Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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April's Updates
Date Name Information
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. Many thanks to Wesley Wright who uncovered also all of the the information here.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. Lieut Rogers was discharged on 19th November 1917 and became Lieutenant (Quartermaster).
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. Lieutenant John Rogers served in France from13th August 1914 until 19th November 1917.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. They lived at 685 Garscube Road, Glasgow and at 320 Baltic Street, Bridgetown Street Glasgow.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. John Rogers married Mary Jane Kane on 14th October 1904, presumably in Glasgow.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. He was also awarded included the Indian Mutiny Medal, with Clasp, for the Punjab campaign.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. Lieutenant (and Quartermaster) John Rogers was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.), probably in South Africa.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. John Rogers served in East India, Egypt, and South Africa.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. His father’s address was 36 Chapel Street, Cookstown
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. John Rogers was eighteen years old when he enlisted in Glasgow on 4th June 1894, joining the Gordon Highlanders.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. Prior to enlisting John had been a salesman.
21/04/2018 Lieut John Rogers D.C.M. John Rogers was the son of Francis and Mary Rogers. He was born about 1877 in the parish of Derryloran, Cookstown.
20/04/2018 Pte. Hugh McKeown No evidence can be found that Hugh McKeown was born in Cookstown
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Farm servant, at present a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I revoke all former wills. I give, devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever situated onto my father, David Mitchell of Dunmore, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland (farmer); my mother Annie Mitchell; my brothers Samuel Mitchell and George Ernest Mitchell (all of Dunmore) aforesaid in equal shares share and share alike. I appoint my brother, William James Mitchell, of Walruna, Otago (farmer) and William Moffatt of Clinton aforesaid, Stock Agent Executors of this will in witness whereof I have hereunto set my name this 25th May 1917.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Last Will and Testament of Private David Crooks Mitchell of Clinton, Otago:
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15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell In his will David left his effects to his family.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Private David Mitchell has no known grave and is commemorated at Buttes New British Cemetery (NZ) Memorial in Polygon Wood, Belgium.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Private David Crooks Mitchell was serving with the No 1 Company of the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment when he was killed in action in Belgium on 11 January 1918.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Private David Crooks Mitchell embarked on 13 August 1917 with the 29th Reinforcements F Company from Wellington, New Zealand bound for Glasgow, Scotland on the ship Ruahine.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell He gave his next of kin as his eldest brother, William J Mitchell who was by then living in Marine, Clinton, New Zealand.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell David Crooks Mitchell enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 2nd May 1917 in Balclutha, Otago, at the very southern point of the South Island.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Before enlisting, David was working as a farm labourer. He was living in Marine, Clinton, Otago and worked for James Brown
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell David had spent one year with the Territorial Army in New Zealand.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell It seems William went to live with relations at Northbrook Road, Rangiora - Jane Crooks and Crooks Mitchell. Another casualty form the Cookstown War Dead, Lance Corporal William John Crooks was their son.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Both David and his oldest brother William emigrated to New Zealand about 1914.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell The 1911 census lists David Crooks as age 19 living with the family at house 9 in Dunmore, Lissan Lower. He was still working on his father’s farm.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell The 1901 census lists David Crooks as age 9 living at house 37 in Dunmore, Lissan Lower. David was still at school but working on his father’s farm. David’s grandfather, John Mitchell, was also living with the family.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell Known family: David Mitchell, Annie Mitchell, William James Mitchell (born 16th September 1881), Alexander Mitchell (born 29th December 1883, died 19th June 1884), Mary Jane Mitchell (born 24th July 1885), Margaret Mitchell (born 29th February 1888), Annie Cary Mitchell (born 2nd February 1890), David Crooks Mitchell (born 28th March 1892), Samuel Mitchell (born 18th August 1895), Ellen Mitchell (born 13th September 1896), George Ernest Mitchell (born 17th March 1902).
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell David was born in the Cookstown area on 28th March 1892. His enlistment papers give that date as 1893. He was one of nine children, seven surviving.
