HOLLAND, Julius Charles

Sergeant Julius Holland

Sergeant/Observer, 107 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service No: 745631
Died: 23/07/1940
Age: 19
    
Interred in Tangmere (St. Andrew) Churchyard
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Julius Charles Chennell Holland was born on 17 October 1920 in Bombay India. He was the son of Julius Alfred Holland and his wife Beryl Ethel De La Hoyde Chennell. Julius, 24, who was working in the Imperial Civil Service, had married 17-year-old Beryl in Poona, Bombay, the previous January.

The family moved to England where his sister Phyllis was born in 1923, and thence to Bangor when his father joined the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance.

On 23rd July 1940 his aircraft, a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV, was returning to RAF Wattisham in Suffolk after a night raid on an airfield near Criel in Northern France when it was lost over the channel. His body was washed ashore and he was buried in Tangmere Churchyard in Sussex. The bodies of his crew mates Sergeant William Patrick O'Heney and Pilot Officer Peter George Anthony Watson where never recovered and both are remembered on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.

A Bristol Blenheim Mark IV

 

BANGOR AIRMAN MAKES SUPREME SACRIFICE

SERGEANT-OBSERVER C. J. HOLLAND
BRILLIANT R.A.F. CAREER
OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOY

We regret to record the death on active service of Sergeant-Observer Charles Julius Holland Royal Air Force.

The deceased airman, who was only 19 years of age, was a member of the R.A.F. Reserve and on the outbreak of hostilities joined his unit in England as an Aircraftsman. He took a very keen interest in the Air Force and was successful in passing the rigorous examinations. On 1st July he was posted as a Sergeant/Observer and began his short career of active service. He took part in several raids over enemy territory and it would appear it was whilst returning from a raid that he lost his life.

Sergeant Holland attended the Central P.E.S. and passed to the Grammar School on an entrance Scholarship. It is probable that he is the first Old Boy to make the supreme sacrifice in the present war. During his school career he was a prominent member of the Debating Society and the Dramatic Society, and took part in a number of the public performances of the latter Society.

He entered the Northern Ireland Civil Service two years ago and was employed in the Ordnance Survey Department. Possessed of a cheerful, winsome personality, Sergeant Holland was extremely popular and highly-respected by his colleagues.

The deceased airman was gifted with a distinct literary ability and it is possible that he might have made a name for himself in literary circles if his life had not been cut short.
Sergeant Holland’s father transferred from the Imperial Civil Service to an executive post in the Ministry of Finance. He was a great admirer of the town and came to live in Bangor seven years ago. Unfortunately he succumbed to an illness shortly after his arrival.

The first news of Sergeant Holland’s mishap was the receipt of a telegram by his mother on 23rd July stating that her son was missing. On Tuesday she received a further telegram stating that the body had been washed ashore on the Sussex coast and had been buried with full military honours.

To the bereaved mother and sister, who reside at 8, Hazeldene Park, we tender our sincere sympathy and trust that they wall receive consolation by the thought that their loved one sacrificed himself willingly in a noble and righteous cause.

County Down Spectator, 3rd August 1940

Memorial in St Comgall's Parish Church, Bangor

 

DEAD BANGOR AIR HERO'S MOVING LETTERS

NOBLE SENTIMENTS FINELY EXPRESSED
“WE WILL WIN THE WAR”

We are privileged to print extracts from letters written to his mother by 19-year-old Sergeant-Observer Charles Julius Holland, R.A.F., during the weeks immediately before his death in a raid over Germany. The fine, manly, Christian spirit that breathes in every line may well give us confidence in the knowledge that our glorious Air Force, manned by Britain’s steadfast, fearless youth, cannot know defeat.

