1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
15/08/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
Summary
James Gormley was born in Shettleston, Lanarkshire, and was the son of William and Annabella Gormley (nee Breslin) from Dunamanagh, Cloughcorr, County Tyrone. In the early 1900’s the family settled in Cookstown. James Gormley was working in Cookstown prior to enlisting with the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The Battalion was sent to Gallipoli as part of 29th Division in April 1915. James was reported killed in action during the assault on Kidney Hill at Suvla, on 15th August 1915. One of James comrades returned from Gallipoli and told his family that James had volunteered to bring back some fresh water from a well, where it is thought he was killed by a Turkish sniper
Further Information
James Gormley was the eldest son of William and Annabella Gormley. William Gormley and Annabella Breslin were married about 1884.
James Breslin was born about 1885 in Shettleston, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was the eldest of ten children.
The family moved back to Strabane in 1888.
In 1893 the family moved to Scotland again.
In 1897, the family moved back to Dunnamanagh, north of Strabane.
The 1901 census lists James as age 16, living with the family at house 1 in Cullion, Mountcastle, Tyrone. Cullion lies half way between Strabane and Newbuildings. James had left school and was a farm labourer, like his father.
Family: William Gormley, Isabella / Annabella Gormley?, James Gormley (born about 1885, Scotland), John Gormley (born about 1887, Scotland), Margaret Gormley (born 3rd September 1888, Strabane), Bridget Gormley (born about 1892, Tyrone), Catherine Gormley (born about 1894, Scotland), William Gormley (born about 1896, Scotland), Mary Gormley (born 3rd September 1898, Dunnamanagh), Edward Gormley (born 29th September 1900, Dunnamanagh), Annabella Gormley (born 6th July 1902, Dunnamanagh), Elizabeth Gormley (born 7th July 1904, Dunnamanagh).
The 1911 census does not list James as living with the family at house 43 in Church Street, Cookstown. His father was now a quarryman.
James Gormley enlisted in Cookstown.
James served initially with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
The battalion was sent to Gallipoli as part of 29th Division in April 1915.
Private James Gormley was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the assault on Kidney Hill at Suvla, on Sunday 15th August 1915.
One of James’ comrades returned from Gallipoli and told his family that James had volunteered to bring back some fresh water from a well, where it is thought he was killed by a Turkish sniper.
Last Will and Testament of Private James Gormley dated 7th August 1915:
In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and all that is due to me to, Annabelle Gormley, Church Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland. 12084 Private James Gormley. C company. 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 7 August 1915.
Private James Gormley has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 97-101 on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
This inscription photo was taken by the Friends of the Somme Mid Ulster Branch on a visit to Gallipoli in September 2014.
Private James Gormley is commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph.
