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Edward Phair joined the Battalion in 1915 and took part in the Battles of La Bassee and Leventie, and Loos. The Irish Guards were moved to the Somme region and took part in the capture of the village of Guillemont in September 1916. |
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The book ‘Portrush Heroes 1914-18’ lists Edward on page 84. |
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Edward Leo Phair was the only son of Richard and Margaret Phair. |
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Margaret was born in England, so this may explain the difficulty in finding a marriage record in GRONI. |
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Edward was born in the Pomeroy area near Cookstown on 22nd April 1890. |
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Family: Richard Phair, Margaret Phair, Annie Marie Phair (born 30th April 1887, Stewartstown), Margaret Phair (born 3rd November 1888, Pomeroy), Edward Phair (born 22nd April 1890, Pomeroy), May Jane Phair (born 25th May 1892, Loughgall). |
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By the time of the 1901 census, Edward was listed as age 9, living with the family at house 109 in Causeway Street, Portrush. His father was a general labourer. |
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Edward worked as a gardener at the Northern Counties Hotel in Portrush prior to enlisting with the Irish Guards in Coleraine. |
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In the winter of 1916 he was given leave while suffering from a bad case of trench foot. He went home to recuperate and later rejoined his Battalion which was still based around Gouazeaucourt on the Somme. |
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The Irish Guards were later moved to Belgium and in the fighting near Poperinghe on the 9th October 1917, Private Phair was seriously wounded. |
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Private Edward Leo Phair was taken to a casualty clearing station where he died of his wounds the next day on 10th October 1917. |
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Private Edward Leo Phair is buried in Dozinghem Cemetery, Belgium. |
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Private Edward Phair is commemorated on Coleraine War Memorial and Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour, Portrush. |
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The CWGC record Private Edward Leo Phair as the son of Richard and Margaret Phair, of 4 Brookvale Terrace, Portrush, Co. Antrim |
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The 1911 census lists Edward as age 20, living with the family at house 34 in Glenmanus, Ballylagan, County Londonderry. Both Edward and his father were general labourers. |