In his last letter, dated 20th July, Sergt.-Observer Holland gives, to use his own words, “a wee word of advice and comfort.” “Don’t let the situation get you down,” he writes. “There is absolutely no danger of England losing this war. This is a time of hardship for everyone, and each Briton, worthy of that name, stands shoulder to shoulder with his fellow. Every farmer, every citizen, is a soldier. There is no panic here. That Elizabethan spirit of adventure and courage is stirring this country in a way that only the beacons and lands could do in the Middle Ages. I never thought we could be so aroused  — perhaps England is like a lion wakening from sleep, a little drowsy, but in a minute ready to roar and, more effective still, ACT! Don’t listen to that foul traitor whose nickname is Lord Haw Haw; he reminds me of a viper. His subtle outpourings are really made for the ears of the credulous. Never yet has one been true. When he fades off the air suddenly, one of us is going near his little haunt at Bremen. Then he fears and trembles and tells his wireless station to close down, so terrified is he of our bombers.
“Dearest Mother — England’s stake in this war can be helped by you and the thousands of Home Front soldiers as much as by us. If I repeat myself remember “Every careless, thoughtless word spoken at home is but another bullet in my ’plane.”

“I Have Got my Flying Badge.”

The young airman’s pride when he gets his flying badge gives an exultant note to his letter of 24th June.

“To-day is the grandest day in my life,” he writes, — “it ranks with my scholarship exam, and my Civil Service Exam.; — I have got my flying badge. I am now a real observer. I look at it every minute to make sure it does not fade away — oh! I am so pleased. It has been a long time in coming but now it’s here, resting above my left hand top pocket.

“Cheer up and don’t be upset because France is out,” the letter continues. “There is no need to worry. That spirit that won Waterloo and the Grand Armada has suddenly risen up again in this slow moving country. The ghosts of the past, Nelson, Drake and Wolffe, will rejoice at the grim determination that is sweeping over the country. It has taken this to awake Englishmen and Irishmen too. What greater watchword can we have than “No Surrender,” that glorious cry which awoke fear in the attackers of Derry. We, in the 20th century, can well turn back the pages of history and find that invincible spirit of England, Britain, Youth and glory. Who can fear now — are we cowards, are we down-hearted? — No! Life is given man to enable him to accomplish things and what greater cause is there than that of right, freedom and God. Tough and terrible as we are, we still look to God for victory and the support of his angels.”

Action at Last.

“Action at last!” he writes further on. “Where I am going is a secret which I do not know. Roaring over Germany or Italy to destroy pestilence and to endeavour to hit only military objectives. I am going to be careful where I drop my bombs and I hope the German airmen will respect our hospitals even as we have pledged ourselves to respect theirs.

“Tell my friends that we are going to win, because we are (I can easily see this from a Service viewpoint). So tell them this and together we can help to smash some filthy lie or foul propaganda that is the secret weapon of Hitler. I am sending you in this letter one of my props (I won’t need it, I hope). Keep this in your hand-bag. Every time you hear someone, or feel inclined perhaps yourself, talking morbidly or downheartedly, show it to. them (do not be afraid) and say “Here is a token of an airman who may be at this time flying over. Germany; he is my son and he is not downhearted; his friends and he rely upon you not to let them down by even thinking of defeat.”

“The Sweetness of Life.”

Here is another poignant extract:—

“You have heard often that proverb: ‘One good moment is enough for any man.’ My moment will come I know and I am sure I shall be ready and do the right thing before it passes. The sweetness of life is not in merely living, the greatest thing I can think of to do will be nothing in the sight of those who have gone before me. Even although I am going to more or less “live by the second,” I am sure the Great Lord will consider us in our struggle for Christianity, Freedom and the ultimate emancipation of all nations. No man is fit to live who has not put something into life, and we Britons have the chance to make the greatest history that has ever been written. Hastings will be mild compared to our glorious stand at this present critical hour. To me, life and death are so near and are such partners of mine, that I feel if I die I shall only see a transition. Mother, I want you to remember England in her struggle every day and with your prayers and thoughts combined with the thousands of others on the Home Front, victory is already won.

“My pilot is here with me and we are going to see if we can fox the Huns as much as possible. I am working out all sorts of marvellous dodges to fool them (I hope they work). I have even started playing with toy aeroplanes trying to evolve some intricate manoeuvre that will beat ’em. There is no doubt that they are windy—  windy as anything. I would hate to fly with a Hun pilot. At any rate, I am not underestimating them — some of them are the “goods.”

