Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6982809   Fusilier William J Harkness
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 18/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 05/10/1916
Died: 19/07/1943 (Killed in Action)
Age: 26
Summary      
William James Harkness was the second son of William Harkness and Susan Harkness. He was born on 5th October 1916 in the Cookstown area. His father was a gardener at Loughry. By the time of 2nd World War, William was the husband of Mary J Harkness. Fusilier William Harkness was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Sicily when he was killed in action at the Battle of Lemon Bridge on 19th July 1943.
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 William J Harkness
Cemetery Details
Cemetery: Catania War Cemetery
  Catania, Sicily, 17
Grave Ref: Grave 3-F-10
CWGC Casualty 2075943
Summary      
Catania War Cemetery is 7 kilometres south-west of Catania. From Catania Airport follow the tangenziale (main road) towards the A19 (in the direction of Palermo). Before reaching the A19 the cemetery is signposted. Cemetery address: Stradale Passo del Fico - 95121 Catania Zona Industriale (CT) Sicily.
portrait
Local Memorial Details

No Memorial Name Townland
1 Desertcreat Roll Of Honour WWII Cookstown
2 Cookstown Cenotaph WWII - North Panel Cookstown
Local Institute / Local Book Details

No Name Page
1 Cookstown War Dead Book WW2 350
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 Census lists Harkness family Lists Harkness family at house 1 in Loughry Demesne, Tullaghoge, Tyrone
2 Forum discussion (WW2 Talk) Details of the Lemon Bridge battle
3 Fusilier Robert Gildea Also killed in the Lemon Bridge battle
4 Inniskillings Museum Photo of Lemon Bridge, Sicily
5 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Fusilier William Harkness' grave can be purchased here
6 wikisicily.com - virtual war grave cemeteries Harkness, William J - Grave photo
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023