Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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June's Updates
Date Name Information
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman But all is well that’s done by Thee.’
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman ‘We cannot Lord, Thy purpose see,
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman FREEMAN - 7th February 1944, died at seas as the result of an accident, William Hamilton Freeman, blacksmith, Royal Navy. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing aunt Lota and uncle Alex Wallace, High Cross, Tullyhogue.
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman 02379
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th March 1944: Roll of Honour
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman FREEMAN - 7th February 1944, as the result of an accident, William Hamilton Freeman, blacksmith, Royal Navy, died at sea, only son of Hugh and Mary Freeman. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing mother, father and sister, Dorothy. Deep in our hearts, his memory will forever linger. Mr and Mrs Freeman would like to thank all kind friends who wrote and sympathised with them in their sad bereavement of their son. They hope this acknowledgement will be accepted by all. 98 Church Street, Cookstown.
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman 02378
30/06/2020 Blacksmith William Hugh Freeman From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th March 1944: Roll of Honour
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter Lovingly remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, Cissie and Billie Bigger. Shaw’s Bridge, County Down.
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter But not too far to think of thee.’
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter ‘Too far away his grave to see.
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter SHUTER – Result of enemy action – In loving and affectionate remembrance of my dear brother William, who died on through enemy action died on 14th March 1941, and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter 02377
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944:
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter Ever remembered by his loving father, mother, brothers and sister-in-law. Killymuck, Moneymore.
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter And the sorrow that’s silently borne.’
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter It’s the lonely tears of the after years,
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter That show that the heart is torn;
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter ‘It is not the tears at the time that are shed,
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter SHUTER – Result of enemy action – In loving and affectionate remembrance of our dear son and brother William, who died on 14th March 1941 as the result of enemy action, and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter 02376
30/06/2020 Civilian William Shuter From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944:
30/06/2020 Maj Gilbert William Nangle Colonel K E Nangle, J.P., and Mrs Nangle of Ballyeglish, Moneymore, has received intimation that their eldest son, Major G W Nangle, of the Gurkha Rifles, has been killed in action. Major Nangle was educated at Sedbergh School and the Royal Military College, Camberley. He received his commission in the Indian Army in 1923 and served in India until 1934, when he sent in his resignation. Peace-time soldiering did not appeal to him and the government were cutting down the Army and anxious for officers to retire. He then fought as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War in 1936, and in 1938 was given a commission in the Palestinian Police Force. But in 1941 the call to arms was too strong for him to resist and he sent in his resignation, which was accepted with regret by the Chief Commissioner. He was again given a commission in the Indian Army. When volunteers where asked for to join the Indian Long Range Squadron, he put in for it and went to North Africa early in 1942. A war correspondent has written of this unit:- ‘It’s history is an epic which as still to be told.’. it was used for recognisance and demolition work and often operated mils behind the German and Italian lines, finding a way through the desert by navigation. Its work in Africa was finished in the summer of 1943, and shortly afterwards Captain Nangle (as he then was) joined the Gurkha Rifles, where he was quickly promoted. His regiment, which already had a splendid record in this war, was lately sent to Central Mediterranean Force, where it is seeing heavy fighting. Another of Colonel and Mrs Nangle’s sons, lieutenant Colonel G S Nangle, is commanding a battalion of the Gurkhas.
30/06/2020 Maj Gilbert William Nangle 02375
30/06/2020 Maj Gilbert William Nangle From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944: Moneymore Officer Killed – Major G W Nangle
29/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers JEFFERS – The officers and members of Drumconvis L.O.L. No 794 regret the death of their esteemed member, Bro Sandy Jeffers (killed in action in the Central Mediterranean), and son of their esteemed member Bro Alec Jeffers, and render to him, his wife and family, their deepest sympathy. W J McKnight (Sec.)
