War of Independence

British Soldiers Killed

The Irish War of Independence began on the 21st of January 1919 and ended with a truce on the 11th of July 1921.

So far we have found the names of 205 British Soldiers who died in Ireland during the War of Independence and the following Truce.

  • 176 Killed in Action
  • 17 After the Truce
  • 8 Accidentally
  • 4 by suicide

07/09/1919 Cork

Private William Jones 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. From Carmarthen Wales was killed outside the Wesleyan Church Fermoy County Cork on Sunday morning. He is buried commemorated at Brookwood Military Cemetery, London. At 10.35 a group of 15 soldiers marched to the Wesleyan Church in Fermoy. They were carrying rifles at the trail. Just outside the church they were rushed by a group of men brandishing revolvers and wooden cudgels. The attackers appear to have fired without warning or reason, and Jones fell dead, with another soldier, Private Lloyd, badly wounded. The attackers then gathered up the soldiers rifles and made off by car.

 07/12/1919

Whitehead Arthur, 56166, Private, Welsh Regiment. Aged 30. Son of George and Harriett Whitehead, of 313, Lower Rd., Deptford, London. One of three brothers who served. Born at Bermondsey.

28/12/1919

Boast Frederick, Second Lieutenant 2nd Bn. South Lancashire Regiment aged 20. Frederick Boast was shot in the Phoenix Park Dublin on Sunday the 28th of December 1919 when as officer in charge of the guard at the Viceregal Lodge he herd shots coming from the direction of the park. When he went, with four other soldiers, to investigate he challenged a civilian who refused to stop. A struggle ensued in which Boast was shot, the civilian was wounded but again fired at the soldiers when an ambulance arrived, the soldiers returned fire killing the civilian. Boast was Son of Maj. Sydney Thomas Boast, M.C., D.C.M., (2nd Bn. South Lancashire Regt.) and Ellen Boast, of "Arano," Birtles Rd., Orford, Warrington. Served on the Western Front with his Bn. and returned to U.K. with Cadre.

Cork 29/02/1920

Newman William H. 123987, Private 51st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Aged 19. Died as a result of bullet wounds to the neck received when he with four of his comrades were ambushed at Rushbrooke Queenstown County Cork. He was the Son of Alfred Newman, of 6, Arrow Terrace, Fisher Gate, Nottingham.

Dublin 24/03/1920

Molloy Bryan Fergus, ES/59087. Private  1st Supply Coy. Royal Army Service Corps Shot dead at the corner of Wicklow Street and South William Street, Dublin City, witnesses at the inquest said the man had been followed by a number of men before the shooting, the man was wearing civilian clothes. Molloy was a Clerk at Royal Barracks and was unarmed when shot. The inquest also heard no relatives of the dead man were present at his funeral.

Clare 21/04/1920

Sibthorpe Thomas B. 75242 Private  " D " Coy. 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry. Aged 20. An inquest into his death returned a verdict of suicide.

Limerick 27/04/1920

Quinn Francis  H. 24698 Private  2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers Died in an affray between soldiers and local youth at the Cattle Yard of O’Connell Avenue Limerick

Limerick 11/06/1920

Constable Cyril, 189359. Lance Corporal  1st Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Died from wounds received at Holycross Limerick on Friday 11th of June when the military went to the aid of an RIC officer and men who had been ambushed.

Cork 20/07/1920

In an ambush on the 20th of July 1920 while driving from Macroom to Ballyvourney County Cork several soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment were seriously injured, two soldiers later died from wounds received. They were:

  • Barlow E F 64159 Private 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment aged 26 Died on the 01/08/1920 Son of Mrs. Eliza Ann Barlow, of 19, Lois St., Shaw. Airy (Airey)
  • James Oswald - Captain1st Bn. Manchester Regiment aged 36 died on the 21/07/1920 Husband of Gladys Maud Airy, of 8, Cleveland Rd., Ealing, London.

