Soldiers from Burrishoole killed in World War 1.

Peter Mullowney

When World War 1 was declared on 28 July 1914 there were not many in Burrishoole that would believe that nineteen men from the parish would be killed before its end on 11 November 1918. The Mayo News in its edition of August 8 th stated:

“It is no exaggeration to say that at the present moment the minds of the people of the whole world are filled with but one all absorbing topic and that is war. Never in the history of the world was there such a lining up of men to battle with their fellow men. In the three Kingdoms, we are glad to say, there has been no occasion for alarm or panic. The present English Government, acting in concert with the opposition and all other Parties in Parliament, appear to have moved with such great caution and foresight that they have behind them in this war a united people. No humane man can look into the immediate future without a shudder, for we are on the verge of the most awful bloodshed with which the world was ever deluged. “

and again

“Major Browne, Breaffy, who has been commissioned by the War Office for the purchase of horses in the counties Roscommon and Mayo is purchasing same on an extensive scale. Our correspondent was informed that Major Browne had sent in a requisition for a number of wagons in Ballyhaunis for the transmission of his purposes from that locality alone. “

Details of the men that died was obtained from the excellent book “Mayo Comrades of the Great War 1914 1919” by P.J. Clarke and Michael Feeney. Of the nineteen that died, fourteen died in France and Flanders, three in Turkey/Greece/Mesopotamia, one of wounds in hospital in Leicester and one drowned off Co. Galway. Six died in 1915, six in 1916, five in 1917 and two in 1918.

Listed in alphabetical order they are

William James Lightbody Aiken was a Sub-Lieutenant on H.M.S. "Colleen," Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Husband of Mrs. Aiken, Carrowbeg South, Newport, Co. Mayo. Died: Monday, 16th April, 1917. Buried in Newport Presbyterian Cemetery. He is listed in the 1911 census as living in Carrowbeg, South (Derryloughan, Mayo) He was aged 35 and a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He gave his occupation as farmer. He was married to Jean Mackay who was 28 and had been born in Glasgow. They had a daughter called Maggie.

Henry Moutray Anketell-Jones was Private, No. 75579, 29th Vancouver Battallion Canadian Expeditionary Force, only son of Henry Moutray Anketell-Jones, J.P., of Burrishoole House, Newport, Co. Mayo, by his wife, May, daughter Of Henry Maynard Harding; born Buenos Aires, 4 Feb. 1893; educated Castle Park School, Dalkey , Co. Dublin and privately; went to Canada in 1911, and settled down to farming near Chilliwack, British Columbia; enlisted in Sept. 1914, in the 104 th New Westminster Fusiliers, which later became part of the 29th Vancouver Battn., commonly called “Tobins Tigers”; the regiment arrived in England June 1915, and went to France the following September. He was killed in action 11 Sept. 1916, near Contalmaison, whilst digging a new trench on a bright night. Buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, half a mile south-east of Pozieres. A comrade wrote “The officers who knew him and his many friends all felt his loss keenly; we all thought very highly of him.” He is listed aged eight and born in the Argentine Republic in the 1901 Census as living in Corraunboy (Newport East, Mayo) in Burrishoole Lodge with his father, also Henry, and his mother May aged 35. Also living in the house was his sister Ida Mary, who was aged 6 and had been born in Co. Dublin and three maids. His father who was aged 37 was born in Essex, England and gave his occupation as J.P. and Land Proprietor. His wife was born in Tipperary and they were all members of the Church of England.

Thomas Chambers was a private in the 15th Bn. Australian Infantry, 'A.I.F. No. 1923. Enlisted: Port Douglas,Queensland, Australia, 13th January 1915. Born: Newport. Son of Francis Chambers, Georges Street, Newport. Died: 8/8/1915, at Turkey. Memorial: Lone Pine Memorial: Turkey. Panel 75. He was aged 26 when he was killed at Gallipoli Peninsular, Hill 971.No known grave. He is listed in the 1901 census aged 12 living in house 8 in Georges Street (New Port East, Mayo) with his father Francis aged 55, his mother Annie aged 40, his sisters Mary B aged 14, Sarah 10, Teresa 3, Annie 1, his brothers Joseph 8, Patrick 7, Daniel 5 and his grandfather Daniel Kelly.

Peter Connolly was a Private in the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards. No. 11974. Enlisted: Castlerea. Bom: Newport. Son of John and Ellen Connolly, Derrycooldrim, Carrowbeg, Westport. Aged 21. Killed in Action on: 27/11/1917, at France & Flanders. Memorial: Cambrai Memorial, Louver-val, Nord, France. Panel 2-3.In the

1911 census living in house number 1 Derrycooldrim (Newport, West, Mayo) are John Connelly aged 65, his wife Ellen aged 55, their daughters Kate aged 24 and Margaret aged 19 and their sons John aged 16 and Peter aged 14.

