Friday 30 August 2013

Sergeant Thomas Dick - Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve

Today Carrickfergus remembers Sergeant Thomas Dick, son of Adam and Annie Dick from Carrickfergus. Serial number 1798176 - a Lancaster Bomber rear gunner in 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve based out of Wickenby RAF base.  He was shot down and killed on a bombing run over Stettin, Poland on 30th August 1944 aged only 19.

The bombing raid on Stettin on the evening of 29th/30th August 1944 involved 403 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of 1,3,6 and 8 group (RAF), in total 23 Lancasters were lost.  Thomas squadron had 12 aircraft involved in the raid, reports in the aftermath report heavy FLAK over the target area, his aircraft Lancaster PD273 was the only one from 12 Squadron that did not make it home.

PD273 was captained by F/O J.H. Spurrs, he along with Navigator F/O J. Cordner, F/O P.L. Richardson, F/O K.J. Chambers and Sgt. A. Madelaine all managed to parachute out, all were taken prisoner of war.  

Sgt. A. Madelaine Flight Engineer recalls his experiences on board.  

We left Wickenby in daylight, crossing the North sea below Radar height and climbing to our operating altitude just before crossing the Danish coast.



Oven Denmark I suddenly noticed trace appear between the fuselage and the Starboard inner engine, coming from the rear. I told the pilot who corkscrewed Port and the enemy was evaded. I had felt the trace hit something solid so on the part of the route over Sweden I checked the engines and fuel system which appeared to be undamaged, though there was some tailplane damage that effected the trim.



Approaching the target we were told to descend below the cloud layer by the Master Bomber and we started our nun at 10,000’. The flak was extremely heavy and we had to turn away to avoid debris from a Lancaster that exploded alongside us.



Suddenly the mid upper gunner reported a fire beneath him and I started to don a portable oxygen bottle in preparation for going down the fuselage to help douse the fire. The navigator passed me on the way to the bomb aimers compartment breaking my intercom, connection. Looking down the fuselage all I could see was a white glow and a thick white vapour. Out of this came the wireless operator wearing his parachute, he stopped me from entering the fuselage to attend to the fire and indicated that I should join him in the bomb aimers compartment. The pilot then indicated that I should leave, I left, noting that all the engine were still running.



I saw the wireless operator leave the aircraft and immediately open his chute which reminded me to open mine. Smoke was rising to 10,000’ and I was falling in the target area and worried about landing in a fire.



I landed with a bump on a peninsular with the river on both sides, gathered in my chute, and hid in some bushes. I heard voices and Germans, armed with pick axe handles, passed looking for me. They must have seen my parachute. I moved nearer the water, and was so thirsty that I drank some, having put two purifying tablets in it. I also checked my escape maps and found that the German one was missing. I stayed put all day in hiding and at dusk moved along the peninsular and passing through a built up area reached the country where I decided to be bold and walk down the centre of the road. A light shone on me, and I was in the bag.



I was marched to the town police station past still burning ruins, stripped and searched, and put in a cell for the night. The bed was full of lice so I slept on the floor. After a breakfast of a lump of black bread and some sort of jam I was handed over to two army sergeants. They took me on a tram full of women who were menacing when they realised who I was. One of them wearing a swastika who appeared to have authority quietened them down. The tram took us out into the country to a Luftwaffe camp and I was handed over to a new escort of two sergeants. The next morning I was interviewed by the Commanding Officer, only giving my name, rank, and number which he accepted.



With my bomb aimer and two gunners from another crew, I went to Berlin by train then on the underground eventually arriving at the aircrew interrogation centre near Frankfurt. I was there for nine days, then on to a holding unit where I met the pilot, navigator, wireless operator, and bomb aimer. We were then split up, the officers to a camp on the Baltic, and the N.C.O.'s to Stalagluft 7.



Due to the Russian advance we were marched West to Luchewald in January 1945, and in April 1945 liberated by the Russians. Our repatriation was delayed so three of us set off on bicycles, we then got a lift on a Russian lorry and finally on a German fire engine being driven by an American. who had liberated it. He took us to the American lines at Magdaburg, from there we went to Frankfurt, Paris, and home to England.
 