“The Sustaining Power.”

“Please don’t worry about me,” Sergt Observer Holland writes elsewhere, . . . “I want you to thank personally those people who have been thinking and praying for me. . . . I have felt the sustaining power lately that comes only from God. This is another reason why I am not afraid any more. I have been near it once or twice then I have felt the protection of a Power that is higher and more powerful than we can imagine. I don’t profess to have changed much, mother. I am not a person who could. I still smoke, go to pictures and enjoy worldly pleasures, but I hope I am not irreverent when I say at the same time I enjoy thinking of God, of life after this, and I am trying to develop the qualities that Daddy had. I want to be as strong minded, as respected as he was but I am afraid I am too easily won by things that are not so good.”

The dead airman’s mother lives at 8 Hazeldene Park, Bangor. His last letter (July 20) was written three days before she received a telegram reporting him as “missing.” A week later she received a second telegram informing her that his body had been washed up on the English coast and had been buried with full military honours. He was formerly a pupil at Bangor Grammar School.

County Down Spectator, 10th August 1940

MEEK, William Johnston

Master, S.S. Hatasu (Liverpool), Merchant Navy
Date of Death: 02/10/1941
Age: 48

Remembered of Tower Hill Memorial
Remembered on family memorial Bangor Cemtery

William Johnston Meek was born on 14th January 1893, in Ballymagee Street, Bangor. He was the son of David Meek, a draper, and his wife Anna (nee Johnston) and was the second of their nine children.

His father David, was a native of Portadown and had married Anna in Belfast in 1890 where was woking as a pawnbroker. After the marriage they moved to Ballymagee Street (now High Street) in Bangor, where he took up trade as a draper. They later moved to Ardbracken Terrace before moving to Clifton Road, the home of Anna's father William, a retired Master Mariner.

After school young William took after his grandfather (who had an interesting life story) and went to sea and by 1915 was 4th Officer on board the ss Colonial sailing to South Africa.

He served in the merchant navy throughout the Great War earning his Mercantile Marine medal and by 1928 had gained the rank of 2nd officer on the ss Armarna sailing round the Mediterranean.

He married a girl called Elizabeth but I have been unable to confirm any details at this point. Elizabeth was living in Southport, Lancashire, when granted administration of his estate in 1943.

ss Hatasu

In 1941, William was serving as master of the ss Hatasu, sailing from Manchester to New York in ballast, when she was torpedoed and sunk by U431 approx 600 miles east of Cape Race. Thirty four crew and six gunners were lost. Seven survivors were picked up by the USS Charles F. Hughes after seven days in boat and landed at Reykjavik.

William is recorded on the Second World War Memorial window
in First Bangor Presbyterian Church

Ulster Names in Casualty Lists
Among a list of deaths of members of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets is the name of William Johnston Meek, master, 71, Clifton Road, Bangor.
Northern Whig, Thursday, 7th May 1942

Master Mariners Death. -- A list of members of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets who have been killed by enemy action includes the name of William Johnston Meek, master, of 71, Clifton Road, Bangor.
Belfast Newsletter, Thursday, 7th May 1942

IRWIN, William Duncan

Sergeant, 2nd Batt., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Service No: 4459560
Died: 16/03/1944

Interred in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

William Duncan Irwin was born in Belfast on 25 June 1893 at the home of his maternal grandmother 145 M'Donnell Street. He was the son of William Henry Irwin, a tailor, and his wife Annie (nee Mathers). The fifth of their eventual nine surviving children, the family had been living there since his parents marriage in 1883 but had by this time moved to Larne and where now living in Adelaide Terrace.

Between 1897 and 1900 the family returned to Belfast and where living in Upper Frank Street at the time of the 1901 census before moving again to Ulsterdale Street where their last child was born in 1905. By 1911 the family had moved to Victoria Avenue in Bangor

In November 1912, William enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Reserves (SN: 2867) where he gave his occupation as Assistant Steward. He gave the family home at this time as Somerset Avenue, Bangor. Curiously his age is recorded as 17 years and 9 months.

