WW1 Database

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Captain Henry Douglas Wilkin , RN June 1912

Thank you to the wonderful gents in 'The Great War' Forum for all their help in identifying the above guy
meems@marylennon.co.uk

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Patrick O'Halloran (top photos and seated) and John Higgins (brother-in-law)

Rachel died 1921 Robert James

Samuel d:1916 John d:1916 George d:1916 David Joseph Thomas Walter William d:1919 Robert James jnr.

13th January 1900- Letter from Downpatrick man Corporal R.J. Love of the 1st Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders to his parents.

"Since I wrote on 30th November we have not moved beyond three miles. On Sunday last, the Highland Brigade moved towards the Boer's position and halted about a mile off. Our artillery opened fire and kept at it until dark. After twelve o'clock we advanced across the veldt in mass of battalions and nobody except the Generals knew the idea. We marched up in the blackness to within fifty yards of the enemy's trenches, without knowing it. Then all at once from the outer trenches and from the hill entrenchments and sides there came a storm of shot and shell through our ranks. It was terrible in the darkness.

The Brigade was disorganised , the regiments being driven back on the top of one another. We reformed and advanced again only to be repulsed. The Boers, who were in great strength, had their naturally strong position honeycombed with trenches. In front of these was barbed wire. It was cruel, for as we rushed up we could not get away. The Boers know the exact distance of it and mowed us down. It was awful.

The Brigade lost its commander, General Wauchope, once colonel of the Black Watch and about 600 killed, wounded or missing. Our colonel, a major and a lieutenant were killed with 24 rank and file and over 100 seriously wounded. On Tuesday there were something like 70 buried in two hours. It was madness to march in mass as we did and everybody out here says so. We hope to avenge our dead comrades. "

Reprinted 5th Jan 2000 Down Recorder

These medals are on display at the Somme Heritage Centre, they belong to Joseph Thompson

ANGUS BROTHERS
JOHN BLAIR ANGUS KIA 1916 - JAMES ANGUS KIA 1916 - ROBERT ANGUS KIA 1916

Lance-Corporal R. Angus (Killed)
Lance Cpl. R. Angus, who was killed in France on 9th July was a native of the North of Ireland, and his parents reside at Bangor, near Belfast. He came to Irvine about 3½ years ago, and prior to joining the Army about half a year ago he was employed in Messrs. Alex. Walker's chemical works and was well known in the harbour district of the ?. He was 22 years of age, and was unmarried. He had two brothers in the Army, one of whom was killed on 1st July. (all three died in 1916)

BRENNAN
Robert and Mary Brennan with children Charlie and Catherine (Kitty) taken in Dublin 1914/1915

D Coy R.I.R. Randalstown Camp No. 32 Hut 1914 (Ernest with arms folded)

Ernest in the Drawing Office of Harland & Wolff (back row second from left)

Ernest with towel - it looks like the same man beside Ernest in all 3 above photos, does anyone recognise him? meems@marylennon.co.uk

No. 16 Platoon (Ernest 4th row up on the end)
this is a postcard on the back it says:- We arrived in Bundoran at 4 o'c, the journey was sickening, it took us 5½ hours in the train. The weather is lovely but very cold. We are in a room together, I think there is 11 as they are not all in yet. Please send me a lot of papers, G. McCartney will give you a lot he thinks I will want. We are in rotten form after the leave, but we are better after a good feed.

Ernest's Confirmation Card 29th June 1913 and his Unionist membership Card

a letter home from Ernest to his mother:-
Seaford, Sunday 18/7/15
Dear Mother, I am sending you home my washing this week & will do so from this on you might please send it back this week as soon as you can. The others have not come back from the laundry yet. I hope you are keeping all right & all at home. We had very bad weather all week and only did 2 short marches and got inspected by Lieut.-Gen. Sir A. Murray, Deputy Chief of the Imperial Staff. We got well praised for our turn out. To-day is very warm & we had an open air Service this morning. I have not been outside Seaford again yet but I must have another run to Brighton or Seaford when I have some more money. There are a good many Dunmurry chaps about the town & I saw H. Lecky the other night. There was an aeroplane and an airship flew over the camp this week & an aeroplane flew over the camp to-day. I am just after a bathe this evening along the front. It is great health. You might please send me a box of tooth powder as mine is done. My Aunt Louie sent me a letter, but she just said if I wanted anything or needed anything to let her know. It was in the papers there was a demonstration here on the 12th but I did not see any of it. I got the paper father sent. There is nothing more at present. Hoping father & all at home are well. Your loving son Ernie xxx Monday night P.S. Lord Kitchener is coming here to inspect us to-morrow (Tuesday)
THOMAS ERNEST (Ernie) BRUCE