C Battery 53rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (British Army)
Died:
19/12/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
20
Summary
Gunner John Devlin was born in Ballinderry, County Londonderry. Prior to the outbreak of war he was working in Stockton-on-Tees, England. At the age of 19 he volunteered and went to the Western Front in May 1915 He had written a letter home prior to Christmas 1915 saying that he hoped to get leave for a week in the New Year of 1916, but his family received no more news until the report of his death.
Further Information
John Devlin was born about 1896. He was a native of Ballinderry.
In the 1911 census there is John Devlin, aged 16, living with his aunt and uncle, James Devlin, in Ballinderry.
At the age of 19 he volunteered and went to the Western Front in May 1915 where he took part in many fierce engagements, including the Battle of Loos.
Prior to the outbreak of war John was working in Stockton-on-Tees, England.
He had written a letter home prior to Christmas 1915 saying that he hoped to get leave for a week in the New Year of 1916.
Gunner John Devlin was serving with the ‘C’ Battery in the 53rd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery when he was killed in action in Belgium on Sunday 19th Dec 1915.
The report of his death was sent to his uncle, James Devlin, Churchill, Ballinderry Bridge.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd January 1916: Gunner John Devlin, 53rd Brigade
Gunner Devlin was a native of Ballinderry, and a general favourite. He was working in Stockton-on-Tees at the outbreak of war and soon volunteered. He was only 19 years of age, and after training he was sent out in May, and took part in many fierce engagements with the enemy, including the fight of Loos, were so many British soldiers were wiped out in September last. He wrote home saying he expected to get a week’s leave at the New Year, but no more news came until the report of his death to his uncle, Mr James Devlin, Churchhill, Ballinderry Bridge.
John Devlin is buried in Plot 1, Row B, Grave 55 at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. He is commemorated on Stewartstown Cenotaph.
He is commemorated on Stewartstown and Coagh War Memorials.
