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Rifleman Sweeney served with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. |
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Patrick Sweeney was the son of James and Margaret Sweeney. James Sweeney married Margaret Donnelly / Donnell about 1890. |
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Patrick and his twin brother James were born at Ballygillen, near Ballinderry Bridge, County Londonderry on 7th August 1891. Patrick was one of eight children, six surviving. |
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The family moved around quiet a lot and children were born in both Maghera and Dungiven. |
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The 1901 census lists Patrick as age 9, living with the family at house 73 in Shanoguestown, County Antrim. His father was a labourer. |
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Family: James Sweeney, Margaret Sweeney, James Sweeney (born 7th August 1891, Magherafelt), Patrick Sweeney (born 7th August 1891, Magherafelt), John Sweeney (born 5th July 1894, Dungiven), Samuel Sweeney (born 9th May 1896, Maghera, died 24th October 1897, Belfast, age 1), Joseph Sweeney (born about 1899), Margaret Sweeney (born 28th August 1900, Antrim), Annie Sweeney (born 23rd December 1902, Antrim), Samuel Sweeney (born 12th January 1905, Antrim). |
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Although living in the townland of Lismenary in one of the (now derelict) cottages beside the new Ballybracken roundabout in Ballynure, Patrick Sweeney enlisted in Belfast. |
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The battalion had been in billets at Bac St. Maur from the 5th May 1915. At 11.00pm on the 8th May they marched to the assembly trenches at La Cordonnerie Farm. The operation was part of an attempt to take Aubers Ridge, co-ordinated with the French attack at Souchez. |
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Rifleman Patrick Sweeney was killed in action on Sunday 9th May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge close to Festubert. |
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Rifleman Patrick Sweeney has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 9 at Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. |
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The CWGC record Rifleman Patrick Sweeney as the son of James Sweeney of Lismenary, Ballynure, County Antrim. |
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Last Will and Testament of Private Patrick Sweeney dated 3rd November 1914: |
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In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my father James Sweeney, Ballybracken, Ballynure, Co Antrim, Ireland. 3/11/14. Patrick Sweeney. Rifleman Irish Rifles. |
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The 1911 census does not list Patrick as living with the family at house 29 in Hardinge Street, Belfast. Both his twin and his father were general labourers. |