15/04/2018 Pte. David Crooks Mitchell David Crooks Mitchell was the son of David and Annie Mitchell. David Mitchell and Annie Glasgow were married on 17th October 1880 in the district of Cookstown.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery Private Robert Montgomery is not listed on Pontypridd War Memorial, where he enlisted.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery Robert Montgomery was married to Alicia Montgomery. They had three children.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery The 1901 census records the family as living at Derrinleagh, Orritor, Tyrone – close to both Drum Manor and Wellbrook. Robert’s mother was a widow and working as a farm labourer.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery Known family: Alexander Montgomery, Margaret Jane Montgomery, Mina Minnie Montgomery (born 9th March 1885), Ellinore Montgomery (born 7th March 1886), Robert Montgomery (born 31st May 1887), Norah Mabel Montgomery (born 3rd April 1889), Ethel Julia Montgomery (born 2nd May 1890).
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery His father, Alexander Montgomery, died on 30th December 1890 in Cookstown, aged 51. Robert was just two years old.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery Robert Montgomery was born 31st May 1887 in Cookstown. He was one of at least five children.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery Robert Montgomery was the only son of Alexander and Margaret Jane Montgomery. Alexander Montgomery and Margaret Crooks were married on 15th November 1884 in the district of Cookstown.
11/04/2018 Pte. Robert Montgomery By the time of the 1911 census, his mother was living on her own in Derrinleagh, Orritor, Tyrone.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) The CWGC record Private Samuel Moore as the son of Samuel and Mary Freeman of Muff, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel Moore is commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial under his own name as Private S M Freeman.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Private Samuel Moore is buried in plot 6- row D- grave 4 at Combles Cemetery, France.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Private Samuel Moore was serving with the 7th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and it was later confirmed that he was killed in action on Tuesday 5th September 1916.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) His father Samuel Freeman had made numerous enquiries to the ‘War Office’ and for a long time little was known.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) For considerable time Samuel Moore was officially reported as missing after this attack.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) After considerable training they were taken to France and by September 1916 were close to Combles. On the 5th September they were to attack and take a trench which ran from Leuze Wood to Combles. At 4.00pm ‘B’ Company advanced in two lines followed by ‘C’ company in similar formation. They advanced about 800 yards and met comparatively little opposition until they found themselves held up by very thick and uncut barbed wire. As they attempted to break through this they were met by a withering fire from enemy machine-guns. They then attempted to dig in where they were. ‘A’ and ‘D’ companies were moved up but despite repeated gallant attempts they were unable to break through the wire. During this attack the battalion lost forty two men.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel Moore joined the 7th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel Moore enlisted in Randalstown, County Antrim, using his mother’s maiden name.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) The 1911 census lists Samuel as age 23, a servant at house 4 in Lismoney, Moneyhaw, County Londonderry. He was working and living with William Conn, a blacksmith.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) The 1911 census does not list Samuel as living with the family at house 29 in Marine Street, Duncairn Ward, Belfast.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Family: Samuel Freeman, Mary Jane Freeman, Samuel Freeman (born 13th August 1888, Coleraine), Hugh Moore Freeman (born 21st January 1891, Dervock), Henry Freeman (born 16th June 1892, Coleraine), Francis Moore Freeman (born about 1895, Dervock), Sophia Freeman (born 22nd June 1897, Ballymoney), Eliza Jane Freeman (born about 1898), Joshua Buchanan Freeman (born 15th August 1899, Clough Ballymena), Edith Jurline White / Mary Freeman (born 25th February 1903, Moneymore).
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) The 1901 census lists Samuel as age 13, living with the family at house 3 in Ballyforlea, Moneyhaw, County Londonderry. He was still at school.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel’s father was a railway employee, which may be the reason the family moved around so much.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel Freeman was born on 13th August 1888 in Coleraine. It is believed he was the eldest of eight children, seven surviving.