Patrick Aubrey Dever was a Private in the 1st Bn. Irish Guards. No. 6979. Enlisted: Liverpool. Born and resided in Newport. Son of Hugh Dever, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 32. Died: 14/10/1916 at France & Flanders. Memorial: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave ref: VII.F.9. In the 1911 census he is listed as living in house 10 in Main Street (Newport, East, Mayo). He is aged 25 and his occupation given as Commercial Clerk. In the house are also his widowed father Hugh aged 80, his brother Hubert aged 23, his sister Sarah J aged 14, his nephew Bertie OMalley aged 3 and three servants.

James Doherty was a Corporal in the 149th Machine Gun Corps. No. 27486 (formerly 32288, Manchester Regt.). Enlisted: Stalybridge. Born: Newport. Son of Patrick and Catherine Doherty, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 23. Died: 26/10/1917, at Belgium. Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Panel 154 to 159,163A. In the 1901 census he is listed as aged 7 living in house 11 in Chapel Street (New Port East, Mayo) with his father Patrick aged 54, mother Catherine aged 40 and sister Katie aged 5.

Michael Dusting was a Private in the 2nd Bn. South Lancs. No. 27231.' Enlisted: Warrington, Lanes. Born: Newport. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dusting, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 23. Died of Wounds on 16/6/1917, at Belgium. Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. In 1901 Michael Dusting is listed as living at Knockaglana Pontoon Mayo with his mother Catherine who is aged 41 and the wife of an RIC Sergeant and his sisters Mary Jane aged 9, Winifred aged 7 and Elizabeth aged 11 and his brother Joseph aged 14. In 1911 Joseph Dusting is living in Rathmullan, Donegal with his wife and daughter Winifred. His occupation is not given on the census. Michael’s father had died two years before him because the RIC magazine of July 1915 states

“The many friends of the late ex- Head Constable Joseph Dusting will learn with the deepest regret that he died rather unexpectedly on 4th inst, after a short illness at his residence, Quay House, Newport. Esteemed by every section of the community for his genial nature, it was not surprising that the announcement of his death evoked many manifestations of sorrow. Mr Dusting had been in failing health for some time past. The best medical aid was requisitioned, and satisfaction was felt when the encouraging words went out of prospective recovery, but early in the month he got a severe attack, and death supervened in a brief space of time.”

Terence FitzGerald was a Corporal in the 2nd Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment, No. 9118. Enlisted: Dorchester, Dorset. Born: Newport, Co. Mayo. Residence: New York City, U.S.A. Died: 31/7/1916 at Mesopotamia. Memorial: Basra Memorial Iraq. Grave ref: Panel 22 & 63. In 1901 Anne, Edward and Desmond Fitzgerald were living at 4, Church Lane Newport and Anne and Mary Fitzgerald at 25 Castlebar Street but there is no Terence Fitzgerald in the parish.

Michael Gallagher was a Private in the 9th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. No. 25018. Enlisted: Paisley, Scotland. Born: Mulranny, Co. Mayo. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gallagher, 10 Orchard Street, Paisley, Scotland. Aged 30. Killed in Action on 9/9/1916, at The Somme, France. Memorial: Villiers-Bretonneux. The Somme,

France. Grave ref: VIA.D.5. There is no Michael Gallagher of the correct age living in Mulranny in the 1901 or 1911 censuses although there are several living in Corraun.

Patrick Loftus was a Private in the 11th Bn. Liverpool Regiment, No. 20764. Enlisted: Liverpool. Born and resided in Rosturk, Mulranny, Co. Mayo. Killed in Action on 21/3/1918, at France & Flanders. Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel 21 to 23. In 1901 Patrick Loftus aged 1 is living in house 19 in Murrevagh with his father Patrick, mother Anne and brothers Michael aged 2 and Martin. Another Patrick Loftus aged 20 is living in house 19 in Rosgalliv with his father Patrick, mother Bridget, brothers Michael, John, Peter, Martin and sisters Maria, Sarah, and Kate. A third Patrick, aged 12, is living in house 12 in Bunnahowna with his father Martin, mother Norah, brother John and sisters Mary and Bridget.

Patrick J. Loftus from Mulranny, Co. May was a Private in Company M, 101st Infantry, US Army. Died 25/9/1918. Grave 22, American-US Expeditionary Force's Cemetery, No. 85. which is St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucour, France.

Peter Lyons was a Private in the 1st Bn. Irish Guards. No. 4602. Enlisted: Dublin. Born: Burrishoole, Newport, Co. Mayo. Killed in Action on 25/9/1916, at France & Flanders. Memorial: Guards Cemetery, The Somme, France. Grave ref: X.E.IO. Peter Lyons aged 2 is listed in the 1901 Census as living in house 1 in Newport with his father Patrick, mother Bridget , sister Elizabeth and brothers Thomas, John, Timothy, Patrick and David.

