9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
07/10/1890
Died:
29/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age:
27
Summary
James Mitchell was a son of John and Nancy Mitchell. He was born on 7th October 1890 in Tamlaght, County Tyrone. He was one of ten children. The family lived in Great Georges Street, Coagh. Both James and his father were carters. James survived many of the earlier battles of the war. Private James Mitchell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on Friday 29th March 1918.
Further Information
James Mitchell was a son of John and Nancy Mitchell. John Mitchell married Nancy Cairns on 19th October 1889 in the district of Cookstown.
James Mitchell was born on 7th October 1890 in Tamlaght, County Tyrone. He was one of ten children.
The 1901 census lists James as age 10, living with the family at house 14 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. James was still at school. His father was a carter.
Known family: John Mitchell, Nancy Mitchell, John Mitchell (born about 1886), James Mitchell (born 7th October 1890), Eliza Lizzie Mitchell (born 2nd November 1892), Isabella Mitchell (born 13th May 1894), Joseph Mitchell (born about 1895), Frederick Mitchell (born 27th March 1897), Annie Mitchell (born 21st August 1898, tbc), Robert Mitchell (born 2nd June 1901), Charles Mitchell (born 1st November 1904), Samuel Mitchell (born 15th September 1906).
The 1911 census lists James as age 20, living with the family at house 23 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. James was a carter. His father was now working as a farm servant.
James Mitchell enlisted in Omagh.
James survived many of the earlier battles of the war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd May 1915:
Mr and Mrs John Mitchell, Coagh, have given four sons to serve their King and country. Mr and Mrs Thomas Mitchell come second with three sons in the Ulster Division. Altogether since the beginning, Coagh and district is nobly responding to the call.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2nd September 1916:
Privates Sam Rice, Patrick Higgins and James Mitchell, of the Inniskillings, are at home with their friends in Coagh this week on leave.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th January 1918: Coagh
Privates Thomas Creighton, Joseph Curry, James Mitchell, of the Inniskillings, and Trooper Matthew Hagan and Thomas Collins, North Irish Horse, spent Christmas with their friends at Coagh.
Private James Mitchell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on Friday 29th March 1918.
Private Mitchell was killed in fierce hand to hand fighting during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918. The 9th Battalion suffered very badly and by the end of that Friday they had lost seventy-two men.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th June 1918: 19315 Sergeant Joseph Mitchell M.M. (brother of James Mitchell)
Sergeant Joseph Mitchell M.M., 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, third son of Mr John Mitchell, Coagh. He has been awarded the military medal for bravery in the field. He joined up almost three ago, when 19 years of age and has been twice wounded. He is one of a family with a splendid record for patriotism. His elder brother, Private John Mitchell, went out with the first expeditionary force and is still fighting; Private James Mitchell, who has been at the front for over two years, is posted as missing since 27th March. Another brother, Fred Mitchell, was serving but has been discharged invalided; while a younger brother, Bobbie Mitchell, is at present in training on Salisbury Plain.
Last Will and Testament of Private James Mitchell dated 4th October 1915:
In the event of my death during active service, I give the whole of my property, money and effects to my mother. Mrs N Mitchell, Coagh, County Tyrone. James Mitchell Private No 11083. No 3 Company. 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private James Mitchell has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th July 1940: Coagh – Mitchell Family
Privates Johnny and Robert Mitchell, of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (A.M.P.C.), have been home on leave from France last week. Another brother, Charles, while not officially reported missing, has not been heard of for several weeks. Johnny came through the last war without a scratch, while his brother Robert, having been accepted at the close, later saw Service in India. Another brother, James, was killed in the last war.
A cousin, Private David Mitchell, is at present home on leave. He had two brothers who made the supreme sacrifice in the last war, which he came through being twice wounded. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. Interviewed by our correspondent, he described his miraculous escape from Dunkirk during the evacuation, and some heartrending scenes in Belgium which he saw of people leaving their homes without food or much clothing.
11083 James Mitchell and 11084 William T Mitchell both served with the 9th Inniskillings and both were from Coagh.
The CWGC record Private James Mitchell as the son of John and Nancy Mitchell of Coagh, County Tyrone.