06/04/2018 Pte. Samuel Freeman (Moore) Samuel Freeman was the son of Samuel Freeman and Mary Freeman. Samuel Freeman and Mary Moore were married on 29th January 1886 in the district of Coleraine.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan In his will, Patrick left all to his mother.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Last Will and Testament of Private Patrick H J Monaghan dated 26th August 1916:
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Private Patrick Monaghan’s condition gradually deteriorated and he died of his wounds on the Monday 9th October 1916.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Private Patrick Monaghan was serving with the Machine Gun Section in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in early October 1916 when Patrick was seriously wounded and taken to one of the Casualty Clearing Stations situated at Bailleul.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Patrick Monaghan enlisted in Castlerea, County Londonderry.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan The 1911 census does not list Patrick as living with the family at house 22 in Ballyneal More, The Loop, County Londonderry. Both parents were National School Teachers.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Known family: Charles Monaghan, Rose Ann Monaghan, Alice K Monaghan (born 27th August 1887), John Francis Monaghan (born 2nd April 1889), Patrick Monaghan (born 6th March 1892), Charles Alphonsus Monaghan (born 24th June 1893), Alexander James Monaghan (born 10th August 1896), Thomas Monaghan (born 16th October 1899), William Stanislaus Monaghan (born about 1900), Mary Rose Elizabeth Monaghan (born 14th August 1901), Francis Ignatius Monaghan (born 30th March 1905), Michael Eugene Monaghan (born 31st August 1906).
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan The 1901 census records Patrick as 9 years old. Patrick’s father was a school teacher. The family lived in Ballyneal More, Loop, County Londonderry.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Patrick Monaghan was born 6th March 1892 in Loup, County Londonderry. He was one of thirteen children, nine surviving.
06/04/2018 Pte. Patrick H J Monaghan Patrick Monaghan was the second son of Charles and Rose Monaghan. Charles Monaghan and Rose Ann McClenaghan were married about 1886.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills Private William Mills was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) when he was killed in action on Tuesday 15th June 1915.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills William Mills enlisted in Ayr, Scotland with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills William was living and working in Scotland at the outbreak of the First World War.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 112 in Pomeroy town.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills His father remarried later that year. Denis Mills and Mary McNally were married on 24th September 1908 in the district of Cookstown. They were both in their sixties.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills His mother died on 18th July 1908 in the district of Cookstown. She was 53 years old.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills The 1901 census does not list William as living with the family at house 4 in Gortnagarn, Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills Private Mills had served throughout the South African campaign.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills William was born in Carrickmore and lived in Pomeroy.
06/04/2018 Pte. William Mills William Mills was the son of Denis and Margaret Mills.
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02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan Sergeant Milligan is also commemorated on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WW1 Roll of Honour in Newmills Parish Church.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan Sergeant John Milligan has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan Six officers, including the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Audley Pratt D.S.O., along with 91 other ranks, were also killed on that day.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan Sergeant John Milligan was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck on Thursday 16th August 1917.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan During his time in the Army he had attained the rank of Sergeant.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan John Milligan enlisted in Cookstown with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan Known family: William Milligan, Jane Milligan, Jane Milligan (born 18th March 1884), James Milligan (born 4th May 1885), Joseph Milligan (born 20th January 1887), William Milligan (born 1st April 1888), Charles N P Milligan (born 16th September 1889), Hugh Milligan (born 5th February 1891), Elizabeth Milligan (born 17th January 1893), John R Milligan (born 4th December 1894), Mary Milligan (born 20th June 1898).
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan The 1911 census lists John R Milligan as age 16 living with the family at house 7 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. John was working as a clerk. His mother was a widow.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan William Mulligan died on 13th July 1910, aged 73.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan The 1901 census lists John R Milligan as age 6 living with the family at house 8 in Blacktown, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. William Milligan was a farmer.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan John R Milligan was born in Tullyrusher, Newmills, County Tyrone on 4th December 1894. He was the second youngest of at least nine children.
02/04/2018 Sgt. John Milligan John Milligan was the youngest son of William and Jane Milligan. William Milligan and Jane Richardson were born on 27th December 1882 in the district of Dungannon.
02/04/2018 Pte. William J Miller Private William Miller has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 42 on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.
02/04/2018 Pte. William J Miller Private William Miller was serving with the 7/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, on Wednesday 8th August 1917.
