The 36th Ulster Division & The Battle of the Somme
The 36th Ulster Division
By the beginning of 1916, the Great War (or 'World War One' as it became known) was locked in a stalemate. The rapid movement of the war's early weeks had ground to a halt and given way to static lines of trenches. The miserable lives of the soldiers who occupied these trenches were blighted by death, sickness, artillery shells and machine gun fire.
No one was 'winning' and morale was low. Lord Kitchener, the British 'Minister of War', realised that - in order to move the war forwards - he would have to build 'A New Army' composed of civilian volunteers raised from all areas of the British Isles. His massive New Army would be 1.2 million strong. They became known as 'Kitchener's Men'.
In order to compose this New Army, a number of new divisions had to be raised. One of them was the 36th Ulster Division. Kitchener (knowing the strength and power of the 100,000-strong, fully-armed Ulster Volunteer Force) approached Sir Edward Carson and asked him for help in raising the 36th Ulster Division. He was hoping to raise a single brigade (i.e. 4 battalions) from the UVF. Instead, thanks to Carson's help, he raised a whole division (i.e. 3 brigades) from the UVF. For this reason, the 36th Ulster Division became known as 'Carson's Army'.
No one was 'winning' and morale was low. Lord Kitchener, the British 'Minister of War', realised that - in order to move the war forwards - he would have to build 'A New Army' composed of civilian volunteers raised from all areas of the British Isles. His massive New Army would be 1.2 million strong. They became known as 'Kitchener's Men'.
In order to compose this New Army, a number of new divisions had to be raised. One of them was the 36th Ulster Division. Kitchener (knowing the strength and power of the 100,000-strong, fully-armed Ulster Volunteer Force) approached Sir Edward Carson and asked him for help in raising the 36th Ulster Division. He was hoping to raise a single brigade (i.e. 4 battalions) from the UVF. Instead, thanks to Carson's help, he raised a whole division (i.e. 3 brigades) from the UVF. For this reason, the 36th Ulster Division became known as 'Carson's Army'.
The Battle of the Somme
Thiepval Wood was the location where the 36th Ulster Division commenced its heroic attack on the first morning of the Battle of the Somme. The distance between this starting point and the German first line was about 500 yards. It was then a further 400 yards to the notorious Schwaben Redoubt - a large, important, virtually impregnable German strong point.
At 7.20am, on 1st July 2016 (i.e. the first day of the battle), a huge mine was detonated under part of the German lines. Nine others exploded eight minutes later.
At 7.30am the bombardment stopped and an eerie silence fell across the Front.
Within a few seconds - bugles and whistles began to sound as the first of 120,000 soldiers rose from their trenches and went over the top. The Battle of the Somme had begun!
On the morning of the attack, the 36th Ulster Division was divided into ten battalions (each one numbering roughly 730 men). Large numbers of them had assembled in Thiepval Wood and were thus hidden for a short while from the attentions of the enemy. Also, just beyond their Front Line (and at the edge of no-man's-land), was a sunken road where others could lie concealed and prepare for the advance.
The Ulstermen, eager to go on the attack, were in a state of patriotic fervour because 1st July was the 'old style calendar' anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Many of them who belonged to the Loyal Orders wore sashes. Prayers were said, hymns were sung and the Ulster Division was ready for battle.
When the signal was given, the men of Ulster rose from their positions and charged into the pages of history. Within the next few hours, they performed immortal acts of courage, valour and heroism.
At 7.20am, on 1st July 2016 (i.e. the first day of the battle), a huge mine was detonated under part of the German lines. Nine others exploded eight minutes later.
At 7.30am the bombardment stopped and an eerie silence fell across the Front.
Within a few seconds - bugles and whistles began to sound as the first of 120,000 soldiers rose from their trenches and went over the top. The Battle of the Somme had begun!
On the morning of the attack, the 36th Ulster Division was divided into ten battalions (each one numbering roughly 730 men). Large numbers of them had assembled in Thiepval Wood and were thus hidden for a short while from the attentions of the enemy. Also, just beyond their Front Line (and at the edge of no-man's-land), was a sunken road where others could lie concealed and prepare for the advance.
