Our Heroes - a supplement to Irish Life. Non Comms?

[depaor01]

Good morning all,

 

I administer a website based on the above publication (http://ourheroes.southdublinlibraries.ie/) and I have found instances of men who were reported as KIA at the time, but don't now appear on CWGC. It may be that they were simply reported killed and later were found to be alive, but some of these reports are quite specific as regards their fate.

 

I'd appreciate comments on this list so I can append further info on the database to the effect that either the man is a non comm, or he wasn't killed.

 

Many thanks in advance,

 

Dave

 

Major Robert Alexander Gray, Royal Irish Fusiliers. Killed in action. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in 1891, and became first Lieutenant in 1895, obtaining his Captaincy in February, 1900, and his Majority in 1910. He served through the South African War and took part in the operations in the Transvaal, the Orange River Colony and in Cape Colony, receiving the Queen's Medal with three clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps.
Date of Publication: December 4, 1914

 

Second Lieutenant Richard Somerset Maxwell, The Black Watch, only son of Colonel the Hon. Henry E. Maxwell, Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, and grandson of Colonel Cosby, of Stradbally Hall, Queen’s County. He only joined his regiment last year and proceeded to the front and was killed in action.
Date of Publication: January 22, 1915

 

Rev. Father Raphael McAuliffe, O.F.M., Army Chaplain, died while on active service in France, and was buried in Limerick with military honours. He was a son of Mr. Michael McAuliffe, of Inchibawn, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, and was in his 30th year. He entered the Franciscan Order at Killarney in 1903, and after a very distinguished course of theological and philosophical studies in Rome was ordained to the priesthood at St. Isidore’s, Rome, in 1910. Returning to Ireland, he ministered with much zeal in many districts until he volunteered for service at the front.
Date of Publication: November 24, 1916

 

Major F.W.J. McDonnell, 14th (Reserve) Batt., attached 9th Batt., West Yorkshire Regiment, who died in hospital at Malta from dysentery contracted at Gallipoli, formerly held the rank of Captain in the 3rd Batt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and was gazetted Captain in the Reserve of Officers. In November, 1914, he was posted to the 12th Batt. of the West Yorks, with the rank of Major, and in July he went to the 14th Batt., being subsequently attached to the 9th Batt. for service with the Mediterranean Expedition. Before the present war Major MacDonnell saw active service in South Africa (1901-2), taking part in operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, for his services in which he received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps. Major MacDonnell was the son of Mr. Francis MacDonnell, of Dunfirth, and a grandson of Sir Francis MacDonnell, of Dunfirth, Enfield, Co. Kildare, and married, in 1898, Teresa, daughter of Sir John Lawson, Brough Hall, Yorkshire.
Date of Publication: January 28, 1916

 

Major A. P. Jenkins, Royal Irish Rifles, who has been killed in action, was the eldest son of the late Mr. W. J. Jenkins, formerly of Windsor Avenue, Belfast, who died recently in Dublin. Major Jenkins was a prominent member of the Ulster Volunteers and was very popular in Lisburn, where he resided.
Date of Publication: July 28, 1916

 

Major Robert S. Smyth had been at the front from September 1914 to December, 1915. when he was invalided home, and his health having quite broken down, he shortly afterwards retired from the Army, and died in a nursing home in London in April, 1916. He was the fourth son of the late Mr. Wm. Smyth, of Banbridge, Co. Down. He was educated at Dungannon Royal School and Trinity College. Major Smyth was an allround sportsman, and a keen footballer, being selected to represent Ireland against England in 1903 and 1904, and against Scotland in 1903.
Date of Publication: September 29, 1916

 

Captain H.A. Hadden, R.A.M.C., died at the County Infirmary, Wexford, recently, as the result of illness contracted whilst on active service in France. Captain Hadden was the son of the late Mr. John Hadden, who was Mayor of Wexford, and was in his 49th year. He was in his earlier days a doctor in the Mercantile Marine and for some years filled the position of Commodore Surgeon to the Allan Line. In December, 1915, in response to the appeal for doctors for service at the front, he volunteered and subsequently went to France, being attached to an Indian Cavalry Division.
Date of Publication: October 5, 1917

 

Second Lieutenant Pierce Franklin Martin, Royal Munster Fusiliers, has died at his parents’ home as the result of gassing. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Marlin, of New Street, Killarney, and was educated al the Methodist College, Belfast. He obtained his commission through the Queen’s University O. T. C. He went to the front in July, 1916, and was gassed in action in the following September. After some weeks in hospital he again went to the front, but never recovered from the effects of the gas poisoning.
Date of Publication: November 23, 1917

 