James Malley was a private in the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. No. 12068. Enlisted: Glasgow. Born: Newport. Son of James and Bridget-Fergus Malley, Ardagh, Carrowbeg, Newport. Killed in Action on 7/12/1915 at Salonika. Memorial: Doiran Memorial, Greece.

James McGowan was a private in the 11th Bn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). No. 13248. Enlisted: Bathgate, West Lothian. Born in Ballina and resided in Newport. Brother of Annie McGowan, Cloondaff, Glenhest, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 33. Killed in Action on 27/9/1915 at France & Flanders. Memorial: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10 to 13.

James McIntyre was a Private in the 6th Bn. Connaught Rangers. No. 6237. Enlisted: Manchester. Born in Acres, Newport, Co. Mayo, and resided in Stretford,

Manchester. Son of Michael and Bridget Mclntyre, Acres, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 26. Killed in Action on 11/11917, at France & Flanders. Memorial: Pond Farm Cemetry, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave ref: H.6. In 1901 James McIntyre age 9 is listed as living in house 5 in Drumbrastle West with his father Michael, his mother Bridget, his sisters Bridget and Mary and his brothers John and Michael.

Michael Moran DCM was a Company Sergeant Major in the 1st Bn. Irish Guards. No. 3632. Enlisted: Dewsbury, Yorks. Bom: Newport. Son of William and Mary Moran, Rosturk, Newport. Aged 30. Died of Wounds on 20/9/1916, at France & Flanders. Memorial: La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie. Grave ref: I1.F.8. In the 1901 Census Michael aged 14 is listed as living in house 1 in Rosturk with his father William, his mother Mary his brothers, Martin, Patrick, Thomas, William, his sisters Bridget and Anne.

George O'Donel F. Thomas O'Donel, MC, was Capt. and Adjutant in the 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Born: Newport. Husband of Violet O'Donel (nee Braddell), Newport House, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 30. Killed in Action on 16/6/1915, at Belgium. Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Grave ref: Panel 6 & 8. He was mentioned in dispatches, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Donel, of Newport House, Newport, Co. Mayo, and grand-nephew of the late Sir George C. O'Donel, Bart. He was educated at Cheltenham College, and entered the Royal Donegal Artillery Militia as Lieutenant, from which

regiment he was gazetted to the Royal Fusiliers. He was married at Kensington to Violet, only daughter of Mr. George Claude Braddell, of Newlands, Ferns, Co. Wexford. He was a keen sportsman, and when stationed in Mullingar was well known in the hunting field.

Captain O’Donel was the adjutant which meant he kept a diary of the Battalion’s activity in the war. He gives details of the two weeks leading up to the battle in which he was killed in the war diary and his successor, Captain de la Deverelle, describes the battle.

Hour, Date Place Summary of Events and Information

June 1st 1915 Very quiet day. In huts at OUDERDOM.

June 2nd 1915 Received three different sets of orders, each cancelled in turn. Finally received instructions to go and keep out the cavalry at a wood IOUAVE WOOD YPRES. Left at 8 p.m. Reached trenches at 1. 30. A.M.3/6 Everything in a state of chaos. Relieving and Relieved regiments all mixed up. X Coy relieved 3rd D.Gs

June 3rd 1915 CO has command of the left sector. Palavit is in command of Bn. LINCOLNS under Cos orders made an attack for purpose of taking stables at HOOGE CHATEAU. An easy performance enemy very annoyed with WHIZZBANGS in the corner of wood where HQ were situated.

June 4th 1915 Quiet day. Certain amount of sniping. Usual dose of Whizz Bangs.

June 5th 1915 Kept down all day by continuous Whizz Bangs. Had several men wounded by them and also by bullets. Got everything ready for relief. Waited for hours. Relief appears to have gone astray. One cavalry regiment in the sector had to stay in till next night owing to relief not arriving till late. Was relieved by the WORCESTERS.

June 6th 1915 Reached our BIVOUAC about 4 a.m. between VLAMER TINCE and OUDERDOM. Very quiet day. At night the adjoining filed was being vigorously shelled. Blasts at 8. 35. P.M. and lasting till nearly 11 P.M.

June 7th 1915 Very quiet day in Bivouac.

June 8th 1915 Very warm weather. Company parade. Marched out to our new Bivouac area at 5. 30. P.M.

June 9th 1915 Quiet day. Excitement about prospect of leave for officers and men.

June 10th 1915 Very quiet day. Leave cancelled.

June 11th 1915 Everything very quiet. Still in bivouac.