The Ulstermen, eager to go on the attack, were in a state of patriotic fervour because 1st July was the 'old style calendar' anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Many of them who belonged to the Loyal Orders wore sashes. Prayers were said, hymns were sung and the Ulster Division was ready for battle.
When the signal was given, the men of Ulster rose from their positions and charged into the pages of history. Within the next few hours, they performed immortal acts of courage, valour and heroism.
The German First Line
At first, all went well for the Ulstermen. They rushed up the hill and took the German First Line after a short, fierce struggle.
The Schwaben Redoubt
Fired with success, they rushed on towards the formidable Schwaben Redoubt - a heavily fortified area on top of a hill criss-crossed with wire, trenches, and underground dug-outs. The leading battalions fought furiously to capture the Redoubt, but now things started to go wrong.
The 32nd Division (to their right) had been unable to capture Thiepval Village. As a result of this, the machine guns which they were intended to silence started to fire into the side of the attacking Ulstermen.
At the same time, German artillery (having had weeks to sort out their ranges) started to fire into the 'follow-up ranks' of four Belfast battalions.
No-man's-land became a death trap - with the 36th Ulster Division being attacked on 3 sides.
Some men started to waver but, roared on by cries of 'No Surrender!', they gained new strength and finally reached the Redoubt. The fighting was at close quarters and vicious but, by mid-morning, it was over and the Redoubt was in British hands.
The 32nd Division (to their right) had been unable to capture Thiepval Village. As a result of this, the machine guns which they were intended to silence started to fire into the side of the attacking Ulstermen.
At the same time, German artillery (having had weeks to sort out their ranges) started to fire into the 'follow-up ranks' of four Belfast battalions.
No-man's-land became a death trap - with the 36th Ulster Division being attacked on 3 sides.
Some men started to waver but, roared on by cries of 'No Surrender!', they gained new strength and finally reached the Redoubt. The fighting was at close quarters and vicious but, by mid-morning, it was over and the Redoubt was in British hands.
The German Second Line & The Stuff Redoubt
By the time the Schwaben Redoubt was taken, many officers had been killed. This meant that the ordinary soldiers were uncoordinated and lacked central command.
Patrols were sent out towards Thiepval and could perhaps have captured it from the rear, but this manoeuvre had not been rehearsed and the men had to return to the Schwaben Redoubt.
Two small parties went on towards the German Second Line and the Stuff Redoubt. However, unlike anywhere else in the whole Somme battlefield, the 36th Ulster Division were ahead of schedule - as a result, shells from British artillery started to fall upon them. Due to this, the Ulstermen had little choice but to return to the Schwaben Redoubt (despite the fact that, by this stage, the Germans would have been largely unable to defend their Second Line).
The 36th Ulster Division had no regular battalions attached to it to act as 'stiffeners', yet it advanced further than any other division. For four miles on either side of them, there were no British forces to distract the attention of German artillery or machine guns. The enemy was therefore able to gather its reserves and prepare a counter-attack.
The glorious advance of the 36th Ulster Division was over.
Patrols were sent out towards Thiepval and could perhaps have captured it from the rear, but this manoeuvre had not been rehearsed and the men had to return to the Schwaben Redoubt.
Two small parties went on towards the German Second Line and the Stuff Redoubt. However, unlike anywhere else in the whole Somme battlefield, the 36th Ulster Division were ahead of schedule - as a result, shells from British artillery started to fall upon them. Due to this, the Ulstermen had little choice but to return to the Schwaben Redoubt (despite the fact that, by this stage, the Germans would have been largely unable to defend their Second Line).
The 36th Ulster Division had no regular battalions attached to it to act as 'stiffeners', yet it advanced further than any other division. For four miles on either side of them, there were no British forces to distract the attention of German artillery or machine guns. The enemy was therefore able to gather its reserves and prepare a counter-attack.