Lieutenant Charles Sheil May, Royal Flying Corps, who was killed in action on April 22nd, 1918, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Sheil, 24 Burlington Road, Dublin, and was educated at Clongowes Wood, Sallins. He was a member of the staff of Messrs. A. Guinness Son and Co., but on the outbreak of the war he joined the famous “D.” Company of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and served with them in Gallipoli, where he was wounded, and subsequently in Salonica. He was afterwards gazetted to the Royal Munster Fusiliers, with whom he served in France from March, 1917. He had been mentioned in despatches and awarded the Parchment Certificate.
Date of Publication: May 24, 1918

 

Second Lieutenant A. J. F. de Courcy Williams, 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, was severely wounded at Bethune on October the 20th, and only lived till the following day. He was the only son of Dr. AImericus de Courcy Williams, of St. Elchins, Killucan, Co. Westmeath. He was born in 1895, and passed out of Sandhurst only last July, He had already proved himself to be a fearless and brilliant soldier, and was seen encouraging his men even while fatally wounded, his last words being, “Men, give it them”.
Date of Publication: January 22, 1915

 

 

[museumtom]

Rev. Father Raphael McAuliffe, O.F.M. see Cornelius McAuliffe.

 

[museumtom]

Captain H.A. Hadden, R.A.M.C., See Henry Arthur Giles Hadden

Second Lieutenant Pierce Franklin Martin, Royal Munster Fusiliers,  listed in the 26 Counties set under that name.

[museumtom]

Lieutenant Charles Sheil May, Royal Flying Corps,  See Charles SHEIL

Second Lieutenant A. J. F. de Courcy Williams, 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment,  See Almericus John de Courcy Williams

[ss002d6252]

Major Robert Alexander Gray
Transcribed in the effects records as B A Gray, DoW. Entry in the effects records has been crossed through.

Second Lieutenant Richard Somerset Maxwell
No entry in the effects records for this man that I can see.

Major F.W.J. McDonnell,
Shows as F W J in the effects records. Dysentry, 4 Dec 15.

 

Craig

[museumtom]

Major F.W.J. McDonnell, listed under Francis William Joseph MacDonnell

[museumtom]

"Gray Major Robert Alexander Gray (1869-1950) of the Royal Irish Fusiliers."

from

http://longwaytotipperary.ul.ie/a-to-z/

[depaor01]

Tom/Craig,

 

Many thanks for those replies. Very useful info.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

[museumtom]

Always happy to help.

Edited 23 February , 2018 by museumtom

[Margaretnolan]

Tom.

Is Henry Arthur Giles Hadden listed on GWGC. I can’t find him. 😫

[ss002d6252]

20 minutes ago, Margaretnolan said:

Tom.

Is Henry Arthur Giles Hadden listed on GWGC. I can’t find him. 😫

There's nothing I can see in the Soldiers' Effects for him which would suggest that he did not die in service.

 

Craig

[Margaretnolan]

And I can’t find a medal card.

[ss002d6252]

4 minutes ago, Margaretnolan said:

And I can’t find a medal card.

Medals can be hit and miss as they had to be applied for with regards to officers.

Craig

Edited 2 September , 2018 by ss002d6252

[Margaretnolan]

Ah thank you Craig.

[ss002d6252]

London Gazette for Hadden

 

Craig

[Wexflyer]

I knew Dr George Hadden, a brother of Dr. Henry Hadden - we was locally famous as he was around 7 ft tall and spent many years in China as a misionary. There are several online articles about him.

With regard to Henry, he died in August 1917 of tuberculosis, after his discharge from the army.

1917 death registration for Dr. Henry Hadden

It would appear to me to be unlikely that he acquired the disease on active service - much more likely that he already had it.

And that in turn would explain why he is not in database - not a war casualty?

Edited 2 September , 2018 by Wexflyer

[ss002d6252]

6 minutes ago, Wexflyer said:

I knew Dr George Hadden, a brother of Dr. Henry Hadden - we was locally famous as he was around 7 ft tall and spent many years in China as a misionary. There are several online articles about him.

With regard to Henry, he died in August 1917 of tuberculosis, after his discharge from the army.

1917 death registration for Dr. Henry Hadden

It would appear to me to be unlikely that he acquired the disease on active service - much more likely that he already had it.

And that in turn would explain why he is not in database - not a war casualty?

As he was discharged I think it would have to be shown to be caused by or aggravated by war service to get a CWGC grave.

 

Craig

[Margaretnolan]

11 minutes ago, Wexflyer said:

I knew Dr George Hadden, a brother of Dr. Henry Hadden - we was locally famous as he was around 7 ft tall and spent many years in China as a misionary. There are several online articles about him.

With regard to Henry, he died in August 1917 of tuberculosis.

1917 death registration for Dr. Henry Hadden

It would appear to me to be unlikely that he acquired the disease on active service - much more likely that he already had it.

And that in turn would explain why he is not in database - not a war casualty.

Thanks Wexflyer for the information. A family of medics. Yes I saw the death cert and Ireland’s Memorial Rolls said he contracted pleurisy on active service. Though he had retired before he died.

