McCLURE, James

Corporal, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
Service No: D/21116
Died: 30/03/1918
Age: 28

Interred in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

James was born on 17 April 1889 in Castle Street, Bangor. He was the son of John McClure, a sailor, and Elizabeth (Bessie) McClure (nee McAlorum. While her maiden name on the family headstone is 'McAloran' the various documents available record the name as 'McAlorum' or 'McIlorum'). His parents married in St Annes Church, Belfast, on 1 August 1887.

The family moved to Bangor for a short while where James (Castle St.) and his brother John (West St.) were born.

They returned to Belfast shortly after and John died here in December 1892, at Canmore Street, Belfast. Three of James' sisters were born in Belfast – Maggie (1893); Martha (1897); and Kathleen (1899).

After Kathleen's birth the family moved to live in Castle Street, Bangor, where the remainder of James' siblings where born – Jane (1904); Alice (1905); Thomas (1908); and  Hugh (1909). It was also here that his grandmother died in 1916.

When the war broke out James enlisted and joined the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) entering France with them in August 1914.

Troops of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) on the march approaching
Hardecourt Wood, 18 September 1916. IWM Q4239.

The regiment, which had been was stationed at Aldershot at the start of the war, landed in France as part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Cavalry Division, part of the Expeditionary Force, in August 1914 for service on the Western Front. The regiment took part in the Great Retreat in August 1914, the Battle of Le Cateau in August 1914, the First Battle of the Marne in September 1914, the Battle of Messines in October 1914, the First Battle of Ypres in October 1914, the Battle of the Somme in Autumn 1916, the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917, the Battle of the Scarpe in August 1918 and in the final advance of Autumn 1918. [Wikipedia]

James McClure is recorded on the Bangor Parish
War Memorial in St. Comgall's Church

On the 27th March, the regiment crossed the Somme in support of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade and took up position filling in gaps in the line. At 10.30 on the morning of the 30th, the Germans commenced a bombardment of the front and at 12.30pm began an infantry assault.

James was killed in action in this assault, the War Diary recording that the regiment suffered 25 wounded, 2 missing and 7 killed on that day.

LOVE, Charles Edwin

Ship's Steward, HMS Indefatigable, Royal Navy
Service No: 209188
Died: 31/05/1916
Age: 38

Remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Charles Edwin Love was born in Curran, Larne, on the 23rd January 1878. He was the son of John Love, a coastguard, and his wife Martha (nee Mickels) and the fifth of their eight children. Both his parents were from Cork and had married there in 1864. John was in the Royal Navy and was serving on HMS Cambridge, then in Devonport, at the time.

In 1870, when their first daughter was born, Charles' father had joined the coastguard in Malahide and by 1873, the family had moved north where John had taken up a posting to Islandmagee. Over the next decade, John took up posts in Larne, Glynn, and was Chief Boatman in the Carrickfergus station when he retired.

By 1901 the family were living in Mountcollyer Street, Belfast, before finally moving to Holborn Avenue in Bangor by 1911.

On leaving school Charles served on a number of merchant vessels before enlisting in the Royal Navy on 1st March 1900 becoming Ships Steward from leading seaman in 1906.

In 1908, he married Cecilia Amelia Annie Bastin in Devonport and the following year their son John Charles Beresford was born in Saltash, Cornwall.

On finishing his 12 years service, Charles re-enlisted on 1 March 1912.

On the outbreak of war, Charles was serving onboard HMS Indefatigable and was killed in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. His body was never recovered and he is remembered on the Plymouth Naval War Memorial.

Plymouth Naval War Memorial © CWGC

HANNA, Robert Alexander

Private, D Company, 1st Battalion, Australian Infantry
Service No: 1326
Died: 02/05/1915

Remembered on Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery
 
Robert Alexander Hanna was born on the 11th November 1882 in Main Street Bangor.
He was the son of Joseph Hanna and his wife Jane Hanna nee Bowman, and was the youngest of their six children.

Lone Pine Memorial. Image © CWGC

His father Joseph was a native of Banbridge and was a clerk and book-keeper with the firm of Messrs Dixon, Ferguson and Co., linen manufacturers, Belfast. He married Jane Bowman in Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor, in July 1871 and the family moved to live in Main Street.