The glorious advance of the 36th Ulster Division was over.
The Fall Back
Approximately 50,000 British soldiers had been killed or wounded by midday.
At the Schwaben Redoubt, the situation of the Ulstermen became increasingly perilous. Reinforcements could not cross no-man's-land. Ammunition was running low, machine guns still fired on them from Thiepval, shells were falling heavily upon them, and the Germans were counter-attacking with determined ferocity.
Relentlessly, more and more men became casualties and - when darkness fell after fourteen hours of fighting - the few remaining survivors fell back to the trenches from which they had attacked so valiantly that morning.
At no time on 1st July did the men of Ulster receive help from the divisions located on their flanks.
Over 2,000 of them died at Thiepval and over 2,700 were wounded. The combat was so fierce that only 165 of them were taken prisoner.
At the Schwaben Redoubt, the situation of the Ulstermen became increasingly perilous. Reinforcements could not cross no-man's-land. Ammunition was running low, machine guns still fired on them from Thiepval, shells were falling heavily upon them, and the Germans were counter-attacking with determined ferocity.
Relentlessly, more and more men became casualties and - when darkness fell after fourteen hours of fighting - the few remaining survivors fell back to the trenches from which they had attacked so valiantly that morning.
At no time on 1st July did the men of Ulster receive help from the divisions located on their flanks.
Over 2,000 of them died at Thiepval and over 2,700 were wounded. The combat was so fierce that only 165 of them were taken prisoner.
Victoria Crosses
Of the 9 Victoria Crosses that were awarded for outstanding bravery on 1st July 1916, 4 were won by men of the Ulster Division:
Captain E N F Bell, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; killed on 1st July and who has no known grave.
Lieutenant G S Cather, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers; killed on 2nd July and who has no known grave.
Private W F McFadzean, 14th Royal Irish Rifles; killed on 1st July and who has no known grave.
Private R Quigg, 12th Royal Irish Rifles; who survived the Battle of the Somme and died in 1955.
Captain E N F Bell, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; killed on 1st July and who has no known grave.
Lieutenant G S Cather, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers; killed on 2nd July and who has no known grave.
Private W F McFadzean, 14th Royal Irish Rifles; killed on 1st July and who has no known grave.
Private R Quigg, 12th Royal Irish Rifles; who survived the Battle of the Somme and died in 1955.
The Somme: A 140 Day Battle
The Somme offensive lasted several months - 140 days in total. Thiepval did not fall until late September. The Schwaben Redoubt fell in mid-October. The Battle of the Somme itself finally came to an end on 18th November 1916.
The Allies advanced a mere 6 miles.
Loses were high on all sides:
420,000 (Britain),
195,000 - 200,000 (France),
420,000 - 500,000 (Germany).
On the first day of battle alone, a total of 19,240 British soldiers died. 60% of the officers involved were killed.
The Allies advanced a mere 6 miles.
Loses were high on all sides:
420,000 (Britain),
195,000 - 200,000 (France),
420,000 - 500,000 (Germany).
On the first day of battle alone, a total of 19,240 British soldiers died. 60% of the officers involved were killed.
Commendation by King George V
"I recall the deeds of the 36th (Ulster) Division, which have more than fulfilled the high opinion formed by me on inspecting that force on the eve of its departure for the front. Throughout the long years of struggle, which now so gloriously ended, the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die."
Commendation by Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 & 1951 to 1955
"The record of the 36th Division will ever be the pride of Ulster. At Theipval in the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916; at Wytschaete on 17th June 1917, in the storming of the Messines Ridge; on the Canal du Nord, in the attack on the Hindenburg Line of 20th November the same year; on 21st March 1918, near Fontaine-les-Clercs, defending their positions long after they were isolated and surrounded by the enemy; and later in the month at Andechy in the days of 'backs to the wall', they acquired a reputation for conduct and devotion deathless in the military history of the United Kingdom, and repeatedly signalised in the despatches of the Commander-in-Chief."
