9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
08/08/1896
Died:
22/09/1916 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
20
Summary
Frederick Currie was the youngest son of Thomas and Margaret Currie of Tamlaght, Coagh. He was born on 8th August 1896. He enlisted in the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 29th December 1914 and after training was sent to France with the battalion where he experienced a few engagements with the enemy. He was seriously wounded at the Somme on the 1st July 1916 and lay on the open battlefield for four days with nine shrapnel wounds in one leg and a wound to the groin before being discovered. He died of his wounds in Second General Hospital, Leeds on 22nd September 1916.
Further Information
Frederick Curry was the youngest son of Thomas and Margaret Currie (nee Simpson). Fredrick was born on 8th August 1896 and baptised at Tamlaght Church on 26th October 1896 by Reverend A.S.Irwin.
Frederick’s surname was spelt Curry in most local documentation but he was Frederick Currie in all army documentation.
The 1901 census lists Fredrick as age 4 living with the family at house 11 in Rooskey Lower, Springhill, Londonderry. His father was a labourer.
1901 Family: Thomas Curry, Margaret Curry (nee Simpson), Minnie Curry (born about 1884), Maggie Curry (born about 1886), Thomas Curry 11 (born 1st September 1889), Joseph Curry (born 24th November 1891), Robert Curry (born 24th December 1894), Fredrick Curry (born 9th August 1896).
Fred was educated at Tamlaght National School.
The 1911 census lists Frederick as age 15 living with his parents at house 15 in Tamlaght, Springhill, Moneymore. He was working on his father’s farm.
Prior to enlisting, Frederick was a member of Carryhill LOL 188, Coagh and a member of Coagh Company, Ulster Volunteers.
Fred Curry enlisted in the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 29th December 1914 and after training was sent to France with the battalion where he experienced a few engagements with the enemy.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th April 1916: Coagh Soldiers at the Front
Private Edward McGuckin, a native of Coagh, in a letter to the Mail dated 22nd March, says that all the Coagh boys are well and in good fighting form, although they have been constantly in the trenches for the past eight weeks. They are well accustomed to jack Johnstons, whizz bangs, trench mortars, and such other scrap as the ‘Germhuns’ treat them to. Private John McMullan is going strong, so strong in fact that he has been nicknamed the ‘whizz bang’. Other Coagh boys are known as ‘Rifle Grenade Sands’, ‘Trench Mortar Currie’ and ‘Barbed Wire Hudson’. Another chum from Aughnacloy, and well known in Coagh, is George Marshall. As the letter was been written he was singing mournfully in the dugout ‘I want to go home’, but his comrades know well that he does not want any such thing, at least until he sees the Huns in final retreat homewards. They had the din of guns instead of drums on Patrick’s Day. They were all glad to see that Constables Howe and Ryan had joined the colours, and wish them the best of luck. Sands and Hudson feel rather sore about some recent marriages, and fear there won’t be any Coagh girls (left) when they return victoriously home. The writer concludes by wishing the good old ‘Mid’ every success.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916:
Private Hugh Curry, son of Mrs Curry, Drapersfield, Cookstown, wounded.
Private Frederick Currie was seriously wounded at the Somme on the 1st July 1916 and lay on the open battlefield for four days with nine shrapnel wounds in one leg and a wound to the groin, before being discovered and brought back to England for treatment at Second General Hospital Leeds.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22 July 1916:
Mr Thomas Currie, Tamlaght, Coagh, has been informed that his son, Fred, was severely wounded in the great battle of 1st July, having received nine shrapnel wounds in one leg and one in the groin. The following letter has been received from the Reverend J. Jackson Wright, dated 5th July, 1916:
‘Your boy was wounded on Saturday and owing to the German artillery attack was unable to return to his battalion. He was found early on Tuesday morning, and I am glad to write, the wound and exposure have not done as much harm as expected. He came here for medical treatment and rest, and was sent to a base hospital. I saw him while here and he was quite cheery and wonderfully strong. His platoon did splendid in the attack and I hope he will soon recover.’
In August around the time of his twentieth birthday he had a visit from his mother at the hospital in Leeds and was expected to recover. His mother Margaret received a letter at home in Coagh on the 19th September stating that her son’s recovery was in doubt. In spite of all that could be done for him at Second General Hospital, Leeds.
Private Currie died of his wounds in Leeds on 22nd September 1916.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 30th September 1916: Private Fred Currie, Coagh
Coagh Roll of Honour is this week still further increased by the death by wounds received in action of Private Fred Currie, of the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The deceased young soldier was barely 20 years of age at his death, which took place at the Military War Hospital, Leeds. The deceased joined the Inniskillings on 29th December 1914, and after the usual training he was sent to the front early in September last year and saw some stiff encounters for almost twelve months. He took part in the big push on 1st July, when he was badly wounded, and shortly afterwards was sent to a hospital in Leeds. Here he was visited by his mother about four weeks ago, and it was expected by all he would recover; but he died last Friday. A letter from the chaplain was received by his mother, written on the 19th September, to say that they had begun to doubt his recovery, and nothing more was heard until the sad intimation was received of his death on Monday. Prior to enlisting the deceased was a member of Coagh L.O.L. 188, and also of the Coagh section of the U.V.F., and to his many comrades and friends at home the death of this promising young soldier will be read with widespread regret. His funeral took place with full military honours.
He was buried with full Military Honours in Leeds (Harehills) Cemetery and is commemorated there on Screen wall G26.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 30th September 1916:
CURRIE – September 22, at the Leeds Military Hospital, from wounds received in action on 1st July, Private Fred Currie, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, youngest son of Mr Thomas Currie, Tamlaght, Coagh, aged 20 years. He died for his country, what more could he do?
'No more he’ll answer the roll call,
Or rush to the bugle’s sound.
But, Lord, when the roll is called in Heaven,
May his name in Thy Book be found.'
Inserted by his sorrowing parents.
Frederick Currie is commemorated on Coagh Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour and on Coagh War Memorial (Royal British Legion Cookstown).
The CWGC record Private Frederick Currie as the son of Thomas and Margaret Currie, of Tamlaght, Coagh, County Derry.