Joseph changed careers to become a grocer and General Merchant after the birth of their first child, Isabella, in 1872. About 1885 he moved to Chicago where he worked for the packing firm of Messrs. Fowler & Co. as a town traveller.

Robert was working as a draper by the time of the 1901 census and sometime after emigrated to Australia.

His family had moved to Queens Parade by the time of the 1911 census but later that year moved to Beaumont Terrace, Bangor, and it was there his father Joseph died on 13th November 1911.

Robert was working as a grazier in Australia and enlisted on 12th November 1914 at Liverpool, New South Wales.

He went to Gallipoli with the ANZAC forces but was reported as missing in action on 2nd May 1915.

A Court of Enquiry was held on 11 January 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir on those men marked as missing during the landing at Gallipoli on the 25th April and subsequent actions.

The court found that "those missing during the action at Lone Pine... thinks that there is little possibility of any of those men being alive..." consequently Robert's service record records that he was "previously reported missing now reported killed in action".

Robert's brother, James, served also with the RAMC.

DORNAN, Matthew

Private, 1st Batt., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Service No: 8956
Died: 13/02/1919
Age: 30

Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Matthew was born in Beech Street, Belfast, on the 11th September 1889. He was the son of  Joseph Dornan, a brick burner, and his wife Mary Dornan (nee McGreavey) and was the third of their four children.

The family lived at various addresses in Belfast: Taggarts Houses, Lower Ballysillan, where sibling Agnes was born in 1895; Lawnview Street in the 1901 census; and Mayo Street in the 1911 census and later.

Matthew worked in the Blackstaff Flax Spinning and Weaving Co. on the Springfield Road.

On the 7th February 1907 Matthew, then aged 18, enlisted for full-time service in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers having previously served in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion.

He served in Malta, China and India where he spent part of his service working as a hospital orderly and in June 1914, he re-enlisted for another 2 years.

Matthew went to Gallipoli with the 1st Battalion in March 1915 and in August 1915 was sent to hospital with dysentery from which he suffered with continually off and on over the next year.

In 1916 the Battalion went to France but Matthew continued to suffer bouts of ill health.

In November 1917 he was finally discharged due to his health, his discharge papers recording that his discharge was due to "Disability caused by military service... attributable to... climate, stress of campaign, dysentery enteric and trench foot; Disability melancholia."

He is recorded as a Lance-Corporal on his discharge papers.

Matthew on being discharged went to live with his aunt Mrs Brown who lived in Ruby Street, Bangor.

It was there that Matthew died on the 13th February 1919 aged 28 of septic pneumonia and cardiac failure.

CROZIER, Walter Henry

Walter and William Crozier*

Sergeant, 5th Royal Irish Rifles.

Interred in Bangor Cemetery.

Walter Henry Crozier was born on the 15 October 1881 in Carrickblacker, Co Armagh.

He was the son of William James Crozier, a coachman, and his wife Henrietta Crozier (nee Neill) and the third of their six children.

The family moved to Bangor in the late 1890s after the birth of the youngest child Elizabeth (known as May) who was born 1895 and where living in 72 Castle Street at the time of the 1901 census. Walter at this time is recorded as being a coach carpenter.

In 1902 Walter, now living in Bellevue Street, Belfast, married Annie Nelson in St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast.

They moved back to the Bangor area and it was here they had six children – William James (1903, Bangor); Hugh Nelson (1905, Groomsport); Walter Henry (1907, Groomsport); Archibald (1909, Bangor); Frederick (1912, Bangor. Walter now working as a Van Man); and Samuel, (1914, Bangor.)

Their second child, Hugh, died at only 8 months old.

When war broke out Walter and his brother William enlisted. Walter quickly progressed and was recorded as Pioneer Sergeant with the 5th Royal Irish Rifles stationed at Victoria Barracks, Belfast when their son Samuel was born.

Sadly Walter's wife Annie died on 11 December 1914 in Newtownards Workhouse. The cause of death was recorded as "general debility following childbirth – 1 month – pleurisy and cardiac failure 1 day certified." It has been stated that Samuel was later adopted.

