Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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16868   Corporal Robert Forde
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 12/10/2018
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 20/12/1888
Died: 27/05/1915 (Died of Illness)
Age: 26
Summary      
Robert was a son of Robert Forde of Bardahessiagh, Pomeroy. Before enlisting in the Army, Robert Forde was a section leader with Pomeroy Company of Ulster Volunteers. He joined with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, County Donegal. Robert had attained the rank of Corporal. While the Battalion was training at Randalstown, County Antrim, he contracted Scarlet fever and was taken to hospital in Antrim where he died of his illness on 27th May 1915. He is interred in Antrim Cemetery, County Antrim in grave K-1-3
Further Information
Robert was the youngest son of Robert and Annie Forde. Robert Forde married Annie Gibson on 24th December 1879 in the district of Cookstown.
It is believed Robert was born in the Rock area on 20th December 1888. He was one of three sons. There is some doubt because GRONI does not list the first names of the three sons.
Possible family: Robert Forde, Annie Forde, Unknown male (born 15th November 1882), Thomas G Forde (born 3rd October 1884), Robert Forde (born 20th December 1888).
The 1901 census lists Robert as 11 years old, living with the family at house 16 in Bardahessiagh, The Rock, County Tyrone. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Robert as 22 years old, living with the family at house 4 in Bardahessiagh, Rock. Robert was working on his father’s farm.
Prior to enlisting, Robert Forde was a section leader with Pomeroy Company of Ulster Volunteers.
Robert joined with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, County Donegal.
Robert attained the rank of Corporal.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th April 1915:
Lance Corporal Forde is at present on a visit home from the Randalstown camp. Before volunteering for Kitchener’s Army he was a section leader of the local companies of Pomeroy U.V.F, and one of the best in the force, and his success, and the honoured promotion he has gained, is hailed with delight by all his comrades in Pomeroy.
While the battalion was training at Randalstown, County Antrim, Corporal Robert Forde contracted scarlet fever and was taken to hospital in Antrim town where he died of his illness on 27th May 1915.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915: Pomeroy Volunteer’s Death
The remains of Corporal Robert Forde, of the 9th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, stationed at Randalstown, were buried with full military honours in Antrim Cemetery on Saturday. The deceased, who was a native of Bardahessiagh, Pomeroy, was a young man of sterling character, and was a general favourite in the camp. He had been an esteemed section leader of the Pomeroy Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F, and on volunteering for service with the Inniskillings, was rapidly promoted. He became ill with scarlet fever a short time ago, and was removed to Antrim Hospital, where he died. A detachment of officers and men from Randalstown attended the funeral, and wreaths were sent by the officers and men of the battalion. The coffin, which was covered with a Union Jack, was borne on a gun carriage, which was preceded by a detachment of the deceased’s comrades and band with muffled drums. The father of the deceased and Lieutenant Colonel R T G Lowry, D.L., Pomeroy House, followed immediately behind the coffin, and there was a large attendance of the general public. The services were conducted by Rev W A Adams, B.A., chaplain of the forces, Antrim, and Rev George Kelly, B.A., of Pomeroy, and the last named paid a tribute at the graveside to the esteem in which the deceased had been held in his native district. The solemn service at the grave was concluded by the sounding of the Last Post by the buglers.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th June 1915: Pomeroy
L.O.L. No. 325 met in the Orange Hall on Friday evening, the W.M. presiding, several candidates were passed for the next meeting. The W.M. said since their last meeting, death had claimed one of their members, Corporal R Forde, 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The lodge has lost one of it’s most best members. A vote of sympathy was passed to the deceased’s father, the members standing. The 1st of July parade was arranged. A social meeting followed.
Corporal Robert Forde is interred in Antrim Cemetery, County Antrim.
The CWGC record Corporal Robert Forde as the son of Robert Forde of Bardahessiagh, Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
The CWGC list Corporal Robert Forde as the husband of Anna Forde. It is not known how accurate this information is.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Bardahessiagh Pomeroy Census listing in Bardahessiagh 54.612045 -6.881091
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Forde family 1901 census lists Robert as 11 years old at house 16 in Bardahessiagh, The Rock, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Forde family 1911 census lists Robert as 22 years old at house 4 in Bardahessiagh, The Rock, Tyrone
3 Presbyterian ROH Pomeroy Robert Forde. Died
4 War Graves Photographic Project Gravestone photo of Corporal Robert Forde can be purchased here.
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023