June 12th 1915 Quiet day. Presentation of D.G.M. to 13745 Sgt Greenhill G. 12391 C.S.M. Foster W.G. 4594 Sgt. Davies C. by the Divisional Commander Major General J.A.L. Haldane C.B. D.S.O. who spoke in eulogistic terms about the

good work done by the 9th Brigade in the past saying he knew that the Brigade would do the task set them on the following Wednesday and relied on them to carry it to a successful issue. The C.O. and Company Commander afterwards proceeded to make a reconnaissance of the ground to be attacked.

June 13th 1915 Very quiet day in camp.

June 14th 1915 Four subalterns and B.G. Officer sent out to make reconnaissance. Lt Rogers shot by sniper. All arrangements made about the attack.

June 15th 1915 Final operation Orders received about attacking the lines of trenches held by the Germans. The whole Brigade to be employed. The position allotted to the 4th Bn. To be the right of the line. On our left were the Royal Scots Fusiliers (centre) and on the left of them the 5th Fusiliers. The lines of the trenches to be attacked were on the N of the MENEN ROAD about 250m N of Hooge. Battalion marched out at 4 30. P.M. followed by the LINCOLNS. We halted for a time (45 min) and then marched to assembly trenches which we reached at 11 P.M. Germans kept cross firing the support trenches. Luckily we escaped.

June 16th 1915 Our artillery commenced bombardment and shelling GERMAN trenches at 2 50 A.M. and continued with the exception of two short intervals until 4 15 A.M. When our first line jumped off the mark and got through the Germans and into their trench in a marvellous manner. The men were so eager that they went forward a great deal too fast into the second and third German trenches only to be mown down by our own artillery. Having lost a number of officers and men we withdrew and took a lie in a communication trench that Captain de la Deverille had taken up and turned in to a fine trench which was consolidated and held against all counter attack and frontal attack as well as a bomb attack on the right till told to leave the trench after 12 mins. The Brigadier of the 7th Brigade took command at 10 a.m. and ordered the C.O. Major R.G. Hely-Hutchinson to go into the wood we had just captured and reorganise the men that remained. This was immediately done. These men were subjected to very heavy shelling all day. Casualties were appalling. The Adjutant Captain G. Thomas O’Donel was killed with his orderlies and operators by a high offensive shell. The heavy shelling that the Germans were subjected to had a most demoralising effect on them. Our men acted splendidly. Their eagerness cost them a number of casualties L Cpl Fetter M.G. stuck to his men all through the day though wounded the M.G. Sgt S.P. Jones also did a lot throughout the day till sent to the Dressing Station to have his wounds dressed. He was wounded early in the day. We lost fifteen officers.

Thomas O'Donnell was a Private in the 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders. No. S/2079. Enlisted: Govan. Born: Broozile?, Co. Mayo. Died: 11/3/1915, at France & Flanders. Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel 39 to 41.In 1901 Residents of a house 1 in Derryhillagh Thomas is listed age 23 living with his father Charles, his mother Bridget and his sister Bridget.

Patrick Slowey was a Private in the 1st Bn. Irish Guards. No. 1299. Enlisted: Glasgow, Lanark. Born and resided in Newport. Son of James and Honoria Slowey, Newport, Co. Mayo. Aged 33. Died of Wounds on 22/4/1915, at England. Memorial: Leicester (Welford Road) Cemetery, Leicestershire. Grave ref: 01.278. In The 1911 Census, residents of house 10 in Castlebar Street Newport were 69 year old Honoria Slowey and her daughter Sarah Esther who was 20. They both gave their occupation as domestics and were Roman Catholic.

Thomas Samuel Vesey Stoney was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Bn., Irish Guards, Rosturk Castle, Westport, County Mayo. Killed in Action on 9/10/1917. Memorial; Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 10 to 11. He was born in August 23rd 1898 and was still at school in Harrow when he enlisted. He had passed the matriculation exam for Oxford. He was appointed to a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers (Battalion Irish Guards. Buckingham Gate) in December 1916. Seven days after his death in October 1917, Robert Vesey Stoney his father wrote to the War Council stating he would be very much obliged if the War Council could give any particulars concerning the death of my son (T.S.V. Stoney) of the Irish Guards which took place on 9th inst. They replied four days later

“The Military Secretary presents his compliments to Mr Stoney, and, in reply to his letter of the 16th instant, begs to inform him that no particulars of the death of 2nd Lieutenant T.S.V. Stoney 1st Irish Guards, who was killed in action on the 9th instant, have been received at the War Office, the names of officers who are killed in action being merely rendered to the War Office by General Headquarters in the Field. The Military Secretary begs to suggest that Mr. Stoney should write to the Officer Commanding, 1st Irish Guards, British Expeditionary Force, France, who is the only person in a position to furnish details, and who, it is felt sure, would be only too glad to supply the information desired. The Military Secretary is desired by the Secretary of State for War to express his deepest sympathy with Mr. Stoney in the loss of his gallant son.”