While family lore said Walter stayed on Home Service training troops at Clandeboye, the Medal Roll for the Victory Medal shows that while Walter did spend most of his service with the 5th Reserve Battalion he may have enlisted with the 7th Reserve in Belfast before transferring to the 5th and also did brief stints with other battalions overseas.

Entry for Walter on the Roll for the Victory Medal.

Walter later married Mary Finlay on 11 February 1919 in St. Anne's Parish Church, Belfast.

William, Walter's younger brother, enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles, and served with the 13th Battalion. He was killed in May 1917 at Kemmel Hill.

Walter's later life was beset with problems as some of his sons became involved in a life which brought them in constant contact with the courts.

In 1933 Walter's son Archibald married Alice Rice.

With the onset of the Second World War Walter's four sons – William, Walter, Archibald and Frederick – enlisted in the Army: William is reported as having been drowned in the Nile while on R&R; Walter in the RASC with the 8th Army; and Archibald is reported as being at Dunkirk and suffering later as a result.

Archibald died at the family home in Hazelbrooke Avenue in 1941.

Walter passed away there 10 years later on the 9th May 1951.

CROZIER – May 9, 1951, at his residence, 11 Hazelbrooke Avenue, Bangor, Walter, dearly-loved husband of Mary Crozier. House and funeral private. – Deeply regretted by the Family Circle.

Belfast Telegraph, 9 May 1951.

* This image is belived to be of Walter and William Crozier  although it is not confirmed or known who is who.

BEATTY, James Harold

Trooper, Fort Garry Horse, Canadian Mounted Rifles
Service No: 115976
Died: 01/04/1918
Age: 21

Interred in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Known as 'Hal', James Harold Beatty was born on 16 January 1896 in Killarty, a townland near Brookeborough in Co Fermanagh. He was the son of James Joseph Beatty, a farmer, and his wife Annie Beatty nee Bamford.

Shortly after the family moved to Neonery in the townland of Crossdoney, Co Cavan and it was there that James grew up with his older brother George.

In April 1914, now a Clerk, James emigrated to Canada on the Empress of Ireland. Going to to Halifax, Nova Scotia, James was taking up a position as Bank Clerk with the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

Hal is recorded in the Canadian First World War
Book of Remembrance

James was living in Nokomis, Saskatchewan, when, on 16 February 1916, he went to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, to enlist and was posted to the 10th Overseas Canadian Mounted Rifle Regiment.

Within a month of enlisting James health had suffered coming down with a mild case of influenza and a severe case of measles.

When he had recovered he embarked on the 29 April 1916 onboard the SS Olympic going to Shorncliffe, a camp near Cheriton in Kent, which was a staging post for troops destined for the Western Front. It was here in May, that James was promoted acting Lance Corporal.

James health also took another setback here when, in June, he contracted a mild case of German measles.

Reverting to the ranks at own request on 10 December 1916 shortly before leaving Shorncliffe on 17 December 1916 James left to join the Fort Garry Horse in France where it was part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, arriving on the 19 December 1916.

James joined his unit on 5 January 1917 and served with them for just over a year when he was killed in action on 1 April 1918.

ORR, John Francis

Rifleman, 11th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 18/358
Died: 01/07/1916

Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

John Francis Orr was born on 28th September 1889 in Main Street, Bangor. He was the son of John Orr, a labourer and brick moulder, and his wife Agnes Orr (nee Fowler), and was the 8th of their 11 children.

The family moved to Castle Street in Bangor where they are recorded in the 1901 census and later in 1911. However, John, now working as a labourer, was staying with his sister Sarah in Ballyree in the census of 1911.

John enlisted with the 18th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, which was formed in Holywood in April 1915 as a Reserve Battalion and which later moved to Clandeboye in July 1915.

It was while here he married Minnie McCamley on 8th October 1915 in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church.

He was transferred to the 11th Battalion and entered France on the 8th December 1915.

John was reported missing after the first day the Battle of the Somme. His parents appealed for information in the local papers. It is reported that a soldier in a French hospital wrote and told them that he had seen John with shrapnel wounds to his legs but it was later confirmed that John must be presumed killed in action on the 1st July.