Cork 27/07/1920

Maddox T. 52203. Lance Corporal  Essex Regiment. On Tuesday the 27th of July the body of Lance-Corporal Maddox was found in a field near Bandon County Cork. There were many mysterious circumstances surrounding the death, his body was removed to England for burial before an inquest could be conducted. The body was found with a shotgun by his side and a revolver in his pocket, there was also evidence that his pockets had been searched. Many rumours circulated including that Maddox was executed as a spy by the I.R.A., considering the value of weapons to the I.R.A. it is unlikely had they executed Maddox they would have left a shotgun and revolver on the body. On Wednesday a curfew was in force in Bandon from 9pm to 3am. At the request of the Very Reverend Canon Cohalan members of the Soldiers and Sailors Federation, by arrangement with the military, patrolled the streets of Bandon, public houses were closed at 9pm. Maddox was buried in Chiswick Old Cemetery, Middlesex, UK.

Tipperary 30/07/1920

On the 30th of July 1920 two soldiers were killed in an ambush on the Tipperary side of Oola. The soldiers were travelling in a Crossley Tender which also carried the recently escaped from IRA custody General Lucas. It was thought that the ambush was set up to either recapture General Lucas or kill him but recent research has proved that the ambush was set up to capture the Military Mail which was also in the Crossley Tender at the time.

  • Bayliss Daniel Verey, 27862, Private, 1st Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry  Aged 18. Son of William Verey Bayliss and Minnie Bayliss, of 8, Randolph St., Cowley Rd., Oxford.
  • Parker G.B. 47297, Lance Corporal 1st Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Aged 20. Son of Owen and Daisy Parker, of 24, Park St., High Wycombe.

Dublin 20/09/1920

The following soldiers died as a result of an IRA ambush on a party of soldiers collecting the days bread ration from a bakery. The attack took place on Church Street Dublin. One of the IRA men, Kevin Barry, was arrested and later executed for his part in the ambush. Barry was 18 years old when he was executed.

  • Washington H. 4603001, Private  2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Aged 15
  • Whitehead Marshall, 4603629, Private  2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Aged 20 Only son of Alice Whitehead, of 4, Hope St., Halifax, and the late Harry Whitehead.
  • Humphries T. 460264  Private  Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Aged 19. Son of Sarah Ann Plester (formerly Humphries), of 140 Coates St., West Bowling, Bradford, and the late William Humphries.

08/10/1620

Squibb  Gordon John, 5487222. Private  2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Squibb, of Wroxall Farm Cottage, Wroxall, Isle of Wight.

Mallow Cork 28/09/1920

Gibbs W G, 312181  Serjeant, 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Sergeant Gibbs was the senior NCO left in charge of Mallow Barracks County Cork after most of the detachment of the 17th Lancers had left the barracks to exercise their horses. The local I.R.A. unit aided by Ernie O’Malley liaison officer from Dublin raided the barracks. As Gibbs ran towards the guard room to get a rifle three shorts rang out and Gibbs fell mortally wounded. After setting fire to the barracks the I.R.A. left with a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

Percival Ambush Cork 09/09/1920

Men from Cork No. 3 Brigade, IRA, commanded by Sean Hales, OC Bandon battalion; ambushed Major Percival along with two officers and twelve men from the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment. The British, 3 officers and 20 men, were traveling in two Crossley tenders near Newcestown Cross, Co Cork at 22.55 on Oct 9. The 3 officers were Major Percival, Lt Robertson and Lt Richardson. Other men on the patrol were CSM Benton, Pte Wooton. The patrol had completed a search of the local public house, a suspected IRA ‘haunt’ and had just sent off for a second objective, Castletown, were other searches were planned. The lorries had traveled no more than 400 hundred yards when they came under attack. Percival was in charge of the first lorry, and Robertson in charge of the second. They were fired on from the left side of the road. The lorries stopped about 200 yards apart and engaged the enemy. The action was fought in pitch darkness and lasted about half an hour. Percival and Robertson met on the road half way between the lorries after the firing had being going on around 30 minutes. Percival gave Robertson orders and they returned to their respective lorries. Soon after this Percival heard that Robertson had been hit. Robertson was then taken back to Bandon, and from there to Cork Mil Hospital. In the attack two officers were killed (Lt. R.D.F. Robertson and Lt. Richardson, Wireless Officer, RAF) and four others were wounded. For gallantry shown that night Major Percival was awarded the OBE and CSM Benton the MBE, Private Wooton was awarded the Medal of the British Empire. These were amongst the first gazetted awards for the Anglo-Irish War 1919-22; it was the Secretary of State, Winston Churchill who stated, “Why because they are shot down by Irish rebels and not by Mesopotamian rebels, should they be excluded from consideration”

