Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Private James Nelson
Date Information
19/02/2019 The chief mourners were Henry Nelson, Robert Nelson (sons), Thomas Nelson (brother), Cecil Nelson, Lowry Nelson, Bobbie Nelson, Norman Nelson, Francis Crooks, Samuel Crooks, Thomas Crooks, Bob Crooks (grandsons), Tom Anderson, Harry Anderson, Joseph Anderson (nephews), William Gourlay, R Gourlay, John Gourlay, Samuel Gourlay, James Gourlay (relatives).
19/02/2019 The death of Mr Nelson took place after a very brief illness on Sunday night at his residence, Dunman. He had been in Cookstown on Tuesday, taking part in the rejoicings at the end of the war in which he was much interested, seeing he had two sons there, and one who died at the beginning of the war. On his return home he complained of having the influenza, and after a brief illness, he passed way to the regret of his many friends. He was well-known and high respected. On Tuesday his remains were removed for internment in the family burying ground, Ballygoney, and was very largely attended. Rev R Hyndman (in the absence of Rev J Entrican) conducted the service in the home and at the grave side. The hazel wood coffin, with brass mountings, bore the inscription:- William Nelson, died 17th November 1918.
19/02/2019
19/02/2019 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd November 1918: Mr William Nelson, Dunman (father of James Nelson)
19/02/2019 His son Willie, and his son-in-law, John Crooks, both soldiers, arrived too late to attend the funeral. Mr R Steenson had charge of the arrangements.
10/01/2019 Jesus now hath welcomed thee.
10/01/2019 Jordan passed, from pain set free,
10/01/2019 Safe and blessed, the victory won;
10/01/2019 Home at Last, thy labour done,
10/01/2019 To repose beside his clay.
10/01/2019 Till the Commander’s voice shall call us,
10/01/2019 There our hearts do ever stray,
10/01/2019 But the sunshine of our life
10/01/2019 NELSON – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private James Nelson, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who died on 24th March 1915 in the Military Hospital, Belfast.
10/01/2019 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd March 1918:
10/01/2019 ‘Now in the dark, cold grave he slumbers,
10/01/2019 Dear mother how we long for you.
10/01/2019 Must ever clouded be,
10/01/2019 Inserted by her sorrowing husband, daughters and sons.
10/01/2019
10/01/2019 This day brings back to memory our dear one who has gone to rest,
10/01/2019 When days are dark and friends are few,
10/01/2019 In life we loved you very dear, in death we do the same.
10/01/2019 ‘Peaceful be thy rest, dear mother, it’s sweet to breathe your name,
10/01/2019 NELSON – In loving remembrance of our dear mother, Sarah Nelson, wife of William Nelson, Ballyforlea, who died on 24th March 1912.
10/01/2019
10/01/2019 From Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd March 1918: Sarah Nelson (mother of James Nelson)
10/01/2019 Inserted by his sorrowing father, sisters and brothers.
10/01/2019 We’ll hear it all for thee.’
10/01/2019 But Thou O Lord, hath sent this cross,
10/01/2019 And those who think of her tonight are those who loved her best.
27/12/2018 In the official list of casualties issued a few days ago appears the following Cookstown names, all of the Royal Inniskillings:- H Leonard, who belongs to Ardtrea; T Maguire, Millburn Street, Cookstown; T Nelson, Cookstown; F S Telford, Cookstown. Nelson is in hospital in Dublin and he and all the others are reported to be making favourable progress towards recovery.
27/12/2018
27/12/2018 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19th January 1918: Thomas Nelson (brother of James Nelson)
02/08/2018 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th March 1915: Death of a Local Volunteer
02/08/2018 The death took place in Belfast early on Wednesday morning, under sad circumstances, at a hospital in Belfast, of Private James Nelson (popularly known as Jim), of the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, at present stationed at Randalstown. The deceased, who was a member of Lissan Company U.V.F., and of Tamlaghtmore Flute Band, and was very popular with all who knew him. He, volunteered for Kitchener’s Army, as well as his two brothers, Thomas and William, and was in training at Randalstown. For some time he suffered from throat trouble and was removed to hospital where an operation was performed. Septic poisoning however supervened and he passed away, to the intense grief of his father and other relatives, but also of his comrades and many friends. His remains were forwarded, at the expense of the military authorities, to his father’s residence at Lismoney, arriving in Cookstown at 7.45 on Thursday night. The train was met by almost all the Cookstown Volunteers and others, and were followed by a huge concourse. The melancholy procession along the country road under the pale moonlight being most impressive. Close behind the hearse in company with the deceased’s brothers, William and George, were Privates William Riddell and Alex McLernon, brothers-in-law, who had obtained special leave in order to be present. Rev John Entrican, B.A., was in attendance, and on the coffin being taken to the father’s home, conducted a touching and impressive service on supplication. On Friday afternoon the remains were removed for internment at Ballygoney, the funeral being largely attended. His comrades in the battalion forwarded a wreath. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Steenson.