He was mobilised on 6 August 1914 and posted to the 4th Battalion. Appointed Lance Corporal on 1 December 1914 he was further promoted Corporal in March 1915, Lance Sergeant in November 1915 and Sergeant in May 1916.

William was then posted to the 7th Battalion in June 1916.

He was admitted to hospital Dublin with suspected TB but was diagnosed with bronchitis before being discharged on 25 February 1918.

He was then transfered to 3rd Battalion in May 1918.

In January 1919 he was transferred to No 11 Officer Cadet Battalion at Pirbright and gazetted as Temporary Second Lieutenant on 8 March 1919. However he didn't serve as an officer for long as he was then demobilised to Class Z reserve on 10 March 1919.

In September 1919 sailed for America where he became a salesman for American Mills of New York.

He worked there for a number of years. Records show him returning home in August 1923 before returning to Newark, NJ, from Liverpool on 8 September 1923.

He later returned to sea in 1932 working as a waiter until at August 1939 sailing on various vessels such as the Llanstephan Castle, Oronsay, and Grantully Castle.

He re-enlisted in the Second Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and served in the Middle East. He took ill and died in No. 64 General Hospital, Alexandria on 16 March 1944 and was buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery.

RUTHERFORD, Robert Henry

Flying Officer (Navigator), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service No: 133718
Died: 22/07/1943
Age: 20

Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Robert Henry Rutherford was born in 1923.

His father was from Co Cork and had been a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police before becoming a detective sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He married his wife Pauline, a native of Co Longford, in Dublin in 1910.

On the disbandment of the RIC in 1922 Samuel, Pauline and their children moved to Bangor where Robert was born.

The following transcription taken from the Co Down Spectator of 31 July 1943 gives a biography of his life.

BANGOR AIRMAN’S DEATH

FLYING-OFFICER ROBERT H. RUTHERFORD

ANOTHER NAME has been inscribed on the roll of gallant young Bangor men who have made the supreme sacrifice in the present war — that of Flying-Officer Robert H. Rutherford, the intimation of whose death on Active Service was received with profound regret by his many friends.

Only a few weeks ago we mentioned in our columns that Flying-Officer Rutherford had paid us a visit at our Bangor office while on leave from his unit. Extremely modest when speaking of his own work as navigator of a big bomber, he was enthusiastic in his praise of the skill, daring and good comradeship of his crew. Younger son of the late Mr. Samuel Rutherford, and of Mrs. Rutherford, the young airman was educated at Main Street P.E. School, Bangor Grammar School, and Ardmore College, Belfast. As a schoolboy he had an outstanding athletic record, particularly in flat events, and had the distinction of winning both the 100 and 220 yards Northern Ireland boys’ championships. He played in one of the Grammar School rugby sides, and was the winner of many prizes at the annual athletic sports.

After leaving school he entered the costing office of Messrs. Short & Harland, Belfast; but the Air Force called him, and, enlisting some two years ago, he trained in Canada under the Empire Training Scheme, qualifying for his commission as Pilot-Officer last December. He continued his training in England, and was promoted Flying-Officer only last month. In the Air Force, as at school, his manly qualities and modest bearing made him extremely popular.

A gifted amateur actor, he was a member of Bangor Drama Club, in whose productions he figured in principal parts with great success. He was a fine vocalist, and was a member of First Bangor Presbyterian Church choir. The deep sympathy of the community goes out to his bereaved mother; his sister, Mrs. H. Ballagh, Holywood, and his brother, Mr. Samuel W. Rutherford, in their irreparable loss.

THE FUNERAL

The great regard in which the deceased airman was held expressed itself in a very large attendance at the funeral, which was to Bangor New Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.

On its way from Belfast to Bangor the funeral stopped at Holywood for a few minutes where the Rev. W. G. Wimperis, an old friend of the family, conducted a short family service.