  • Richardson Gurth Alwyn, Flight Lieutenant Royal Air ForceKilled when ambushed in Bandon County Cork
  • Robertson Robert Douglas Finch, Lieutenant, 1st Battalion Essex Regiment. Aged 25. Winner of the Military Cross, died on the 12/10/1920 from wounds received in the same ambush as Richardson. Born September1895 Syresham, Northamptonshire

11/10/1920

Cowin E.W. EMT/44943. Private 1155th M.T. Coy. (Cork) Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 28. Born at Crosby. Son of Elizabeth Margaret Cowin, of 10, Murrays Rd., Douglas, and the late James Daniel Cowin.

Dublin 12/10/1920

Smyth George Osbert Stirling, Brevet Major, Royal Field Artillery Awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross.

White Alfred Philip. Captain East Surrey Regiment Awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

The above two soldiers were killed in an ambush when with a group of soldiers they went to the house of Professor Carolan in Fernside Drumcondra Dublin. While searching the house the group were ambushed, it is believe by Sean Treacy and Dan Breen. Both men were members of what became know as ‘The Cairo Gang’.

22/10/1920

On the 22nd of October 1920 three British Soldiers were killed in an IRA ambush which happened at Toureen near Ballinhassig Bandon County Cork. It was one of the first large scale ambushes carried out by the IRA led by Tom Barry and Liam Deasy. A mine intended to be detonated under the first truck failed to explode, the ambush party, numbering about thirty opened fire on the second truck, during the ensuing battle three British Soldiers died, they were:

Dixon Lieutenant William Alfred MC, 2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment Attached 1st Battalion Essex Regiment. He enlisted in 1905 and had served throughout WW1. He was wounded in the first battle of Ypres, served for three years at Salonika and also served with the Russian Expeditionary Force.

Reid Charles William 5998619 Private 1st Bn. Essex Regiment. Died 22/10/1920. Son of Mr. W. C. Reid, of 42, Grant St., Battersea, London. Born in Twickenham in 1902. His is buried at Wandsworth Cemetery.

Bennett Thomas Arthur Serjeant Royal Army Service Corps. Died on the 23rd of October from wounds received in the ambush. He was the son of Mr. C. Bennett, of Dairy Cottage, Shorne, Gravesend and is buried at Shorne Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church Kent. Born in 1894 he enlisted in the army in 1913.


27/10/1920

Captain Alan C Lendrum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was resident magistrate in Doonbeg County Clare his car was ambushed by four I.R.A. Volunteers who intended taking Lendrum’s car and any guns he had with him. The ambush went wrong and Lendrum was shot and wounded, the I.R.A. Volunteers then shot and killed the wounded Captain. The story was told and repeated in all the national papers at the time that the I.R.A. Volunteers had not shot Lendrum but had buried him up to his neck on a local beach at low tide and attempted to kill him by drowning, the first attempt failed so the I.R.A. Volunteers dug him up and buried him nearer the sea. The story was untrue, the inquest and Landrum’s death certificate found he had died of gunshot wounds. This story of the drowning is repeated in The Black and Tans by Richard Bennett. Lendrum was the Son of George and Netta Lendrum, of Corkil, Kilskeery and had received the Military Cross for his services in WW1, he was 34 years old when he died. He is buried in Kilskerry Church of Ireland churchyard.

Thomastown Ambush 28/10/1920

A group of Northamptonshire Regiment and Royal Engineers were on the way from Templemore to the rifle range at Tipperary Town when they were ambushed. Their military lorry was attacked about 10am between Kilfeakle and Thomastown. The IRA were expecting an RIC tender but the soldiers (from the Northamptonshire Regiment came unexpectedly. 3 men were killed and 6 wounded.

