Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Fusilier William J Harkness
Date Information
18/12/2020 ‘No mother’s care did him attend
18/12/2020 Far from his native land he lies.’
18/12/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th August 1943: Roll of Honour
18/12/2020 HARKNESS – July 1943, in the Middle East, Private William Harkness, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action.
18/12/2020 Nor over him did a father bend
18/12/2020 No sister near to shed a tear
18/12/2020 Or brother by his words to hear.
18/12/2020 Deeply regretted by his father, mother, brothers and sisters. Donaghrisk, Tullyhogue.
18/12/2020 Sick, dying in a foreign land
18/12/2020 No loved one by to take his hand
18/12/2020 A faithful comrade closed his eyes,
18/12/2020
11/10/2020 In a hallowed grave unknown
11/10/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 14th July 1945: Roll of Honour - In Memorial
11/10/2020
11/10/2020 HARKNESS – 19th July 1943 in the Middle East, Private William John Harkness, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action
11/10/2020 ‘He sleeps far away in a foreign land
11/10/2020 But his name is written in letters of gold
11/10/2020 On the hearts he left at home.’
11/10/2020 Ever remembered by father, mother, brothers and sisters. Donaghrisk, Tullyhogue.
11/07/2020
11/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd July 1944:
11/07/2020 We only knew he passed away, and never said goodbye.’
11/07/2020 ‘We never knew what pain he had, we did not see him die.
11/07/2020 Will always be remembered by father, mother, brothers and sisters. Donaghrisk, Tullyhogue.
11/07/2020 HARKNESS – In loving memory of William John Harkness, killed in action in Sicily, 10th July 1943.
10/09/2019 Fusilier William Harkness served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the war.
10/09/2019 William James Harkness was the second son of William Harkness and Susan Harkness. William Harkness and Susan Harrison were married on 17th February 1910 in the district of Cookstown.
10/09/2019 The 1911 census lists the Harkness family at house 1 in Loughry Demesne, Tullaghogue. William’s father was a gardener, presumably at Loughry. The only other person living and working in the Loughry Demesne was a cattle farmer.
10/09/2019 William Harkness was born on 5th October 1916 in the Cookstown area.
10/09/2019 Known family: William Harkness, Susan Harkness, Robert Harkness (born 25th November 1912), Mary Harkness (born 29th July 1914), William J Harkness (born 5th October 1916).
10/09/2019 By the time of 2nd World War, William was the husband of Mary J Harkness,
10/09/2019 On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the North African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy.
10/09/2019 The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was vigorous and stubborn.
10/09/2019 The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17th August when the two allied forces came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines.
10/09/2019 Fusilier William Harkness was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Sicily when he was killed in action at the Battle of Lemon Bridge on 19th July 1943.
10/09/2019 Fusilier Robert Gildea was killed in the same battle.
10/09/2019 Fusilier William Harkness is buried Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. His inscription reads: ASLEEP IN JESUS. EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING WIFE MARY.
10/09/2019 The CWGC record Fusilier William J Harkness as the son of William Harkness, and of Susan Harkness (nee Harrison). He is also recorded as the husband of Mary J Harkness of Coalisland, County Tyrone.
10/09/2019
10/09/2019 The family went on to live at Killycolp, a mile or so away.
30/12/2015 The following verse appeared in the Mid Ulster Mail on his anniversary in 1950:
30/12/2015
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 It was our last farewell"
30/12/2015 I little thought dear son,
30/12/2015 You looked so bright and well
30/12/2015 "When Last I saw your smiling face,
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