1690philip Posted 31 August , 2009 Share Posted 31 August , 2009 This could be one for the books if correct. Whilst over in Flanders in August 09 I bumped into a friend of mine from County Donegal. He told me whilst touring the area he had a chat with a man and he informed him that he has found a link between the Irish hunger striker Raymond McCreesh and a Sapper John McCreesh from 250th Tunnelling company buried in Bedford House. Can anyone prove or disprove this link? This would make a great tale if true. He was born in Armagh and Raymond was from Camlough. Name:McCREESH, JOHN Initials:J Nationality:United Kingdom Rank:Sapper Regiment/Service:Royal Engineers Unit Text:250th Tunnelling Coy. Age:40 Date of Death:16/10/1917 Service No:102169 Additional information:Son of John and B. McCreesh; husband of B. McCreesh, of 13, Gibside Terrace, Burnopfield, Co. Durham. Born at Armagh. Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference:Enclosure No.2. I. F. 20. Cemetery:BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY Just seen Desmond thread on the subject. http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...amp;hl=mccreesh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1690philip Posted 31 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 31 August , 2009 I looked at the England census for 1901 and found that there was a John McCreesh living in Durham. He is living with family called the Lowden in Durham and the age tie in with that given at his death. Married Bridget in Gateshead in 1906. Regards, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petroc Posted 1 September , 2009 Share Posted 1 September , 2009 Hi Phil, a quick check of the Forum search facility shows that Desmond was also enquiring about the same bloke a couple of months ago... I'm afraid I can't provide you with any information regarding the hinger striker, but presume the particular Tunneller in question is the same man who features in Ian Passingham's book 'Pillars of Fire; The Battle of Messines Ridge, 1917'? Apologies if you've already made this connection! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 1 September , 2009 Share Posted 1 September , 2009 You will find a photo of John McCreesh in Ian Passingham's book Pillars of Fire. It was provided by (I think) his grandson who I met many years ago on a battlefield tour and is a retired Sub-Postmaster from County Durham. I can recall him showing no republican sympathies but can tell you that he was awarded the OBE for resisting armed robbers. McCreesh had only one eye, incidentally. EDIT: Sorry Andy - just saw that you mentioned about Pillars of Fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1690philip Posted 2 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 2 September , 2009 Thanks for the information Simon and Andy. Simon great to hear that his grandson was awarded the Obe. I think the only thing I have found out is that John is from County Armagh. Anyone with information would be greatly recieved. Regards, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 2 September , 2009 Share Posted 2 September , 2009 I know the age is wrong, but I still suspect this is him on the 1911 census; HOUSEHOLD MCCREESH BRIDGET F 1870 41 Lanchester Durham HOUSEHOLD MCCREESH JOHN M 1873 38 Lanchester Durham HOUSEHOLD MCCREESH JOSEPHINE F 1908 3 Lanchester Durham Marriages Sep 1906 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dinning Bridget Gateshead 10a 1725 McCreesh John Gateshead 10a 1725 And I reckon these are his children; Surname First name(s) District Vol Page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Sep 1907 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- McCREESH Josephine Lanchester 10a 346 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Jun 1908 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- McCreesh Norah Lanchester 10a 405 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Jun 1910 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCCREESH Gerard James Lanchester 10a 386 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Mar 1912 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- McCreesh Anthony Mulholland Lanchester 10a 739 Could be wrong of course. IPT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 2 September , 2009 Share Posted 2 September , 2009 Raymond McCreesh was the son of James McCreesh. In my opinion, he is unlikely to be a child of one of the above, if Bridget Dinning was from Durham (why would they go to Armagh when John died?). If you mean by "link" that they are descended from the same McCreesh's of Armagh, then there's a strong possibility but a bit of a tenuous link. Of course, I could be totally wrong! IPT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1690philip Posted 2 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 2 September , 2009 IPT I was meaning that he was born in Armagh so the family connection has to be traced at that point in Ireland that will either prove or disapprove this thread. I totally agree with you about the children, I too came up with the same. I wonder if Desmond got any luck??? Regards, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 2 September , 2009 Share Posted 2 September , 2009 I have been told that there is a strong family connection. The one eyed issue ties in what I have gleaned. My uderstanding is that McCreesh had left South Armagh to work in the north of England. Story goes he became well versed on mining safety - how he lost the eye escapes me. Further that he went to be interviewed by the guy who formed the mining companies who was initially reluctant because of an age issue but was won over by McCreesh's expertise. I am told that descendants are aware of the connection. That's as far as it goes. Des Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesapper Posted 11 March , 2014 Share Posted 11 March , 2014 SAPPER JOHN McCREESH was born in CROSSMAGLEN he was blind in one eye from birth he is the great uncle of RAY McCREESH who died on hunger strike. Later this year THE FRIENDS OF THE SOMME MID ANTRIM are laying a cross in his memory close to the grave of THOMAS HUGHES VC at BROOMFIELD CO MONAGHAN The family connection of JOHN along with the nephew PETER HUGHES will be in attendance close to the grave of THOMAS HUGHES is a small centre where we will leave 2 crosses in their memory BLUESAPPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1690philip Posted 29 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 29 July , 2014 Hopefully you might post a few photos, would be great to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1690philip Posted 29 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 29 July , 2014 Can anyone post his photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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