  • Crummey T. 5875693, Private  1st. Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment Buried, Tipperary (Saint Michael’s) New Cemetery. Died in Thomastown Ambush. He was a Catholic and a native of Nenagh. He is listed on the 1911 Census as living in Nenagh Workhouse with his mother Kate aged 30 (single) and sister Mary Ann aged 4. Born 1903 in Newport, Tipperary. Enlisted between August 1919 and May 1920.
  • Short F. A. 5876915, Private  1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment. Born 1902 Kettering UK. 
  • Hobbs William Henry 1852907, Lance Corporal  Est. for Engr. Services, C.R.E. (Cork) Royal Engineers. Aged 22, Son of Samuel George Hobbs, of III, Gordon Rd., Gillingham, and the late Kate Hobbs.

01/11/1920

Leigh A. 5485478, Private  2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment

05/11/1920

King William George 5485574. Private  2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment

01/11/1920

Rutherford David Alfred. Lieutenant, 115th Siege Bty. 7th Bde. Royal Garrison Artillery. Aged 22. Winner of the Military Cross and Bar. Son of David Carter Rutherford and Charlotte Ann Rutherford, of Powis Court, Bushey Heath, Herts.

01/11/1920

Brown Bernard Loftus,  Lieutenant 26th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery. Aged 24. While serving as adjutant at Fermoy he was abducted by ‘Sinn Feiners’ while travelling to Killarney by motorcycle on the 29th of October, his body was found on the 1st of November 1921. Son of Albert Loftus Brown and Mabel Kathleen Brown, of "Holme," Chatsworth Rd., West Norwood, London. Educated at Dulwich College (O.T.C.) and Royal Military Academy (Woolwich), March, 1915.

04/11/1920

Hambleton Henry James. Captain1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment

15/11/1920

The following three officers were taken from the Cork to Bandon train at Waterfall and executed by the IRA.

  • Chambers Stewart, Captain. The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Aged 29. Son of Mrs. Marion Chambers, of 13, Smith Quadrant Cliftonville, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
  • Watts W. Spalding, Lieutenant, 33rd Company Royal Engineers
  • Green   M. H. W. Captain 3rd Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment Abducted and killed at the same time as the two above, not recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves site.

Clare 18/11/1920

Spackman A W 5373641 Private  15th Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry On 18th November 1920, after an aeroplane had made a forced landing near Punches Quarry at Cratloe in County Clare, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were asked to protect the machine during the night, and a platoon from "C" Company, 1st Battalion was, accordingly, sent out under 2nd Lieutenant M.H.Last. When the party reached Cratloe they set up camp near the aircraft and built themselves a large fire, unaware that a party of IRA men had decided to raid the site to see if they could capture the aeroplane's machine gun. (It seems that, according to the IRA, there were no sentries).

The attackers, led by Joe Clancy of the East Clare brigade, opened fire on the soldiers from an elevated position at about 17.30 hrs, 5373641 Private Alfred Spackman being killed, while 5373574 Private Maurice Robins was severely wounded, he died form his wounds on the 2nd of March 1921 (see below). Private Spackman, who had enlisted in the Regiment in April 1920, was the son of Mrs Spackman of Twyford in Berkshire. (Information Stanley Jenkins, Great War Forum.)

20/11/1920

Thompson J T. Captain 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment Thompson’s body was found in a turnip field  near Bishopstown County Cork. The farmer who owned the field reported to the police that the body was lying in his field. On investigation it was found that the body was lying face down, when the body was turned over it was found that Thompson was blind-folded with a handkerchief, a revolver bullet was found under the body and it was reported that Thompson’s wrist watch had stopped at 8.50.

Bloody Sunday Dublin 21/11/1920

The following are the names of British Soldiers killed by IRA Volunteers on the 21st of November, a day which became know as Bloody Sunday when a hit squad organized by Michael Collins shot dead several British Soldiers suspected of gathering intelligence which was to be used against the IRA.