 
                                

 Thomas is buried in a joint grave with crew mate Thomas Dufty in location 6 D 9 in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland - the cemetery contains 283 Second World War commonwealth graves, most of which are aircrew who died in bombing operations on Stettin (now Szeczin).  23 other aircraft men shot down that evening and are buried in Poznan Cemetery,














Thursday 29 August 2013

Major William Hamilton Davey OBE - Northumberland Fusiliers


William Davey is one of the most intriguing characters I have come across while researching for this book.   

He was born in Carrickfergus in 1880, son of Robert and Jane Davey - he studied at Queens University and was a member of the Queen's University Officer Training Corps.  Prior to the war he had been a barrister and a journalist winning an OBE for his work.  He married Ruby Irene Davey and moved into a family home in Pier House Cultra. 

At the outbreak of the war he was commissioned to the Northumberland Fusiliers - Tyneside Irish Battalion a Brigade of pals battalions from Newcastle with Irish family connections.  William served as Major of the 4th Battalion throughout the war including on the front line during the Battle of the Somme where the Battalion suffered 539 casualties on the first day. 

A religious and political man, William was also very found of his men - the local papers of the time contain constant references to the loyal service of his soldiers and appeals to people in Carrickfergus to send whatever money or gifts they can to men at the front.  

A strong Presbyterian and servant of King and Country, William was also a rare Protestant Irish Nationalist and believed in a Home Rule government for Ireland within the UK.  Just days after the armistice in 1918 Major Davey returned home to take part in the General Election as a pro-Home Rule candidate for the Irish Parliamentary Party, standing in Duncairn against the Unionist candidate Sir Edward Carson in the 14th December 1918 General Election.  As the figures show he lost heavily polling only 17% of the votes.  


Irish Unionist Rt Hon Sir Edward Henry Carson 11,637 81.05 N/A

Irish Nationalist William Hamilton Davey 2,449 17.06 N/A

Sinn Féin Dr Russell McNab 271 1.89



In the two years following his health went rapidly down hill, he had contracted blood poisoning during the war and this had done untold damage to his health.  He died on 29th August 1920 at his home in Bawnmore Road, Belfast leaving behind a widow and young family Dermod and Pat.  At this funeral the coffin was draped in a Union Jack, a cap, sword and belt placed on top along with a laurel wreath with the inscription ‘To darling Daddy from Mammy, Dermod and Baby Pat’.

He is buried in Victoria Cemetery, Carrickfergus in Grave Location - C 35.  

 



Wednesday 28 August 2013

Lance Corporal Hugh McDowell - Died 17th August 1917 - Canadian Forces


Lance Corporal Hugh McDowell - 2188325 - attached to the Railway Troops Engineers, Canadian Army was born in North Street Carrickfergus on 3rd July 1887.  He was the eldest son of Robert and Elizabeth McDowell and brother to Maggie, Mary, Robert and William James.  The 1901 census lists the family living in 29 North Street, his father was a draper and tailor, Hugh was still a young school boy.   Hugh lived in North Street until 1911, he was an active member of the Carrickfergus Y.M.C.A and an earnest member of the 1st Carrickfergus Presbyterian Church.  

Prior to the outbreak of the war in 1914 Hugh left Carrickfergus and traveled to Canada seeking work and to pursue a life in the ministry there.  We know very little of his time in Canada however on 30th January 1917 in Regina, Saskatchewan we know he enlisted with the 7th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops.  

Following training in Canada, Hugh along with the 7th Battalion traveled to France for active service arriving in Le Havre on 28th March 1917 with 35 officers and 1003 other ranks. The Canadian railway units played a major role in the construction and maintenance of railways of all gauges, including light railways, for the five British Army areas in France and Belgium.  Due to the essential logistical nature of their work they were regular targets for German artillery and the battalion war diary contains numerous reference to men killed and wounded by artillery attack.   

While on active service in France in July 1917 Hugh was seriously injured by German shell fire.  He was quickly evacuated to a casualty clearing station and due to the scale of his wounds subsequently moved to King's Heath Hospital in Birmingham were he eventually died of his wounds on August 14th 1917.

On the 15th August his remain were sent by ship back to Ireland arriving back in Carrickfergus for his funeral on Friday 17th August.     Leaving from the Carrickfergus Railway station at 3 pm a large number of the public assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to this gallant young man.  An escort and firing party of the Royal Irish Rifles accompanied the remains which were placed on a gun carriage, the coffin being covered with the Union Jack.  The Rev Alexander Cuthbert minister of the 1st Presbyterian Church officiated at the graveside and paid tribute to the memory of Hugh.  At the conclusion of the tributes the firing party gave the last salute of three volleys and the “Last Post” was sounded. 