McEWAN, William Arthur

Merchant Seaman
Died: 4/08/1916
Age: 22

Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

William McEwan was born on the 20th March 1894 in Slieveban, Co Donegal. He was the third son of St.George Glencairn McEwan (known as George), a coastguard, and his wife Ann nee McNeill.

The family had moved several times as George was posted to various stations. The family had been living in Cushendun, Co Antrim when William's two older siblings, David and Margaret, where born before moving to Slieveban. It was here his brothers George and Isaac where also born. The family then moved to Helen's Bay where brother Charles was born in 1899. When his father George retired from the Coastguard the family moved to Hardcastle Street in Belfast and it was here George died in 1914.

In 1909, at the age 15, William joined the Royal Navy as a Signal Boy where he served, among other postings, on the Ganges, Impregnable, and King Alfred. William had an exemplary service record and in 1912, at age 18, fully enlisted with the rating of Ordinary Signalman.

Unfortunately, only two years later in 1914, William was dismissed as unfit for service suffering with acute rheumatism.

William did not give up the sea however, and joined the mercantile marine where he served on vessels such as Lord Antrim and Duke of Argyll.

In 1916 William came down with malaria and was being brought home by a White Star liner but only reached Liverpool. The family received a telegram from the White Star Company and his mother and a brother crossed over to Liverpool but William died later that day in the Northern Hospital.  His remains were brought home to Bangor and he was interred in Bangor Cemetery on Monday, 7th August.

Although, as a merchant seaman, the circumstances of his death preclude him as being included as a war fatality with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission William is commemorated on the Bangor and District War Memorial and the Royal British Legion (Bangor Branch) Memorial Plaque.

M'EWAN -- August 5, 1916, suddenly, at the Northern Hospital, Liverpool, William Arthur, third and dearly-beloved son of Annie and the late George M'Ewan, R.N., 28 Croft Street, Bangor.

Bangor Man's Death.
The many friends of the family in Bangor learned with deep regret of the sudden death in a Liverpool Hospital or Mr. Wm. A. M'Ewan, son of Mrs. M'Ewan and the late Mr. Geo. M'Ewan, R.N., Croft Street, Bangor. Deceased had been brought home by a White Star liner suffering from malaria fever, but he unfortunately did not survive to reach Bangor. Mrs. M'Ewan and his brother crossed on Friday on receiving the Company's wire, but found him unconscious and sinking rapidly. His remains were interred in the Bangor New Cemetery on Monday, the attendance at the funeral being very large and representative. Rev. J. R. M'Donald, M.A., conducted the funeral service.

(The Spectator, 11 August 1916.)

MERCER, Robert

First Engineer, S.S. "Bandon" (Cork), Mercantile Marine
Died: 13/04/1917
Age: 67

Remembered on Tower Hill Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor cemetery

Robert Mercer was born in Clonmel about 1850 and was the son of Richard Mercer, an engineer.

Robert joined the mercantile marine working as an engineer on various vessels mainly on coasting trade in home waters.

He was living in Cork when he married Ellen Corban in St Lukes Parish Church, Cork, on 30th July 1878.

The family stayed in Cork and it was there that Robert and Ellen raised their nine children.

In 1917 Robert was serving as the First Engineer on the ss Bandon and on 12th April, sailed from Liverpool for Cork with a cargo of coal under the command of Captain P.F. Kelly with a crew of 32.

ss Bandon

The ship was just off Mine Head when it was struck was holed on the port side beside the engine room. Generally recorded as having been torpedoed by U33 it is now believed it was caught in a minefield laid by U44. (www.naval-history.net)

The ship began to sink immediately and the captain returned to the bridge and ordered to head to land. Unfortunately, the ship exploded due to the damage to the engine room and sank rapidly taking most of the crew with it.

The captain managed to come back to the surface and was able to reach one of the collapsible deck-seats which were floating among the wreckage. The third engineer, Mr Mercer; Jeremiah O'Keeffe, fireman; Kewley, carpenter; J. McCarthy, AB and a fireman, John Walsh were also clinging to the deck seat. Sadly McCarthy lost hold of the raft and was drowned.