The interment was preceded by a short service in First Bangor Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. Dr. Currie. Mr. Frank A. Parsons, F.R.C.O.. was at the organ, and the choir led the large congregation in the singing of “Rock of Ages” and “The Lord’s My Shepherd.”

Rev. Dr. Currie's Tribute

Robert is commemorated on the Memorial Window
for those who died in the Second World War
in First Bangor Presbyterian Church
(Image courtesy Nigel Henderson)

The mystery of the unfinished life, said Dr. Currie — or what seems to us an unfinished life — is as old as grief itself. The war has intensified it, but it did not create the problem. We on this side of the Great Divide cannot expect to solve the problem, but something may be said about it which may help in some degree to reconcile us to it. We are reminded of the fact that the death On Calvary was that of a young man. What more natural than that Mary His mother — Joseph, her husband, being dead — should have expected to have Jesus with her to the end. But instead, she was a pathetic and helpless witness of His crucifixion. And so, the sorrow which so many hearts are enduring at the present time, was Mary’s sorrow in Jerusalem nineteen hundred years ago. “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel,” said His friends. They had loved Him deeply, and moreover, they had hoped great things of Him, but death, like a killing frost, had touched the tender bloom, and it was gone.

We do not suggest that the death of Jesus is the solution of our problem. Rather, it is the aggravation, the supreme example of it. But death was not the end of Him. He did redeem Israel. He is doing it still. And furthermore, He is doing it by that very cross by which men thought they had disposed of Him for ever. If God could do that by the Son of Mary Who died at the age of thirty-three, we can believe that He will also do much by the broken, unfinished lives — as they seem to us — which we mourn to-day. Yea, we believe that the life of the future is one in which the whole nature springs into a new vividness of activity; that the training received in this life is not wasted, but is part of the preparation for the fuller life and nobler service of eternity. “His servants shall serve Him,” — there as well as here. What sweeter description of death could there be than that which is given it in the New Testament — falling asleep. “He fell asleep by the will of God.” Sleep is i a gentle thing. It is associated with peace and serenity. Moreover, it implies a waking again. We fall asleep to wake again, and to wake, the better for sleeps — refreshed by its quiet and strengthened by its rest for the new duties of the new day.

“Finest and Most Gallant”

Flying-Officer R. H. Rutherford, whose sudden death we all greatly deplore was one of our finest and most gallant young men. From every standpoint he was worthy of great praise. Physically, mentally and morally, he was all one could wish a young man to be. A most devoted and thoughtful son, a loyal and kindly brother and friend, deeply interested in his church — which he faithfully served as a member of the choir — and beloved by all who were privileged to know him, he will be sadly missed and lamented.

       “His life was gentle; and the elements
        So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up.
        And say to all the world, this was a man!”

He has passed away at the age of twenty. At the summons of his Great Commander-in-Chief, his Spirit has flown to the Heavenly Base, where he has been commissioned for service of a higher kind than belongs to mortals here below.

Our sympathy goes out in full measure to the bereaved mother and all the members of the family. We pray that God may abundantly fulfil unto them His gracious promise: “As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you.”

The chief mourners were Messrs. S. W. Rutherford (brother); Henry Ballagh (brother-in-law); Alex. Robb, G. Humphries, and J. Bryant (uncles), and T. G. H. Bennett.

The beautiful wreaths were from His sorrowing Mother; Sam and Eleanor, Lorna and Wendy; Henry and Pauline; Uncle Alec and Aunt Daisy, Phyllis and Charlie; Uncle George and Aunt Emily; Uncle Jim and Aunt Vic; The Ballagh Family; Mr. and Mrs. Lynas, Holywood; Dr. and Mrs. Currie; Mr. and Mrs. Parsons; Mrs. Glass and family; His friends in High Street; First Bangor Choir; Bangor Drama Club; Jack Leadbetter (Dublin); Officer-Commanding and Fellow Officers at a R.A.F. Station; Senior N.C.O.’s, R.A.F. Station; Corporals, R.A.F. Station; Mr. and Mrs. Hare, High Street; First Bangor Youth Fellowship; Staff Junior Boys’ School, Bangor; Miss M’Millan; Dorothy, John and Sally; Mrs. Patterson, Iris and Cora; George Patrick — his old friend; First Bangor Presbyterian Church; Wm. and Nan Sinclair, Joyce and David.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Jacob O’Neill, undertaken, Dufferin Avenue, Bangor.