Sapper Hugh McDowell was laid to rest in St Nicholas Church Yard and the gravestone is still there today should you wish to visit it.


John McKeen Simms 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Remembering today: Fusilier John McKeen Simms - 10437 - 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Born in Carrickfergus in 1896, killed in Action 26th August 1914 aged 18.

On this date in 1914 the 2nd Battalion was heavily involved in the first day of the Battle of Le Cateau. For long hours during the morning of the 26th August, the British, notably the field artillery, held overwhelming numbers of the enemy at bay and inflicted severe loss. Miraculously, the Corps disengaged and withdrew towards the south during the afternoon. Smith-Dorrien's decision to turn II Corps around from retreat and to stand against the German advance at Le Cateau paid off handsomely.

John Simms was killed during this fighting and became the first man from Carrickfergus to be killed in action on land, air or sea - less than 1 month after the outbreak of the war. He was a pre-war regular and among some of the first members of the BEF to be involved in fighting in 1914.  
Prior to the war John was living in Victoria Road in East Belfast, his name appears on the Strandtown War Memorial on Belmont Road. 

He is buried in Esnes Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave reference: I (pictured)
 
 
Esnes Communal Cemetery
 

Saturday 17 August 2013

William Robinson 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles



NAME; Robinson, William
RANK; Lance Corporal
SERV. NO; 13081
UNIT/SERVICE; 5th Battalion
REGIMENT; Royal Irish Fusiliers
BORN; Carrickfergus 1885
LIVED; Eden, Carrickfergus
ENLISTED;
FATE; Killed in Action Dardanelles 16th August 1915 aged 20
CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered
CHURCH; Congregational
MEMORIAL; Helles Memorial Panel 178-180
REMARKS; William was the son of George and Jane Robinson and brother to Susan, Mary, Martha and Robert – Prior to the war William worked as a carter




Monday 12 August 2013

Rifleman Robert James Barron - 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles



NAME; Barron, Robert James
RANK; Rifleman
SERV. NO; 1159
UNIT/SERVICE; 16th Battalion Pioneer
REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles
BORN; Carrickfergus
LIVED;
ENLISTED; Belfast  
FATE; Killed in Action, August 11th 1917 near Ypres
CEMETERY; Body never recovered
CHURCH;
MEMORIAL; Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial – Panel 40
REMARKS; Robert was killed in action in fighting near Ypres on 11th August 1917, he has no known grave and is remembered on Panel 40 of Menin Gate.  At this stage very little is known about Robert, we could assume he was living in Co. Down prior to the war due to his enlistment with the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles who were formed from the Co. Down Volunteers in Lurgan September 1914.  The 16th Battalion was formed out of the 2nd Battalion County Down Volunteers, later renamed the 16th (Pioneer) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, upon the formation of the 36th (Ulster) Division. This was a unit trained both in field engineering and musketry.  


The 16th Royal Irish Rifles played their part on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. They were ordered to dig a communications trench in no-man's-land under fire, but, owing to the casualties sustained, the order was given to pull back. The trench tramway constructed by the Pioneers had helped evacuate many of the wounded and at one stage, necessitated men of its ranks to stand out under fire and repair the rails that had received a direct hit. The 16th Royal Irish Rifles would, however, remain in the line for a further six days on the Somme front, when the rest of the 36th Ulster Division was relieved. The work of the 16th Royal Irish Rifles continued unabated into August, constructing field defences and trench emplacements.
In September, the 16th Royal Irish Rifles mowed to Dranoutre as the weather turned to rain, although, it did not stop the Regimental Masonic Lodge No. 420 meeting three times, By November, the weather worsened to torrential rain and snow, Mufflers and woollen gloves from home became very welcome. The work of digging and draining trenches, erecting and repairing huts went on into December. Enemy artillery continued throughout the period, shelling the Pioneers at work and in their billets.
From January to March the 16th Royal Irish Rifles were involved in the build up to the Battle of Messines in June 1917. They helped construct railway lines necessary for the transportation of ammunitions and stores to the Front. They continued to construct communication trenches for the men and materials to move through for the assault. Thus, the battalion was dispersed over the Kemmel area, near Ypres, putting all in place. Snow and rain in April slowed the work and made the job of digging and drainage more difficult. In May. the Pioneers worked on building dugouts for the infantry and trench tracks, to facilitate artillery movement. Throughout this period, the different companies working on the front lines were sniped at and shelled with poisonous gas.
The next major offensive, as mentioned, was planned for Messines ridge that summer. The German army held the heights overlooking the salient and the plans of the British General Plumer were put in place to capture the heights on 7th June. Despite the success of the battle, yielding 7,000 prisoners and resulting in 10,000 German dead, the advantage was not exploited and the British army would soon flounder in the mud of the Passchendaele campaign.
As August commenced, the 16th Battalion prepared for the Ypres salient and the Battle of Langemark on 16th August. The 16th Battalion was billeted around Vlamertinghe to carry out infantry training and prepare the roads, over which the heavy artillery would move up to the next assault. In these opening days of August, while the men continued to labour at constructing the road, they were subjected to heavy rain and shelling.




