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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

11 Brothers from Derry - The Hegartys


saintconor

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I'm not sure where I heard of this, maybe the Diamond War Memorial Diary, but has anyone any confirmation? If its true it must be some kind of record.

Conor

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I'm not sure where I heard of this, maybe the Diamond War Memorial Diary, but has anyone any confirmation? If its true it must be some kind of record.

Conor

Name: HEGARTY, JOHN

Initials: J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Rifleman

Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 28

Date of Death: 16/01/1916

Service No: 979

Additional information: Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hegarty, of Donegal; husband of Elizabeth Hegarty, of Back St., Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 76.

Cemetery: SAILLY-SUR-LA-LYS-CANADIAN CEMETERY

Hello Conor,

Found the following picture, apologies for the quality in a splendid little booklet called “Diamond War Memorial Project Commemorative Diary 2008”

The headstone reads “In loving memory of Elizabeth Hegarty Died 3rd march 1939 Her husband Joseph Died 24th January 1941.Their daughters Elizabeth Tillie and Mary, their son Patrick also their eleven sons who served The British Army,four of whom were killed in action.

Terrible sorrow for the family and friends.It must be me but I have only managed to locate John at present.

Regards,

Bob Norman

post-7238-1205423592.jpg

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Rob Elliott's yer man - amazing story.

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Try a PM ... just search forum members .. that will get you to his messenger.

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Conor,

Sorry missed this one.

Right, bit of a mystery here.

The John that Bob has posted, don't think he's one of the brothers.

Seven Hegarty's on the City memorial.

Three belong to the same mother, Elizabeth Hegarty of 4 Ebrington Street, Waterside, but no mention of dad, as follows -

William, 4698, Pte 2nd Inniskillings, 16th May 1915.

Robert, 4398, Pte 1st Inniskillings, KIA Gallipoli, 22nd May 1915.

John, 24154, Pte 1st Inniskillings, died at sea of dysentry, 30th Nov 1915.

They were born in Faughnvale so not Donegal side of the City.

In one of the obituries there are two other brothers mentioned, Driver Joseph, RFA and Pte Thomas, Inniskillings.

Think these two and Robert may have been regulars. Says William joined after the war started.

Suppose as the other brothers got old enough to join they went as well.

Must have been terrible for their mother, bad enough having one or two.

Best thing we could do is have a look at the absent voters list for londonderry to see how many were left at home in 1918.

Need to find the other brother killed.May have been married and away from home.

Rob.

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Thanks for the reply Rob. An aunt by marriage is supposed to be related to this family. I am back in Derry at the start of April for a few days so I will get on the case.

All the best

Conor

On a side note - A relative of mine , Alex Hegarty, was killed in action during WW2. His father Richard Hegarty would have been of an age to have likely served during WW1. Maybe he was related to them?

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