Commendation by Philip Gibbs, War Correspondent
"Their attack was one of the finest displays of human courage in the world."
Commendation by Captain Wilfred Spender
"I am not an Ulsterman, but yesterday - the 1st. July - as I followed their amazing attack, I felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world. My pen cannot describe adequately the hundreds of heroic acts that I witnessed ...... The Ulster Volunteer Force, from which the division was made, has won a name which equals any in history. Their devotion deserves the gratitude of the British Empire ..... The Ulster Division has lost more than half the men who attacked and, in doing so, has sacrificed itself for the Empire which has treated them none too well. Their devotion, which no doubt has helped the advance elsewhere, deserved the gratitude of the British Empire. It is due to the memory of these brave fellows that their beloved Province shall be fairly treated."
Commendation by Colonel John Buchan, author of 'A History of the Great War'
"North of Theipval the Ulster Division broke through the enemy trenches, passed the crest of the ridge, and reached the point called the Crucifix, in rear of the first German position. For a little while they held the strong Schwaben Redoubt (where), enfiladed on three sides, they went on through successive German lines, and only a remnant came back to tell the tale. Nothing finer was done in the war. The splendid troops drawn from those Volunteers who had banded themselves together for another cause, now shed their blood like water for the liberty of the world."
Commendation by Arthur Conan Doyle, author of The Sherlock Holmes Stories
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes books, wrote in The Strand Magazine (May 1918) about "the magnificent conduct of the Ulster Division". Amongst other things, he said: "All soldiers would agree ... there was not one which could, at its highest, claim more than equality of achievement that day with the men of Ulster....(they) struck on to the German front lines with their full shattering momentum, going through it as though it were paper."