02/08/2018
18/12/2016 From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th July 1916:
18/12/2016 Private Tom Nelson, Lismoney, Lissan, has bullet wound in the neck.
18/12/2016
30/12/2015 The 1901 census lists James as age 4 living with the family at house 4 in Lismoney, Moneyhaw, Londonderry. His father was a farm labourer.
30/12/2015 He was a member of Tamlaghtmore Flute Band and a member of Lissan Company of Ulster Volunteers.
30/12/2015 He enlisted in Cookstown, joining the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. James Nelson was at Randalstown with his brothers, Thomas and William.
30/12/2015 Private Nelson was training with the battalion when he fell ill with a severe throat infection. He died from sceptic poisoning on 24th March 1915. He was 18 years old.
30/12/2015 His remains were brought back to Cookstown and met by members of the local Ulster Volunteers who escorted the remains from Cookstown train station at 7.45pm on Thursday 25th March to his home at Lismoney. James was buried the next day and his funeral was escorted by a party of local Volunteers along with his brothers Thomas and William.
30/12/2015 Privates Alexander McLernon and William Riddle both received special permission to leave the Randalstown Camp to escort their friend’s remains to his last resting place.
30/12/2015 The service was taken by the Reverend John Entrican B.A. and funeral arrangements were undertaken by Mr. Robert Steenson. James Nelson was interred in Ballygoney Presbyterian Church Graveyard.
30/12/2015 Private James Nelson is commemorated on the Roll of Honour in Molesworth Presbyterian Church, Cookstown and Cookstown Cenotaph.
30/12/2015 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 17th June 1916: Private Thomas Nelson (brother of James Nelson)
30/12/2015 Private Thomas Nelson (Lismoney), 9th Inniskillings (Ulster Division), who was wounded in action in France on 10th April 1916, has been home on ten days leave. He has quite recovered and returned to join his battalion at the front on Saturday, in the best of health and spirits.
30/12/2015 Known family: William Nelson, Sarah Nelson, William Nelson (born 2nd July 1880), Henry Nelson (born 24th June 1881), John Nelson (born 28th January 1886), Hannah Nelson (born 1st January 1888), Robert Nelson (born 8th July 1890), Elizabeth Nelson (born 28th November 1892), Samuel Nelson (born 5th August 1896), James Nelson (born about 1897).
30/12/2015 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916: Private Thomas Nelson (brother of James Nelson)
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 Private Tom Nelson, Lismoney, has been home for a few days furlough. He received a bullet in the neck on 1st July, but is now almost fit again
30/12/2015 From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th March 1915: Death of Cookstown Volunteer
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 The death took place in Belfast on Wednesday of Private James Nelson, aged 19 years. The deceased was a member of Lissan Company U.V.F., and of Tamlaghtmore Flute Band, and was very popular. He, with two brothers, Thomas and William, volunteered for Lord Kitchener’s Army, and was at training at Randalstown. Suffering from throat trouble, he was removed to hospital in Belfast where an operation was performed. Septic poisoning however set in and he passed away, to the intense grief of his father and other relatives, and also of his comrades. His remains were conveyed to Cookstown on Thursday evening, and were met at the railway station by almost all the Cookstown Volunteers and many others. They were taken to his father’s residence at Lismoney, whence they were removed yesterday for interment in Ballygoney. The cortege included a large representation of the general public, in addition to many members of the local Volunteers as well as a number of soldiers of the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, all of whom were either relatives or neighbours. Wreaths were sent by the deceased’s platoon, by Tamlaghtmore L.O.L. 469 and band, by No. 9 Section U.V.F., and by two little nephews of the deceased.
30/12/2015 James Nelson was the son of William and Sara Ann Nelson (nee Gourley). He was born at Lismoney, Cookstown, County Tyrone about 1897.
30/12/2015
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