  • Ames Peter Ashmun   Lieutenant Grenadier Guards.
  • Dowling  Charles Milne Cholmeley Major Grenadier Guards.
  • MacLean Donald Lewis Lieutenant General List. Aged 31. Former service with the Rifle Brigade.
  • Newberry William Frederick. Captain 4th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Aged 45. Son of the late W. C. and Myra Newberry, of Exmouth; husband of the late E. J. Newberry.
  • Baggallay Geoffrey Thomas. Captain Reserve of Officers.
  • Price L. Captain General List
  • Bennett G. Lieutenant. Special List and Royal Army Service Corps
  • Montgomery Hugh FergusonBrevet Lieut-Colonel Royal Marine Light Infantry. Aged 40. Died on the 10/12/1920 from wounds received, he was at 28 Upper Pembroke Street when attacked. Was awarded the Order of St. Michael and St. George, companion (C.M.G.) and the Distinguished Service Order, mentioned in dispatched six times. He was the Son of Rev.F.J.Montgomery and Mrs Montgomery, Halse Rectory, Taunton.
  • Angliss  Henry James  Lieutenant Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Aged 27. Winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Son of Henry Angliss, of Enniskillen; husband of Ellen Angliss, of 295, Cannhall Rd., Leytonstone, London.

In the trial of three IRA Volunteers accused of the Bloody Sunday murders at Lower Mount Street the three were accused on murdering Lieutenant H Angliss, Lieutenant Angliss had been staying at 22 Lower Mount Street under the name of Mr. McMahon with another officer identified at the trial as Mr. B, the IRA Volunteers had also tried to shoot Mr. B but failed after a neighbour alerted some passing Auxiliary Police who fired on the Volunteers capturing one. The three were tried under Field General Court-Martial in January 1921.

Patrick McCormack

Patrick McCormack, described as ex-Captain, although it is unclear when he actually left the Army, was one of the victims of the Bloody Sunday assignations in Dublin on 21 of November 1920. He was shot by Squad members led by Patrick Moran in the Gresham Hotel.  McCormack had been a member of the British Army Veterinary Corps and was, at the time of his death, in Ireland to purchase horses to take back to Egypt.

Patrick McCormack’s mother wrote to Michael Collins several times after her sons death requesting answers as to why her son was killed by the I.R.A. as he was no longer in the British Army and was in Ireland on business connected with his employment and was not connected with any of the British intelligence agencies operating in Ireland at the time. Patrick McCormack’s mother was a cousin of Michael Davitt and sister-in-law of Dr. McCormack the Bishop of Galway and had also taken an active part in the Land League.

In his reply to Mrs. McCormack’s letter Collins claimed that her son was targeted by the Squad because they believed he was a British Army Officer and that the list of targets had been drawn up by the I.R.A. Dublin Brigade and the I.R.A. Intelligence Unit and her son’s name had been added to the list by the Dublin Brigade rather than the Intelligence Unit. Collins would appear to have been trying to make a distinction between the Dublin Brigade and the Intelligence Unit implying that the Dublin Brigade had added ‘ordinary’ officers to the list while the Intelligence Unit added targets connected with British Intelligence.

The list of Bloody Sunday targets was checked by several I.R.A. officers to verify the targets were genuine British agents. Cathal Brugha and Frank Thornton were among the senior officers to check and confirm the targets were all legitimate. It would appear from the reply Collins made to McCormack’s mother Collins was trying to shift the blame for McCormack’s death on to the Dublin Brigade bearing in mind that Brigadier Dick McKee Officer Commanding Dublin Brigade, Vice-Brigadier Peadar Clancy Dublin Brigade and Patrick Moran Commander of the Gresham Hotel hit squad were all dead at this time.

The I.R.A. had a plan to infect British Army horses with Glanders (an infectious disease which spreads rapidly and can cause death within days). It would appear the I.R.A. believed McCormack was in Ireland on behalf of British Intelligence to asses and counteract the treat of such use of this disease against British Army horses. McCormack was also reported to have used the name Captain McCormack, as is common with many ex-British Army Officers, when registering as the Hotel, the I.R.A. would not have had access to his Army records so would not have been aware he had left the British Army.

There are also some unexplained aspects relating to Patrick McCormack’s stay in Ireland just before his death. Why was he staying at the Gresham Hotel when his mother lived at number 3 Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, McCormack’s wife and child were also in Ireland at the time. Sir Mark Sturgis, a senior administrator at Dublin Castle, recorded in his diary on the 21st of November 1920 ‘Two Secret Service men were assassinated in the Gresham Hotel’.