61 Men From the Ballymena Area Died on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. Their Names Are as Follows:
01. Rifleman William Anderson, 11th RIR, born in Broughshane, lived in Randalstown.
02. Rifleman David Anderson, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
03. Rifleman John Barr, 2nd RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
04. Rifleman John Bonnar, 12th RIR, born in Broughshane, lived in Ballymena.
05. Rifleman William Brown, 116th RIR, born in Portglenone, lived in Ballymena.
06. Sergeant Samuel Caldwell, 12th RIR, born in Kells, lived in Ballyclare.
07. Lance Corporal Robert Campbell, 11th Inn Fus, born in Connor, lived in Belfast.
08. Rifleman William Campbell, 12th RIR, born in Kells.
09. Lance Corporal Thomas Cooke, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
10. Rifleman Robert Cooper, 12th RIR, born in Kellswater, lived in Ballymena.
11. Private Thomas Coulter, Innis Fus, born and lived in Ballymena.
12. Rifleman Samuel Crawford, 12th RIR, born in Ahoghill, lived in Larne.
13. Private Andrew Davison, Machine Gun Corps, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
14. Private Samuel Dawson, 11th Innis Fus, born in Portlegnone, lived in Belfast
15. Private William Francey, 1st Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Hamilton.
16. Corporal William Furgrove, 12th RIR, born in Moneymore, lived in Cullybackey.
17. Rifleman Frank Gamble, 12th RIR, born in Connor, lived in Ballymena.
18. Rifleman David Gibson, 14th RIR, born in Kellswater, lived in Ballymena.
19. Rifleman Thomas Gourley, 12th RIR, born in Ahoghill, lived in Larne.
20. Rifleman John Grant, 12th RIR, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
21. Sergeant William Grant, 12th RIR, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
22. Rifleman Thomas Hamill, 9th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
23. Rifleman James Harper, 15th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
24. Lieutenant Thomas Haughton, 12th RIR, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena
25. Corporal George Ireland, 12th RIR, born in Ballygarvey.
26. Rifleman Robert Kennedy, 11th RIR, born in Cullybackey.
27. Rifleman James King, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
28. Rifleman David Linton, 12th RIR, born in Cloughmills, lived in Ballymena.
29. Rifleman Joseph Logan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Larne.
30. Rifleman David McCalmont, 12th RIR, born in Glenwherry, lived in Ballyclare.
31. Rifleman John McCart, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
32. Private John McCartney, 9th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
33. Rifleman Robert McCartney, 12th RIR, born in the USA, lived in Ballymena.
34. Private Thomas McClenaghan, 9th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
35. Rifleman Andrew McCollam, 8th RIR, born in Craigs, lived in Ballymena.
36. Lance Corporal Thomas McCollum, 13th RIR, born in Carnmoney, lived in Ballymena.
37. Rifleman Robert McCracken, 13th RIR, born in Cullybackey.
38. Rifleman John McGowan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
39. Rifleman James McGowan, 12th RIR, born in Bushmills, lived in Ballymena.
40. Rifleman Samuel McMaster, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
41. Rifleman William McMullan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
42. Lance Corporal George McMurray, 12th RIR, born in Kells, lived in Ballymena.
43. Rifleman William McNeice, 11th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
44. Rifleman Daniel McNeice, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
45. Lance Corporal Samuel Miller, 11th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
46. Rifleman Alexander Montgomery, 13th RIR, born in Ballymena.
47. Private Robert Montgomery, Machine Gun Company, born in Moorfields, lived in Belfast.
48. Private John Parks, 11th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Glasgow.
49. Private William Rice, 10th Inn Fus, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena.
50. Sergeant David Ritchie, 9th RIR, born in Broughshane.
51. Rifleman Edward Robinson, 11th RIR, born in Grange.
52. Corporal James Smyth, 12th RIR, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena.
53. Private William Telford, 1st Inn Fus, born in Ballymena.
54. Lance Corporal William Torbitt, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Larne.
55. Rifleman Alexander Wallace, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
56. Corporal James Watson, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
57. Rifleman Joseph White, 11th RIR, born in Ballymena.
58. Rifleman John Wilson, 12th RIR, born in Magherafelt, lived in Ballymena.
59. Rifleman Thomas Wilson, 11th RIR, born in Glarryford.
60. Private Thomas Wylie, 11th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena.
61. Rifleman William Wylie, 12th RIR, born in Glarryford, lived in Ballymena.
(the above list of names was very kindly supplied by the Somme Society)
