoined the Mercantile Marine served throughout the war notably on the Russian Convoys with his son John.  After WW2 he returned to working with Kelly Coal well into his seventies and died in Carrickfergus on 12th July 1964.  He is buried in North Road Cemetery.

Charles Spence and his family suffered greatly at the hands of both World Wars, his two brothers James and Thomas were killed during World War One and his own son James was killed during the Battle of El Alamein in 1942.  

Sapper Charles Spence, Royal Engineers

 

Rifleman James Stewart 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Today on the 11th of November we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today Carrickfergus specifically remembers Rifleman James A Stewart - 8264 - 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles - Born Carrickfergus 1888, Killed in action in Belgium 11th November 1914. 

James was the husband of Mary Stewart, together they lived in the Commons Milebush area of Carrickfergus. James was pre-war regular with the 2nd Battalion R.I.R and was serving on the western front almost from the beginning of the war. 

He was killed in fighting around Ypres, Belgium. His body was never recovered, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. 

Let us always remember the sacrifice of these brave men even just for a moment #LestWeForget