TRIBUTE BY MR. M. WILKINS, M.A.

It was with deep regret and a sense of grievous loss that we heard of the sudden death on active service of Flying-Officer Robert Henry Rutherford, the twenty-third Old Boy of Bangor Grammar School to make the supreme sacrifice in this war. He was with us for just three years, coming with an Entrance Scholarship in 1935 and passing the Junior Certificate in 1938 with two distinctions and two credits. From the first one picked him out among the crowd of boys, conspicuous with his tall form and athletic build, his lithe carriage and graceful head with grey expressive eyes under the waving dark hair. It was impossible not to note and remember him, so full of restless eager interest in life, born for leadership in word and action. One felt that with his gifts of mind and understanding he should have achieved greater things in examinations perhaps he was too full of imagination and the love of action and adventure for close study. He shone in drama: there he found scope for his gift of words, his craving for action, his wide sympathy, his love of fun, his intense interest in human existence. In our little school dramatic society he was a foremost member, full of energy, talent, enthusiasm: he filled many parts with ability and distinction.

On the running track he was supreme. His giant form moved with a speed that was irresistible and a wonder to watch. He easily carried off our Junior Victor Ludorum (Wilson) Cup. At the Ulster Schools Sports in 1937 he was the central star of our team that won the Junior Championship: he won the Junior 100, 220 and 330 yards, setting up records for the 100 (11 1/5 secs.) and 220 yards (24 2/5 secs.) which are still unbeaten. In that year, too, he had played as a three-quarter on our Rugby Medallion team. He appears in the photographs taken of these two groups which hang in the School.

I remember my intense disappointment when this lad of high promise left us after passing Junior Certificate. I felt it to be a loss to the School that he should not go forward to the final year of his course and gain a place among our leading boys. Perhaps it was characteristic of him to break loose and go out into the wider world before his time, to follow paths of glory and peril that have led him to death in the service of a great ideal. It is our best, our loveliest and bravest that fall. We should all of us feel a deep humility, a sense of the unworthiness of our common lives, that these young men, so guiltless of the sins that have led to this war, should sacrifice the promise of noble lives for the redemption of humanity. Their heroism and goodness strengthens our belief in a God Who is better than anything we can conceive and in Whose Eternal Hands they are safe. And may He in His Infinite Mercy bring comfort and hope to the bereaved.

Northern Whig, Saturday, 24 July 1943

Killed on Active Service

RUTHERFORD -- July, 1943, Robert Henry Rutherford, Flying-Officer, R.A.F.V.R., killed on active service, younger son of the late Samuel Rutherford and Mrs. Pauline Rutherford, Bangor, Co. Down. Funeral arrangements later. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Mother.

RUTHERFORD -- July 1943, Robert Henry Rutherford, Flying-Officer, R.A.F.V.R., killed on active service, younger son of the late Samuel Rutherford and Mrs. Pauline Rutherford, Bangor, Co. Down. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Brother, Sam, Sister-in-law, Eleanor, and little Nieces, Lorna and Wendy. 4. Sandringham Gardens, Bangor, Co. Down.

RUTHERFORD -- July, 1943, Robert, Henry Rutherford, Flying Officer, R.A.F.V.R., killed on active service, younger son of the late Samuel Rutherford and Mrs. Pauline Rutherford, Bangor, Co. Down. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Sister, Pauline, and Brother-in-law, Henry. “Cul-na-Greine,” Belfast Road, Holywood, Co. Down.

MAHAFFY, Henry Irwin

Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps
Date of Death: 22/10/1917
Age: 23

 Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Henry Irwin Mahaffy was born in Ward Villa West, Bangor, on 7 September 1894. He was the son of William Irwin Mahaffy, a solicitor, and his wife Jane (nee Machett) a native of Australia where they married in 1893. He was the eldest of their six children.