 

Edited 2 September , 2018 by Margaretnolan

[Wexflyer]

6 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

As he was discharged I think it would have to be shown to be caused by or aggravated by war service to get a CWGC grave.

 

Craig

 

One comment, is that this was a very prominent family.  I can't conceive of them being ignorant of the possibility of a CWGC grave.

[Wexflyer]

14 minutes ago, Margaretnolan said:

Thanks Wexflyer for the information. A family of medics. Yes I saw the death cert and Ireland’s Memorial Rolls said he contracted pleurisy on active service. Though he had retired before he died.

 

 

Yes, a family of medics.

 Dr David, another brother, died in 1916.

 Dr George married another physician, and there is a Dr David still apparently living.

In earlier generations, their uncle. William Henry was the first doctor in part of the Antipodean penal colonies, while a brother and uncle were apothecaries.

Edited 2 September , 2018 by Wexflyer

[Margaretnolan]

Ah yes. He’s buried in a family grave I’m sure. 

Edited 2 September , 2018 by Margaretnolan

[museumtom]

Hadden, Henry Arthur Giles. (Wexford). Captain. Royal Army Medical Corps.

Date of death: 30/08/1917.

Age: 49.

Born: Wexford-1911 Census in 11 Main Street, Wexford.

Residence: The Medical Hall, Wexford-Probate.

Death: Died after discharge.

Next of kin, etc: Relinquished his rank as a result of ill health in July 1917. Listed in the 1911 Census in 11 Main Street, Wexford. Newspapers/Books etc: The Free Press; The news of the death of Capt, H. A. Hadden, R. A. M. C, which took place at the County Infirmary, Wexford, on Thursday, will occasion deep sorrow amongst his many friends in town and country. A native of Wexford, he was a member of a family which has been long and prominently identified with public and professional life. He was the son of the late John Hadden Hadden( sic ), who filled the mayoral chair of his native town with dignity and credit to the community. In sporting and social circles there was no more popular figure than the late Doctor ‘Jer’, as he was more familiarly known, and his amiable disposition and genial manner won him friend wherever he went. In his earlier days Captain Hadden was a doctor in the Mercantile Marine, and for some years filled the position of Commodore Surgeon to the Allan Line. He was a popular official on various local boards, being compounder of medicines to the different dispensaries in Wexford town and anaesthetist to the County Infirmary for a long period. In December, 1915, he, in response to the appeal for doctors for service at the front, volunteered and was gazetted to the Royal Army Medical Corps. For some time he was medical officer to the military in Dublin, and subsequently went to France, being given the rank of Captain, and was attached to an Indian Cavalry Division. The rigours of active service undermined his constitution, and in the fierce fighting at the Somme, when heavy demands were made on his services, he contracted pleurisy. After a brief leave, though still suffering from the effects of the malary( sic ), he undertook medical duties at Salisbury Plain, and complications setting in soon after, he was obliged to retire from the service. The military authorities showed their appreciation of his sterling worth and devotion to duty by conferring on him the title of captain which he carried with him into civilian life. His retirement, however, came too late, for after a brief interval his health completely broke down and he succumbed at the County Infirmary as stated. By his death Wexford is all the poorer, for a genial and kindly gentleman has passed way. His demise at the age of 49 is deeply regretted, and much sympathy is felt with his relatives. The funeral will take place on Saturday, when a Memorial Service will be held in the Methodist Church ( Rowe Street ) at 2. 30pm, after which internment will take place in Crosstown Cemetery. (He is not listed in any of the war dead databases. )

The Weekly Irish Times. Ireland’s Roll of Honour. September 8, 1917. The death took place at the County Infirmary, Wexford, of Captain Henry A Hadden, Royal Army Medical Corps, from pleurisy, contracted while on active service. He was the second son of the late Mr John Hadden, who for some years filled the Mayoral Chair in Wexford. In his earlier days Captain Hadden, who had attained his forty-eighth year, was a doctor in the mercantile marine, and for some years filled the position of Commodore Surgeon to the Allan Line. Later he was an official of various local boards in his native county. In 1915, he joined the R. A. M. C., and for some time was stationed in Dublin. He subsequently was sent to France, being given the rank of Captain, and was attached to an India Division. He contracted pleurisy, and after a brief leave, though still suffering from the effects of the malady, he undertook medical duties in England. Complications set in, and he came home a few weeks ago.

Listed in ‘Our Heroes’ 1917-1918.Notes- Death certificate-died at County Infirmary, bachelor, died of Pulminary Tuberculosis, certified. Preset at the death-Mary A Byrne.

Cemetery: Wexford (St Ibars) Cemetery, Wexford.

 

 

[Margaretnolan]

Super thank you Tom. Much appreciated.

 

[museumtom]

Happy to help, as always.