Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6770   Lance Corporal Bryce M Gilmour
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards (British Army)
Died: 30/09/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 21
Summary      
Bryce Gilmour was a son of Bryce and Ida Gilmour. Brice Matthew Gilmour was born in Roscommon about 1894. He was one of ten children, seven surviving. His father was in the Royal Irish Constabulary. The family moved around a lot. They lived in Ballymoney. Young Bryce Gilmour also joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in Cookstown. Lance Corporal Bryce Gilmour was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on 30th September 1915 at Loos.
Further Information
Bryce Gilmour was the third son of Bryce and Ida Gilmour. Brice Matthew Gilmour was born in Roscommon about 1894. He was one of ten children, seven surviving.
The 1901 census lists Bryce M as age 7, living with the family at house 62 in Connaught St. Athlone Urban, County Westmeath. His father was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C).
Known family: Bryce Gilmour, Ida Gilmour, William Gilmour (born about 1888), Robert W Gilmour (born about 1893), Bryce Matthew Gilmour (born about 1894), Cecil Richard Gilmour (born about 1897), Eileen Christella Gilmour (born about 1900), Vera May Gilmour (born about 1901), Ida Elizabeth Gilmour (born about 1909).
The 1911 census does not list Bryce as living with the family at house 21 in College Street, Ballyshannon, County Donegal. His father was Head Constable.
The 1911 census lists Bryce M. as age 17, living with his uncle and aunt at house 9 in Killymaddy, The Vow, County Antrim. The vow lies south of Ballymoney.
The family then moved to Ballymoney and his father took charge of the Ballymoney Workhouse. They lived in Charlotte Street in the town.
Bryce Gilmour served as a police constable with the Royal Irish Constabulary in Cookstown.
In February 1915, Bryce enlisted with the Irish Guards in Dublin and trained at the old Warley Barracks. They did their first route march on the 6th August.
Medal card
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th February 1915:
Constable Bryce M Gilmour (son of ex Head-Constable Gilmour, master of Ballymoney Workhouse, volunteered with two others from Cookstown police district for active service in the Irish Guards. He has now been called up, while the two others, though successful in the ballot, have since withdrawn their applications. Constable Gilmour was born in County Roscommon while his father was stationed there, and has three years’ service in the Royal Irish constabulary, two of which have been spent in Cookstown. He has orders to report in Dublin next week, thence to proceed to the depot of the Irish Guards at Caterham. He carries with him the best wishes of every patriotic citizen for his safe return. His brother, a commercial traveller, has just died suddenly of appendicitis when on business in the west of Ireland.
Bryce Gilmour left with his battalion from Brentwood Station for France on 16th August 1915.
On the 26th September 1915, the 2nd Battalion was instructed to advance to and take possession of a captured German trench at La Rutoire, Loos.
Later that day their objective was to take Chalk Pit Wood in the same sector of the front, but a heavy bombardment over the following hours and days made the task almost impossible. The battalion had been under considerable strain.
Lance Corporal Bryce Gilmour was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on Thursday 30th September 1915.
It was reported that Bryce Gilmour died as a result of a bayonet wound while attacking the enemy positions at Loos.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd October 1915: Constable Bryce Gilmour
Official intimation has been received by Mr Bryce Gilmour, Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, that his third son, Corporal Bryce Gilmour, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, was killed in action in France on the 30th September. He was a constable in the R.I.C. stationed in Cookstown, and joined the Irish Guards in February last, as a result of a third application, his first and second being refused. Another constable who was in the same battalion as Corporal Gilmour wrote about a week ago informing Mr Gilmour that his son had been seriously wounded in a bayonet charge in which the Guards covered themselves in glory, taking the third line of German trenches. Constable Gilmour’s character may be gauged by a statement made by him to a friend by way of explanation why he had volunteered for active service. He said he thought he ought to be doing more for his country at this crisis than hanging about street corners in Cookstown. It will be recollected that he got a very enthusiastic send-off when he left Cookstown last February, and his death is mourned by a wide circle. Mr Gilmour has another son on active service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd October 1915:
Gilmour – 30th September, somewhere in France, the result of bayonet wounds, Corporal Bryce Gilmour, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, third son of Bryce Gilmour, Ballymoney, and until February last a Constable of R.I.C. at Cookstown.
On Sunday 24th October 1915, at 2nd Presbyterian Church, Cookstown, Reverend D. Maybin, B.A. spoke highly of Bryce Gilmour who was an esteemed member of the congregation.
Lance Corporal Bryce Gilmour has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in Dud Corner Cemetery, France.
Bryce Gilmour on Loos Memorial
Bryce’s younger brother, Cecil Richard Gilmour, served with the Canadians (Service No 57833) during the war. Cecil survived the war. Cecil’s Canadian Military details can be downloaded.
Lance Corporal Bryce Gilmour is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and on Second Cookstown Presbyterian Roll of Honour.
The CWGC have listed Bryce M Gilmour as Boyce M Gilmour erroneously in their database.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 R.I.C. Police Station Cookstown Central Served with RIC, Loy Street 54.644178 -6.744616
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Gilmour family 1901 census lists Bryce M. as age 7 at house 62 in Connaught St. Athlone Urban, Westmeath
2 1911 Census lists Bryce living with uncle 1911 census lists Bryce M. as age 17 at house 9 in Killymaddy, The Vow, Antrim
3 1911 Census lists Gilmore family 1911 census does not list Bryce as living with the family at house 21 in College Street, Ballyshannon, Donegal
4 Brother - Cecil Gilmour Attestation Papers Canadian Military documents (134 no.)
5 Fallen Heroes - Ballymoney Details of Lance Corporal Bryce M Gilmour
6 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023