He attended Bangor Grammar School and September 1911 became apprenticed to his father who had offices in Calendar Street, Belfast, and had been appointed as Town Solicitor of Bangor in 1901.

Henry, who also played rugby for Bangor, enlisted on the formation of the Ulster Division and served in France with the 13th Battlion, Royal Irish Rifles.

In February 1917, he returned home and qualified for a commission in the Royal Flying Corps and was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in May and was stationed at Salisbury Plain.

However, just five months later, in October 1917, Henry was to tragically lose his life in a training flight.

His father travelled to England and returned Henry's body to Bangor for interment.

His younger brother William, was later killed in the Second World War while serving with the Royal Air Force.

ILIFF, Eric

Corporal, 10th Batt., Durham Light Infantry
Service No: 42730
Died: 16/09/1916
Age: 18

Interred in AIF Burial Ground, Flers.
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor cemetery.
   
Eric Ilff was born in Cleadon, Co Durham in the later part of 1897. He was the son of Harold Iliff, a Land Agent, and his wife Edith Mary (nee Dodd). He was the second of their four children, his siblings being Muriel (c1896), Phyllis (c1900), and Constance (c1909).

He attended Bede Collegiate Boys' School in Sunderland, were he was a Durham County Council Junior Scholar, before being transferred to Ryhope Secondary School in 1911, when the County Council opened that school. The 1911 census recording that his father, Harold, had become a teacher of music by this time.

After school be became an apprentice engineer at the Scotia Engine Works in Sunderland.

Eric enlisted with 7th Reserve Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (SN 3310) on 26th November 1914, and was appointed Lance Corporal on 15th July 1915.

He reverted to Private when posted to the Expeditionary Force on 16th July 1916 but was appointed Acting Corporal on 4th August 1916 when serving with the 10th Entrenching Battalion.

Eric was then posted to the 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 3rd September 1916 and allotted regimental number 42730 and reverted to private once again.

He was reported missing, later killed in action, on the 16th September 1916 when the 10th Battalion where involved in a major action east of Gueudecourt.

How and why his family moved to Bangor is unknown but his parents where still living in Cleadon in the late 20s.

AIF Burial Ground, Flers, France

MURRAY, Francis Patrick

Lance Corporal, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
transferred to (228110) Labour Corps
Service No: 26545
Died: 27/12/1917
Age: 28
   
Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Francis Patrick Murray was born in Bramley, Leeds, in 1889 (possibly 1st January). He was the son of Richard Murray, an Excise officer and Elizabeth Murray nee Trevor, and the second of their four sons.

His father's position saw the family, including his older brother Richard, move to Ireland where his brother William was born in Dublin in 1894 and then Monasterevin, Co Kildare, where brother Eugene was born in 1897.

In the census of 1901, Francis, now aged 12, and his three brothers were living with their aunt Maria Carroll, in Richmond Terrace, Bray

In 1911, Francis was working as a Chemists Assistant and living in a Hotel in Harcourt Street.

Francis was working as a Chief Dispensing Chemist and was a licentiate of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland when he enlisted in the 10th (Commercial) Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Dublin on 24 March 1916.

His father Richard, now a retired Surveyor of Customs and Taxes, died in Dublin in October 1916.

Little is known of exact service but in March 1917 Francis was admitted to Huddersfield War Hospital with Valvular Disease of the Heart, the record stating that it was present at enlistment.

He was posted to the 11th Battalion on 9th April 1917 before being transferred to the Labour Corps in July 1917.

Francis was stationed in Clandeboye South Camp when he was admitted to the Camp Hospital on 13th December suffering from tonsillitis and was discharged to "Light Duty" on the 18th December having recovered.
A surviving medical note records that on the morning of 27th December 1917: "He was found dead near a latrine close to his Barrack Room, the Police were notified and an inquest was not considered necessary... I am informed the night previously joined in Xmas festivities with some of his comrades at Bangor. This man's condition was in my opinion aggravated by his military service."