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