 


Sunday 11 August 2013

Rifleman James Edens - 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles



NAME; Edens, James
RANK; Rifleman
SERV. NO; 10981
UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Irish Rifles
REGIMENT; “D COY” – 6TH Battalion
BORN; Carrickfergus 25th December 1890 
LIVED;
ENLISTED; Belfast 1914
FATE; Killed in action 11th August 1915 aged 25
CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered
CHURCH; St Nicholas Church of Ireland
MEMORIAL; Helles Memorial – Turkey – Panel 177 and 178
REMARKS; Son of Mrs Mary Thompson of Castle Street Carrickfergus - James was killed in action during the Sulva Bay Campaign, Gallipoli. 
Helles Memorial

Friday 9 August 2013

Sergeant Major James Campbell 7th Battalion R.I.R



NAME; Campbell, James
RANK; Sergeant-Major
SERV. NO; 4842
UNIT/SERVICE; 7th Battalion
REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles
BORN; Blaris, Co. Antrim
LIVED; Victoria Street, Carrickfergus / Portadown, Co. Armagh
ENLISTED; Belfast
FATE; Killed in Action 9th August 1917 during 3rd Battle of Ypres
CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered
CHURCH;
MEMORIAL; Ypres, Menin Gate Memorial, Panel 40
REMARKS;


Wednesday 7 August 2013

Stoker Robert McAtamney - H.M.S "Osmanieh"

A big thank you to Donna Wilson for providing some fantastic pictures of Stoker Robert McAtamney, lost at sea 31st December 1917. 




Robert pictured on the left with crew mates from the HMS Victory
NAME; McAtamney, Robert
RANK; Stoker
SERV. NO; 871011
UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine Reserve  
REGIMENT; H.M.S. "Osmanieh"
BORN; Carrickfergus
LIVED; 34 Taylors Row, Carrickfergus
ENLISTED; Carrickfergus
FATE; Lost at Sea as a result of enemy action
CEMETERY; Body Lost at Sea
CHURCH; St Nicholas Church of Ireland
MEMORIAL; Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 26
REMARKS; Robert was the son of William and Sarah McAtamney and husband of Margaret McAtamney.  Robert was a stoker on board the liner H.M.S “Osmanieh”. On Monday - 31st December, 1917, she was carrying troops and medical staff to Alexandria, Egypt when she struck a mine laid by UC 34 under the command of Oberleutnant zue See Horst Obermuller at the entrance to the harbour. She sank very quickly taking with her: Lieutenant Commander D.R. Mason, 2 other officers, 21 of its crew, 1 military officer. 166 other ranks and 8 nurses – Robert was one of the 21 crew lost. 


Robert's Death Penny sent to his family following news of his death

Built in 1906 as a passenger steamer, requistioned by the Admiralty in 1914. HMS Osmanieh struck a mine and sank in the entrance of Alexandria harbour, 31 December 1917

Remembering Today: Sergeant James Henry Taylor 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles



NAME; Taylor, James Henry
RANK; Sergeant
SERV. NO; 8152
UNIT/SERVICE; 2nd Battalion
REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles
BORN; Marylebone, Middlesex
LIVED; Carrickfergus
ENLISTED; Warley, Essex
FATE; Killed in Action, France and Flanders 7th August 1917
CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered
CHURCH;
MEMORIAL; Ypres Menin Gate (Belgium) – Panel 40
REMARKS;

Menin Gate taken June 2013