After 6 p.m. a motor launch which had been sent to their rescue picked up four survivors, after being 2 1/2 hours in the water. The fifth man, John Walsh, in letting go of the raft grasped the large rope fender of the motor launch, but just as he did so she took a heavy roll, with the result he lost his grasp and was drowned.

McEWAN, David

Rifleman David McEwan

Rifleman, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 8596
Died: 10/03/1915
Age: 26

Remembered on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

David McEwan was born on the 18th December 1888 in Cushendun, Co Antrim. He was the son of St.George Glencairn McEwan (known as George), a coastguard, and his wife Ann nee McNeill and was the eldest of their six children. The birth, which was registered by his grandfather David McNeill, recorded the surname as McKeown but this was not picked (probably because his grandfather was illiterate) but a corrected entry was made in December 1899.

The family moved several times as George was posted to various stations. After David's sister Margaret was born in 1890 the family moved to Slieveban in Co Donegal. It was here his brothers George, William and Isaac where born. The family then moved to Helen's Bay where brother Charles was born in 1899. When his father George retired from the Coastguard the family moved to Hardcastle Street in Belfast and it was here George died in 1914.

About 1907 David enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. The 2nd Battalion had been stationed in Ireland but in 1906 had moved to Aldershot before moving to Dover in 1909. It was in the Citadel Barracks there that David is recorded in the 1911 census as having attained the rank of corporal.

When war broke out the 2nd Battalion, now stationed at Tidworth, were mobilised leaving there on the 13th August and disembarking at Rouen the following day. They moved forward and were involved in the battle of Mons on 23rd August.

David may have missed this engagement, however, as his Medal Index Card records the date on entering the theatre of war as the 26th August, but would have been involved in the first Battle of Ypres and La Bassée after which the battalion had been reduced to 40 men.

In March 1915, the 1st Battalion took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, an attempt to seize Aubers Ridge, attacking over the same ground where the 2nd Battalion had been virtually wiped out at the Battle of La Bassée the previous October. In their ranks were veterans of Mons, redrafted from the 2nd Battalion on recovery from wounds, etc. One of those men was David McEwan.

The Northern Whig of 2nd April 1915, reported: "Details of the losses sustained by the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Neuve Chapelle, on the 10th ult., and subsequent days, continue to be received in Belfast... Rifleman David M'Ewan, killed in action, was a son of Mrs A. M'Ewan, 34, Hardcastle Street, Belfast. He was 26 years of age, and was serving at the front since November last."

Portrait image courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Great War Ulster Newspaper Clippings

CONWAY, William John

Corporal, 2nd Batt. (attch. 7th), Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Service No: S/6003
Died: 26/03/1918
Age: 22

Remembered on Arras Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Stevenston War Memorial, Ayrshire

William John Conway was born in 1st October 1895 at 10 St. Leonard Street in Belfast. (His birth was register by a Grace Macaulay who gave the surname as Connery). He was the second child of Robert Conway, a Railway Guard, and his wife Margaret Jane (nee Moore).

William's father Robert came from Conlig, a small village midway between Newtownards and Bangor. Robert was working as a car driver when he married Margaret in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church in February 1892.

Robert and Margaret where living in Castle Street, Bangor, when their first child Margaret was born in Dec 1892 – Robert now working as a Railway Porter – before moving to Belfast where William was born in 1895 and his sister Minnie Agnes was born 12 St Leonard Street in 1899.

The family then moved to Stevenston in Ayrshire, although the exact date is unknown. As no sign can be found in the 1901 Irish census it can only be assumed they moved shortly before. It was there that Williams four other siblings where born – Robert, Martha, Hugh, and Thomas.

William enlisted in the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), entering France on 20 September 1915 – the date which the 10th Battalion are recorded as entering France. Two months later, in November 1915, the 10th were sent to  Salonika.

In April 1916, suffering from acute nephritis, William (recorded as serving with D Company, 10th Batt.) was transferred to the Hospital Ship Formosa and in December he embarked at Shat-el-Arb for Bombay (now recorded as serving with the 2nd Battalion) and in February 1917 was transferred to England.