02/04/2018 Pte. William J Miller William Miller enlisted in Enniskillen.
02/04/2018 Pte. William J Miller William Miller was born and lived in Pomeroy.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar Millar, Sergeant, husband of Mrs Millar, Eagralougher, Loughgall, killed
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02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th July 1916:
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar The Commanding Officer has been pleased to make the following promotions and appointments, No 2 Company:- 13322 Lance Corporal (Acting Corporal) R Miller, appointed paid Lance Sergeant from 19th May 1916. Vice Lance Sergeant Adams promoted.
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02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar From the Tyrone Constitution dated 23rd June 1916: Promotions and Appointments (truncated version):
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar The 1911 census lists Robert James as age 36, living with his mother at house 13 in Millburn Street, Cookstown.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar In April 1916, Lance Corporal Robert Miller of No 2 Company was appointed Acting Corporal.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar The following promotions and appointments in the 9th Inniskillings are notified:- 13322 Lance Corporal R Miller, No 2 Company, appointed Acting Corporal.
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02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar From the Tyrone Constitution dated 28th April 1916: Promotions and Appointments (truncated version)
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar Robert was the husband of Elizabeth Jane Millar.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar Robert Millar enlisted at Kingstown, now Dun Laoghaire, with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar The 1901 census lists Robert as age 25, living with his mother at house 21 in Millburn Street, Cookstown. His father had died. Robert worked as a tailor.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar Robert was born about 1876 in Derryloran, Cookstown.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar There was a Joseph Miller who married a Mary Guess on 5th March 1870 in Cookstown. There was also a Joseph Miller who married a Mary Crooks on 23rd July 1870 in Cookstown.
02/04/2018 L/Sgt Robert James Millar Robert James Millar was a son of Joseph and Mary Millar.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs Maggie McWilliams, Tullynure Cottage, Lissan, Cookstown, County Derry, Ireland. Private 23065, 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 1 July 1916.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Last Will and Testament of Private Michael McWilliams dated 1st July 1916:
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams There is a J McWilliams commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial, which is now presumed to be Private Michael McWilliams. He is mentioned briefly in the Cookstown War Dead book, on page 302, which speculates that he may have survived the war.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Private Michael McWilliams has no known grave and is commemorated on the panel 4D-5B on Thiepval Memorial in France.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams In his will, Michael left his effects to his mother, who was living at Tullynure Cottage in Lissan, Cookstown.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams During the attack on the 9th September, the 7th Inniskillings moved across the open ground, encountering an intense enemy barrage of machine gun fire and shrapnel in which 3 officers and 43 other ranks of the battalion were killed.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Private Michael McWilliams was serving with the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on Saturday 9th September 1916.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams The 7th Inniskillings formed part of 49 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division and were moved to the Somme in August 1916. On the 8th September 1916 the 7th Inniskillings spent the night at Carnoy and then moved to Guillemont for the attack on Ginchy the following day.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Michael enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Cookstown.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams By the time of the 1911 census, Michael was no longer living with the family, who were living in Caneese, Lissan Upper, County Londonderry.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Known family: John McWilliams, Margaret McWilliams, Michael McWilliams (born 20th September 1893), Catherine McWilliams (born 19th August 1895), Mary Anne McWilliams (born about 1898), Bridget McWilliams (born about 1900), John McWilliams (born 17th March 1902, died 25th April 1902), John McWilliams (born 20th October 1903), Bella Margaret McWilliams (born 10th August 1909).
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams The 1901 census records Michael as 7 years old. He was living with the family at Clagan, Lissan Upper, County Londonderry. John McWilliams worked as a labourer.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Michael McWilliams was born in Lissan, near Moneymore on 20th September 1893. He was the oldest of seven children, five surviving. They all seem to have been born in Lissan.
02/04/2018 Pte. Michael McWilliams Michael McWilliams was the eldest son of John and Maggie McWilliams. John McWilliams and Margaret McIlkennan were married on 10th November 1892 in the district of Cookstown.
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