Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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23183   Sergeant John Milligan
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 04/12/1894
Died: 16/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 22
Summary      
John Milligan was the son of William and Jane Milligan. John was born in Tullyrusher, County Tyrone on 4th December 1894. His father died when he was 14. John worked as a clerk. He enlisted in Cookstown. During his time in the Army he had attained the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant John Milligan was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck on 16th August 1917.
Further Information
John Milligan was the youngest son of William and Jane Milligan. William Milligan and Jane Richardson were born on 27th December 1882 in the district of Dungannon.
John R Milligan was born in Tullyrusher, Newmills, County Tyrone on 4th December 1894. He was the second youngest of at least nine children.
The 1901 census lists John R Milligan as age 6 living with the family at house 8 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. William Milligan was a farmer.
William Mulligan died on 13th July 1910, aged 73.
The 1911 census lists John R Milligan as age 16 living with the family at house 7 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. John was working as a clerk. His mother was a widow.
Known family: William Milligan, Jane Milligan, Jane Milligan (born 18th March 1884), James Milligan (born 4th May 1885), Joseph Milligan (born 20th January 1887), William Milligan (born 1st April 1888), Charles N P Milligan (born 16th September 1889), Hugh Milligan (born 5th February 1891), Elizabeth Milligan (born 17th January 1893), John R Milligan (born 4th December 1894), Mary Milligan (born 20th June 1898).
John Milligan enlisted in Cookstown with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Medal card
During his time in the Army he had attained the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant John Milligan was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck on Thursday 16th August 1917.
Six officers, including the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Audley Pratt D.S.O., along with 91 other ranks, were also killed on that day.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 6 September 1917:
Newspaper Report
Sergeant John Milligan, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action, was a son of the late Mr William Milligan, Blacktown, Newmills, Dungannon, a well known Orangeman in the Stewartstown district.
Sergeant John Milligan has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Sergeant Milligan is also commemorated on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WW1 Roll of Honour in Newmills Parish Church.
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References and Links
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1 1901 Census lists Milligan family Lists John R as age 6 living with the family at house 8 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Milligan family Lists John as age 16 living with the family at house 7 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, Tyrone
3 Dungannon War Dead Also listed on Dungannon War Dead
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023