02. Rifleman David Anderson, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
03. Rifleman John Barr, 2nd RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
04. Rifleman John Bonnar, 12th RIR, born in Broughshane, lived in Ballymena.
05. Rifleman William Brown, 116th RIR, born in Portglenone, lived in Ballymena.
06. Sergeant Samuel Caldwell, 12th RIR, born in Kells, lived in Ballyclare.
07. Lance Corporal Robert Campbell, 11th Inn Fus, born in Connor, lived in Belfast.
08. Rifleman William Campbell, 12th RIR, born in Kells.
09. Lance Corporal Thomas Cooke, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
10. Rifleman Robert Cooper, 12th RIR, born in Kellswater, lived in Ballymena.
11. Private Thomas Coulter, Innis Fus, born and lived in Ballymena.
12. Rifleman Samuel Crawford, 12th RIR, born in Ahoghill, lived in Larne.
13. Private Andrew Davison, Machine Gun Corps, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
14. Private Samuel Dawson, 11th Innis Fus, born in Portlegnone, lived in Belfast
15. Private William Francey, 1st Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Hamilton.
16. Corporal William Furgrove, 12th RIR, born in Moneymore, lived in Cullybackey.
17. Rifleman Frank Gamble, 12th RIR, born in Connor, lived in Ballymena.
18. Rifleman David Gibson, 14th RIR, born in Kellswater, lived in Ballymena.
19. Rifleman Thomas Gourley, 12th RIR, born in Ahoghill, lived in Larne.
20. Rifleman John Grant, 12th RIR, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
21. Sergeant William Grant, 12th RIR, born in Galgorm, lived in Ballymena.
22. Rifleman Thomas Hamill, 9th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
23. Rifleman James Harper, 15th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
24. Lieutenant Thomas Haughton, 12th RIR, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena
25. Corporal George Ireland, 12th RIR, born in Ballygarvey.
26. Rifleman Robert Kennedy, 11th RIR, born in Cullybackey.
27. Rifleman James King, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
28. Rifleman David Linton, 12th RIR, born in Cloughmills, lived in Ballymena.
29. Rifleman Joseph Logan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Larne.
30. Rifleman David McCalmont, 12th RIR, born in Glenwherry, lived in Ballyclare.
31. Rifleman John McCart, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
32. Private John McCartney, 9th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
33. Rifleman Robert McCartney, 12th RIR, born in the USA, lived in Ballymena.
34. Private Thomas McClenaghan, 9th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
35. Rifleman Andrew McCollam, 8th RIR, born in Craigs, lived in Ballymena.
36. Lance Corporal Thomas McCollum, 13th RIR, born in Carnmoney, lived in Ballymena.
37. Rifleman Robert McCracken, 13th RIR, born in Cullybackey.
38. Rifleman John McGowan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
39. Rifleman James McGowan, 12th RIR, born in Bushmills, lived in Ballymena.
40. Rifleman Samuel McMaster, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
41. Rifleman William McMullan, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
42. Lance Corporal George McMurray, 12th RIR, born in Kells, lived in Ballymena.
43. Rifleman William McNeice, 11th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
44. Rifleman Daniel McNeice, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Belfast.
45. Lance Corporal Samuel Miller, 11th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
46. Rifleman Alexander Montgomery, 13th RIR, born in Ballymena.
47. Private Robert Montgomery, Machine Gun Company, born in Moorfields, lived in Belfast.
48. Private John Parks, 11th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena, lived in Glasgow.
49. Private William Rice, 10th Inn Fus, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena.
50. Sergeant David Ritchie, 9th RIR, born in Broughshane.
51. Rifleman Edward Robinson, 11th RIR, born in Grange.
52. Corporal James Smyth, 12th RIR, born in Cullybackey, lived in Ballymena.
53. Private William Telford, 1st Inn Fus, born in Ballymena.
54. Lance Corporal William Torbitt, 12th RIR, born in Ballymena, lived in Larne.
55. Rifleman Alexander Wallace, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
56. Corporal James Watson, 12th RIR, born and lived in Ballymena.
57. Rifleman Joseph White, 11th RIR, born in Ballymena.
58. Rifleman John Wilson, 12th RIR, born in Magherafelt, lived in Ballymena.
59. Rifleman Thomas Wilson, 11th RIR, born in Glarryford.
60. Private Thomas Wylie, 11th Inn Fus, born in Ballymena.
61. Rifleman William Wylie, 12th RIR, born in Glarryford, lived in Ballymena.
(the above list of names was very kindly supplied by the Somme Society)
In Just One Street Alone (Queen Street), 15 Men Died Throughout the Duration of the Battle of the Somme:
Private Robert Kernohan
Rifleman W. J. McMullan
Rifleman James McGowan
Rifleman John McGowan
Rifleman Robert Magee
Rifleman Daniel McNiece
Private L. Houston
Rifleman William John McMullan
Sergent Archie McNeice
Private James Francey
Private William McNiece Bell
Rifleman John Barr
Lance Corporal Samuel Beattie
Private Robert Gordon Taylor
Private Samuel Hanna Finlay
(the above list of names was very kindly supplied by the Somme Society)
Rifleman W. J. McMullan
Rifleman James McGowan
Rifleman John McGowan
Rifleman Robert Magee
Rifleman Daniel McNiece
Private L. Houston
Rifleman William John McMullan
Sergent Archie McNeice
Private James Francey
Private William McNiece Bell
Rifleman John Barr
Lance Corporal Samuel Beattie
Private Robert Gordon Taylor
Private Samuel Hanna Finlay
(the above list of names was very kindly supplied by the Somme Society)
A Ballymena Church of Ireland Clergyman Who Saw Action at the Somme
Rev Arthur G Ross MC, the Rector of St. Patrick's Church of Ireland (Castle Street, Ballymena), was a soldier who served with the 36th Ulster Division. He survived and was awarded the Military Cross (or 'MC').