29/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers 02374
29/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944:
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke 02373
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke 02372
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Flight Sergeant Edwin Archibald TOOLE (R/53246) Flight Engineer
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Flight Lieutenant Maurice PASSMORE (116910) Pilot
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Warrant Officer Class I Ralph Edward HAWKEN (R/81068) Air Gunner
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Flight Lieutenant Eldon Burke ELLIOTT (J/4524) Navigator
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Flight Sergeant William Joseph DOWLE (1066563) Air Gunner
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Flight Lieutenant Hugh Irvine CRAWFORD (411065) Wireless Operator
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Warrant Officer Class I James Herbert Stevenson CLARKE (R/79118) Bomb Aimer
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke The CWGC record Warrant Officer Class I James Herbert Stevenson Clarke as the adopted son of Elizabeth H Clarke, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Warrant Officer Class James Herbert Stevenson Clarke is buried in Belgrade War Cemetery in what is now Serbia, part of the old state of Yogoslavia. His inscription reads: SPLENDID YOU PASSED, YOU HONOURED THE CALL OF GOD, KING AND COUNTRY
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke His grandparents, his mother and married sisters all resided in Canada at the time of his death.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke The aircraft did not return. It struck a hilltop four miles north of Kosinjski Zamost, 60 miles southeast of Fiume, on Adriatic coast of Croatia. All seven crew were killed. They were:
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke On the evening of 3rd November 1943, a Liberator (Serial No. AL509) took off from its Libyan base for a night mission supply-dropping for Yugoslav partisans, codename Fungus 35. Warrant Officer Class James Clarke was bomb aimer, part of a seven man crew.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke By November 1944, Warrant Officer Class James Clarke was with 148 (R.A.F.) Squadron.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke In March he went overseas.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke James Herbert Stevenson Clarke received his wings in February 1942.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force from the college.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke James attended Montreal Diocesan College.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke He emigrated to Canada at a young age.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke James was the grandson of Mr and Mrs James Stevenson of Maghera, formerly of Millburn Street, Cookstown
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke James was educated at Oldtown School under Miss Ramsay and Mr George Ramsay, J.P.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke James Herbert Stevenson Clarke was the son of Mrs J H Clarke. He was born in Cookstown about 1920.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke He was born in Cookstown and educated at Oldtown School under Miss Ramsay and Mr George Ramsay, J.P. On going to Canada he entered Montreal Diocesan College from which he enlisted, and received his wings in February 1942, and came overseas a month later. It is understood he was killed while on a mission for the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was a bomb aimer and unfortunately his plane crashed. Besides his grandparents he leaves his mother and married sisters, all in Canada.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke Warrant Officer J H S Clarke, son of Mrs J H Clarke, of Outremont, Canada, and grandson of Mr and Mrs James Stevenson of Maghera, and formerly of Millburn Street, Cookstown, who was reported missing, is now presumed dead.
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke 02371
28/06/2020 Sgt. James Herbert S Clarke rom the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944: Canadian Airman Presumed Killed
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin At a meeting of Orritor ‘Invincible Purple Heroes’ L.O.L No. 625 on Friday evening, Bro William H Black, W.M. of L.O.L. 199 presiding, the W.M. said he had a mournful duty to perform in asking the members to pass a vote of condolence with Bro Joseph Loughrin on the tragic death, in the service of his country, of his eldest son. It was young men like him who, by their heroic sacrifice, enabled us to meet in peace and harmony. The vote of sympathy was passed, all members standing in silence.
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin 02370
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th March 1944: Orange News
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin The parents of a young Royal air Force sergeant, who was home on leave only at Christmas last, having received news of his death on active service. He was Sergeant R T Garth Loughrin, a flight engineer, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Loughrin, of Mackney, Cookstown. Sergeant Loughrin, who was only 20 years old, joined the Royal Air force in April last, and just before Christmas received his sergeant’s stripes. He was educated at Cookstown High School and went to Belfast two years ago to serve his apprenticeship as an electrician with Messrs Greaves Ltd, Falls Road. He had been interred in the R.A.F. Regional Cemetery at Harrogate.
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin 02369
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th March 1944: Cookstown R.A.F. Sergeant Killed
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin Mr and Mrs J G Loughrin and family desire to return their sincere thanks to all those who sympathised with them in their sad bereavement, especially those who called at the home, and members of various organisations and friends for letters of condolence; also the W.V.S. and past and present pupils of Orritor School for the beautiful wreath they sent (per Mrs Crooks of Orritor). Mackney, Cookstown.
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin LOUGHRIN – March 1944, Sergeant R T (Garth) Loughrin, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, eldest son of Mr J G Loughrin, Mackney, Cookstown. Interred in R.A.F. Regional Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing father, mother, brothers and sisters. ‘Per ardua ad astra atque ultra’ (through adversity to the stars and beyond).
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin 02368
27/06/2020 Sgt. Robert Thomas Garth Loughrin From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th March 1944: Roll of Honour
26/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers The quarterly meeting of Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10 was held in Coagh Orange Hall, Bro James Sloss, D.D.M., in the chair and Bro William Nesbitt, District Secretary, in the vice-chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Bro A Forsythe, D.M., of L.O.L. No. 1436. Resolutions of sympathy were also passed to the following Orangemen of the District who have lost sons killed in action:- Bros Thomas Currie, Samuel Hartley and Alex Jeffers.
26/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers 02367
26/06/2020 Fus Alexander (Sandy) Jeffers From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th February 1944: Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10
26/06/2020 Ab Sea John (Jack) Hartley The quarterly meeting of Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10 was held in Coagh Orange Hall, Bro James Sloss, D.D.M., in the chair and Bro William Nesbitt, District Secretary, in the vice-chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Bro A Forsythe, D.M., of L.O.L. No. 1436. Resolutions of sympathy were also passed to the following Orangemen of the District who have lost sons killed in action:- Bros Thomas Currie, Samuel Hartley and Alex Jeffers.
