4372 Pte Charles W Blampied, 7th Bn, Royal Irish Rifles

4372 Private Charles William Blampied of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, died at home on the 23rd July 1915. He was born in Jersey and living at St Helier when he enlisted. He was one of several members of the Jersey Company of the Royal Irish Rifles and originally joined in late February or early March 1915. He is buried in the Ballyhooly (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

18125 Rfm Edward McAvoy, 13th Bn, Royal Irish Rifles

18125 Rifleman Edward McAvoy of the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds on the 12th July 1916. He was one of 740 British Army officers and men to die on this date.

Edward was born in Newtownards, County Down and enlisted there in September 1914. His number pre-dates the individual number series which were later adopted by the service and reserve battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles. He arrived overseas on the 6th October 1915 and he si buried in Etaples Militalry Cemetery.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC, WO 363)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

9010 Rfm James Dolan, 2nd Bn, Royal Irish Rifles

9010 Rifleman James Dolan of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 20th May 1916. He was born in Shankhill, County Antrim, and enlisted in Belfast.

James arrived overseas on the 14th October 1914 and it seems likely therefore, that he was a regular soldier, his number dating to April or May 1908. He could also, conceivably, have been a Special Reservist with the 3rd Battalion - the number dating to August 1914.

James Dolan is buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery at Mont St Eloi, France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

12440 Rfm Samuel Stewart, 15th Bn, Royal Irish Rifles

12440 Rifleman Samuel Stewart of the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 10th January 1917.

According to Soldiers Died in The Great War, Samuel was born in Ballymena, County Antrim and enlisted at Belfast. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds that he was the son of Matthew and Catherine Stewart, of Ballymena, County Antrim, and the husband of Annie Stewart of 3 Lower Urney Street, Belfast.

Samuel's medal index card notes his number as 15/12440 which in turn dates his enlistment with the Royal Irish Rifles to September 1914. He arrived in France on 5th October 1915. He is buried in St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery in Belgium.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War