The Hon Arthur O'Neill MP - The First MP to be Killed in Action During World War One
Ballymena's local MP at the time of the First World War - the Honourable Arthur O'Neill MP - was a member of the Loyal Orders. He was killed in action (aged 38) at Klein Zillebeke Ridge, thus becoming the first MP to die in battle during World War One. His portrait still adorns an old Orange banner belonging to Broughshane LOL 503. He has the distinction of having his own memorial in the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. The O'Neill Memorial Hall (built in 1926 and more popularly known in the Ballymena area as 'Fenagh Orange Hall') was constructed in order to commemorate his heroic sacrifice.
A Church of Ireland Bishop Who Saw Action at the Somme
The Rt Rev Cyril Elliott was a Chaplain in the Orange Order. He served with distinction in the 36th Ulster Division during the Battle of the Somme and went on to become the Anglican Lord Bishop of Connor (from 1956 to 1969). His officer's collarette was presented to the Museum of Orange Heritage (Schomberg House, Belfast) at a ceremony in St. Anne's Cathedral.
Rt Hon Sir Norman Stronge - Speaker of the NI House of Commons & Veteran of the Battle of the Somme.As a young man, Sir Norman Stronge saw action at the Battle of the Somme with the 36th Ulster Division (10th Service Battalion).
He was the first soldier after the start of the Battle of the Somme to be mentioned in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig. Sir Norman went on to receive the Military Cross and the Belgian 'Croix de Guerre'. He served as: (a) Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons (1945 to 1969); (b) the 8th Baronet of Tynan; and (c) the Past Imperial Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution. He was murdered by the IRA on 21st January 1981. |
A Cullybackey Presbyterian Clergyman Who Saw Action With the 36th Ulster Division
Rev William Holmes Hutchison, the minister of Cunningham Memorial Presbyterian Church (Cullybackey), was a soldier who served with the 36th Ulster Division. He enlisted in September 1916 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles as a Dispatch Rider. Rev Hutchison survived the war and was awarded the Military Cross (or 'MC'), the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Bro Major General Malcolm Smith Mercer
Major General Mercer (killed in action 3rd June 1916) remains the highest ranking Canadian officer ever to die in combat. Mercer was a member of the Orange Order (LOL 63, Ontario).
Monica Wichfeld: Hero of the Danish Resistance Movement During World War 2
Born on 12th July 1894, Monica was an inspirational lady who transported guns for the UVF and took part in the Larne Gunrunning.
During World War 2, she became a heroine of the Danish resistance movement.
In May 1944, Monica stood trial with ten other defendants in the resistance.
Together with Georg Quistgaard and two others, she was sentenced to death.
Upon being informed that she could beg clemency in order to have her punishment reduced to a life sentence, Monica asked if the same offer was being extended to her three fellow defendants.
When the court informed her that it was not, she refused to beg clemency.
Monica then sat down and casually powdered her nose.
She died of pneumonia on 27th February 1945, one month before the end of World War 2.
Monica Wichfield has no known grave. She is however listed on the Memorial Wall in Ryvangen Memorial Park (Denmark's National Memorial to the men and women who served in its Resistance Movement during World War 2).
During World War 2, she became a heroine of the Danish resistance movement.
In May 1944, Monica stood trial with ten other defendants in the resistance.
Together with Georg Quistgaard and two others, she was sentenced to death.
Upon being informed that she could beg clemency in order to have her punishment reduced to a life sentence, Monica asked if the same offer was being extended to her three fellow defendants.
When the court informed her that it was not, she refused to beg clemency.
Monica then sat down and casually powdered her nose.
She died of pneumonia on 27th February 1945, one month before the end of World War 2.
Monica Wichfield has no known grave. She is however listed on the Memorial Wall in Ryvangen Memorial Park (Denmark's National Memorial to the men and women who served in its Resistance Movement during World War 2).