26/06/2020 Ab Sea John (Jack) Hartley 02367
26/06/2020 Ab Sea John (Jack) Hartley From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th February 1944: Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10
26/06/2020 Ord Sig Richard Curry The quarterly meeting of Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10 was held in Coagh Orange Hall, Bro James Sloss, D.D.M., in the chair and Bro William Nesbitt, District Secretary, in the vice-chair. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Bro A Forsythe, D.M., of L.O.L. No. 1436. Resolutions of sympathy were also passed to the following Orangemen of the District who have lost sons killed in action:- Bros Thomas Currie, Samuel Hartley and Alex Jeffers.
26/06/2020 Ord Sig Richard Curry 02367
26/06/2020 Ord Sig Richard Curry From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th February 1944: Coagh District L.O.L. No. 10
25/06/2020 Marine Samuel George Duncan Mrs Duncan, of Soran Cottage, Stewartstown, has received a card from her son, Samuel George Duncan, who was reported missing in April 1942. He is a prisoner of war in a camp in Thailand. He says he is in excellent health and working. This is the first news Mrs Duncan has received from him since January 1942, when she had a cable from Malaya to say he was safe and well. He was a survivor from H.M.S. Repulse.
25/06/2020 Marine Samuel George Duncan 02366
25/06/2020 Marine Samuel George Duncan From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th January 1944:
24/06/2020 Sgt. Edward Colhoun McLaughlin Edward’s father was a constable in the police.
24/06/2020 Sgt. Edward Colhoun McLaughlin MCLAUGHLIN – reported missing as the result of air operations on the night of 2nd / 3rd January, Sergeant Air Gunner Edward C McLaughlin, only son of Constable and Mrs E McLaughlin of Ballyronan.
24/06/2020 Sgt. Edward Colhoun McLaughlin 02365
24/06/2020 Sgt. Edward Colhoun McLaughlin From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th January 1944: Roll of Honour
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston The deceased young man, after serving his apprenticeship to the grocery business with Messrs. Henry and Faulkner of Cookstown, joined the Royal Navy in June 1941. He saw active service as he was on one of the warships in the relief of Malta. He was also at the landing and evacuation of Norway, but principally on convey work on the Murmansk route to Russia. His last home leave was in November 1942. He was only 21 years of age. Two of his sisters are in the A.T.S.
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston Mrs Johnston, of 97 Coagh Street, Cookstown, received a telegram on 13th December from the Royal Navy Barracks, Devonport, stating that her son, George Usher Johnston, acting Leading Stoker, had lost his life through drowning as the result of an accident when bathing from the ship’s side. The Commander conveyed severe sympathy with Mrs Johnston in her very sad loss.
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston 02364
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 1st January 1944: Cookstown Naval Raring Drowned
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston JOHNSTON – Drowned at sea, 13th December, Leading Stoker George Johnston, Royal Navy, only son of William and Annie Johnston. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing father and mother and sisters. Some day we will understand. Mr and Mrs Johnston wish to thank all friends who called or wrote expressing sympathy on their bereavement, 97 Coagh Street, Cookstown.
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston 02363
24/06/2020 Ld Stoker George Usher Johnston From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 1st January 1944: Roll of Honour
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke He gave his next of kin as Mrs Mary Cliff, 49 Laing Street, Grangetown, Yorkshire.
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke John Cooke enlisted on 11th March 1908. He had been living at 32 Paxton Street, Stockton for the previous three years.
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke John Thomas Cooke was the son of John and Alice Cooke.
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke 02362
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke 02361
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke 02360
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke 02359
06/06/2020 Stoker John Thomas Cooke 02358
06/06/2020 Ab Sea Malachy Hannon 02357
06/06/2020 Ab Sea Malachy Hannon 02356
06/06/2020 Ab Sea Malachy Hannon 02355
06/06/2020 Stoker 1st John Forrest 02353
06/06/2020 Stoker 1st John Forrest Stoker John Forest joined H.M.S Hampshire on 5th June 1916.
06/06/2020 Stoker 1st John Forrest John qualified as a 1st Class Stoker and was posted to H.M.S Victory.
06/06/2020 Stoker 1st John Forrest 02354
06/06/2020 Carp Crew Thomas McKeown Carpenter’s Crewman McKeown’s first ship was H.M.S. Natal which he joined on 8th December 1915 after training at Pembroke.
06/06/2020 Carp Crew Thomas McKeown 02352
06/06/2020 Carp Crew Thomas McKeown 02351
06/06/2020 Artificer Samuel Lyttle He served on HMS Fame from 9th August 1917 until his death.
06/06/2020 Artificer Samuel Lyttle Samuel Lyttle served on Pembroke from 5th May 1915 until 19th July 1915. He then served on St George from 20th July until 5th November 1915. He then served on Wallington from 6th November 1915 until 26th June 1916. He served on Pembroke again from 27th June 1916.
06/06/2020 Artificer Samuel Lyttle Samuel joined the Royal Navy on 25th May 1915. He became a trimmer and fitter.
06/06/2020 Artificer Samuel Lyttle 02350
06/06/2020 Artificer Samuel Lyttle 02349
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