As the 2nd Battalion stayed in Palestine and Mesopotamia, however, it is logical to assume he was transferred to the 7th Battalion with whom he is recorded as serving when he was presumed killed on 26th March 1918.

ANGUS, James

Private James Angus

Private, 29th Batt., Canadian Infantry
Service No: 75229
Died: 11/09/1916
Age: 29

Remembered on Vimy Memorial
Remembered on Family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

James Angus was born on 16th July 1887 in Cottown, a small townland in Co Down between Donaghadee and Bangor. He was the eldest son of Alexander Angus, a labourer, and his wife Mary (nee Murphy) and the second of their nine children.  

On leaving school James became an agricultural labourer like his father and, at some point after 1911, emigrated to Canada. It was there were he enlisted with the 29th Battalion Canadian Infantry in November 1914.

His attestation papers gave his year of birth as 1889 and occupation as Powder Maker. The  papers also recorded that he belonged to an active militia and further that he was serving with the 72nd Regiment Seaforth Highlanders in August 1914 and that he transferred to the 29th Battalion Canadian Infantry in November 1914 were he signed his attestation papers on 21st Nov 1914 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Memorial Window in Shore Street Presbyterian Church, Donaghadee

James sailed from Montreal to England on the s.s. Missambie in May 1915 and embarked for France in September 1915.

James was reported as killed in action on 11th September 1916. He was the third of three Angus brothers to be killed in action. His brother Robert was killed on 9th July 1916 at the Somme. His brother Blair was reported missing on 1st July 1916 but it took almost a year before he was official recorded as presumed killed on that date.

ANGUS, John Blair

Rifleman Blair Angus

Rifleman, 13th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 17155
Died: 01/07/1916
Age: 19

Remembered on Thiepval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

John Blair Angus, known as Blair, was born on the 10th July 1896 in Cottown, a small townland in Co Down between Donaghadee and Bangor. He was the youngest son of Alexander Angus, a labourer, and his wife Mary (nee Murphy) and the sixth of their nine children.

Blair served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Barry Niblock on his North Down and Ards website records that his expertise as a rat catcher led to his appointment as Assistant Rat-Killer in his Platoon.

Memorial Window in Shore Street Presbyterian Church, Donaghadee

Blair was posted as missing in action after the first day of the Battle of the Somme and, although recorded as killed in the columns on the Northern Whig of 14 July 1916, it was not until June 1917 that it was officially confirmed that he must be presumed to have been killed on that date.

Two of Blair's brothers, James and Robert, also served. Robert was killed on 9th July 1916 and James on 11th September 1916.

Mr. Alexander Angus, 20, Albert Street, Bangor, has just received official news that his third son, Rifleman Blair Angus, Royal Irish Rifles, missing since 1st July, was killed on that date. This is the third and last son of the family, the others having been killed on 9th July, 1916, and 15th September, 1916, respectively.

Northern Whig, 18th June 1917

ANGUS, Robert

Lance-Corporal Robert Angus

Lance Corporal, 2nd Batt., Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service No: 20885
Died: 09/07/1916
Age: 23

Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Robert Angus was born on 6th September 1893 in Cottown, a small townland in Co Down between Donaghadee and Bangor, and was the second son of Alexander Angus, a labourer, and his wife Mary (nee Murphy) and the fifth of their nine children. Like his father and brother Robert worked as an agricultural labourer after leaving school.

Robert moved to Scotland and was working as a bricklayer's labourer when he enlisted in  December 1915 in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was posted  to the 3rd Batt. in February 1916 where he was appointed Lance-Corporal in March 1916. He was then posted to the 1st Batt. joining them in France in June 1916.

Memorial Window in Shore Street Presbyterian Church, Donaghadee

Posted to the 2nd Batt. on 5th July 1916 Robert was killed in action just 4 days later on 9th July 1916 on the Somme.

Two of Robert's brothers, Blair and Robert, also served. Blair was reported missing on 1st July 1916 but it took almost a year before he was official recorded as presumed killed on that date. His brother James was killed on 11th September 1916.

KILLED IN ACTION
ANGUS – Kiled in action on July 9, 1916, Lance-Corporal Robert Angus, Royal Scots Fusiliers, aged 22 years, second son of Alexander and Mary Angus, late of Cottown. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers and Uncle (on Active Service). 20 Albert Street, Bangor.

