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