Belfast Newsletter, 1st August 1916

SAVAGE, John Graham

Rifleman John Savage

Rifleman, 13th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 2365
Died: 16/08/1917
Age: 24

Remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

John Savage was born in Holborn Street, Bangor on 7 November 1893. He was the son of James Hamilton Savage, a carpenter, and his wife Mary (nee Graham) and was the third of their four children.

His father James became a succesful building contractor and the family moved to Mount Herald, on the Ballyholme Road. He eventually became an elected Councillor and JP.

On the outbreak of war John enlisted in Belfast with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.  He was working in a dressing station when it took a direct hit from a shell and most of the medical staff and patients were killed.

The loss made a great impact on the family and they placed a memorial notice iin the paper every year for over 40 years.

When his father James died in November 1954, his will recorded a bequest to Bangor Hospital for "the balance, if any be due, of £100 promised by me to name a bed in memory of my son, John Graham Savage."

John’s older brother Alexander was a Sergeant in the Royal Irish Rifles.

Roll of Honour—In Memoriam
SAVAGE – In loving remembrance of John Graham Savage, killed in action, August, 1917. — Mount Herald, Bangor.

Belfast Newsletter, 17 August 1954.

JORDAN, Robert

Robert is commemorated on the Memorial
in Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor

Private, 'D' Coy., 4th Batt., Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Served as Robert Rogers Gordon
Service No: 1361
Died: Between 06/08/1915 and 09/08/1915
Age: 35

Remembered on Lone Pine Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Robert was born on 16 August 1880 at 77 Lepper Street, Belfast, to John Jordan, a sailor, and Jane Jordan nee Barron. (Note: His birth record gives his mothers surname as Barnes but Barron on others. This is confirmed on other records.)

After school Robert took to the sea like his father.

In 1907 he married Mary Ann Tanner in Helen's Bay Presbyterian Church – both are recorded as living in Groomsport at the time.

Robert and Mary moved to Beatrice Road in Bangor and had four children: William (1907); Agnes Jane (1908); Robert (1910); and Gladys Eveline (1913). However, they were to lose Gladys in 1914 at only 9 months old.

Robert had been working in Australia for about a year on the outbreak of war and enlisted on the 3 December 1914. He signed his attestation papers on 5 February 1915 in Liverpool, New South Wales, and posted to the 4th Battalion on 30 March 1915. On his attestation papers he recorded that he had previously served in the Inniskilling Fusiliers for a period of six months before being bought out.

On the 1 May 1915 he was received gun shot wounds to his right shoulder and chest and was sent to Alexandria. He was discharged from hospital there on 21 May and returned to his battalion in Gallipoli on 1 June 1915.

He was reported as killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula sometime between the 6 and 8 August 1915.

In a letter to his wife, the company officer said – "I write to give you the sympathy of his comrades and my own in the sad loss of your husband, and to let you know that during all the hard fighting he did his duty nobly and bravely, as all the Australians have done. You have reason to be proud of him, and this should be a comfort to you and your family in your loss. I should have written before, but have myself been wounded in the same attack and sent to England."

TAYLOR, William Edward

Sapper, 63rd Field Coy., Royal Engineers
Service No: 143626
Died: 13/10/1916
Age: 31

Remembered on Thiepval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

William is listed on the Roll of Honour of
Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church

William Taylor was born on 14 June 1885 at Glencraig, Craigavad. He was the son of Samuel Taylor, an agricultural labourer who gave his occupation as Land Steward at that time, and his wife Margaret Taylor nee Childs, and the the youngest of their eight children.

On leaving school William became an agricultural labourer working with his father but by the time of the 1911 census he had become a carpenter.

William enlisted on the 6th December 1915 and transferred from the reserve battalion for active service on 12 February 1916. He was transferred to the BEF in July 1916 and joined the 63rd Field Company on 2 August 1916.

Sadly, his service did not last long and he was killed in Action on 13 October 1916.

William is also commemorated on the Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour and in Ballyrobert Orange Hall where he was a member of LOL No. 1920.