17/12/1920

Minchin Joseph 4794312 Private  1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment His surname is misspelled on the CWGC website as Mincham.

Cork 17/12/1920

Ellis Leonard 4793006 Serjeant 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Aged 27. Son of Mr. J. E. Ellis, of 3, Frederick St., Monks Rd., Lincoln. killed in action on 17 December 1920 when mail cars were ambushed near Mitchelstown County Cork, buried LINCOLN (ST. SWITHIN'S) CEMETERY.

13/01/1921

On Thursday the 13th of January 4026893 Private George Charles Payne King’s Shropshire Light Infantry was killed at Hunston House Birr King’s County (County Offaly). There is no record of the circumstance of his death. The only record of action involving the KSLI at Hunston House is a brief account of 2nd Battalion KSLI in Ireland after the war by Lt. Col. Hulton Harrop (then 2/Lt.) relates that a detachment of 2nd KSLI was sent to Hunston House to prevent it being burned down. Hunston House may have been the home of Colonel Head, RA and hence a target.

 "This detachment suffered a typical Irish ambush. They (the 2nd KSLI) had a Patrol out on bicycles, about half a dozen strong; as they cycled past a stone wall the ambushers popped up from behind it. The patrol had no alternative but to surrender their rifles. Not a popular incident!"

Payne was 18 years old when he was killed, his attestation papers state that he enlisted on the 4th of May 1920 for 12 years (9/3) in Hereford, that he was a "general labourer", born in Long Hope, Gloucs, and his next of kin (father) was Mr. G. Payne of Chesgrove, Long Hope. He was "Discharged dead" on 13.1.21 from a gunshot wound inflicted at Hunston House, Belmont. He is buried in Longhope (All Saints) Churchyard and was the son of George and Helen Payne, of Chessgrove, Longhope.

24/01/1921

A Serjeant and a private of the Lincolnshire Regiment where killed while travelling through Glengoole County Tipperary a mixed party of military and police were ambushed. The ambush happened as the party approached Glengoole at a sharp turn where the road is skirted by a low line of rocky hills providing ideal cover for an ambush.  Serjeant Brackenbury was killed in the first volley of withering fire directed at the lorry in which they were travelling. The lorry had been commandeered earlier that day in Killenaule outside the local creamery, the driver, Mr Brennan was compelled to drive the Crown Forces who took a circular route through the villages of Commons and Lickifin.

  • Brackenbury M 4792757 Serjeant 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Aged 26. Buried in Trimbleby (St. Margaret) Churchyard, Lincolnshire, UK
  • Staves Harold 4793670 Private  No. 4 Coy. 1st Bn. Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Aged 21. Son of James and Mary Staves, of 194, St. Catherine’s Grove, Lincoln. Buried in Wellingore (All Saints) Churchyard Lincolnshire, UK.

Clare 22/02/1921

The following three soldiers were found shot dead near Woodford on the Clare Galway border. A note found around the neck of one of the soldiers with the words Spies tried by Court-Martial and found guilty, all others beware.

  • Walker W. S. 5374675 Private 1st Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
  • Williams David John 5373002 Private 1st Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
  • MullettThomas Leonard 5374617 Private"B" Coy. Bucks Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Aged 31. Served as H. Morgan. Son of Edward Mullett, of 11, Mile End Rd., Colchester.

 

Cork 23/02/1921

The following two soldiers were executed by IRA Volunteers on the evening of the 23rd of February 1921 on the Ballincen Road Bandon County Cork, they were pick-up along with another soldier and two civilians after questioning the two were removed from the group and shot. The other soldier in the group was given a letter to be delivered to the Commanding Officer of the Essex Regiment. The letter contained the following Recently several members of our Army have been brutally murdered by British forces, in particular by members of the Essex Regiment, and we take this opportunity of showing how to deal, and shall continue to deal, with such murderers. We hope this will be a warning in future. – IRA.

  • Stubbs Herbert Leslie. 5999140. Lance Corporal1st Bn. Essex Regiment
  • Knight   J. A. 5999062. Private  1st Bn. Essex Regiment

 Cork 28/02/1921

Whitear Albert Edward. Bandsman, 2nd Hampshire Regiment Died from wounds received in an attack in Cork. Whitear is not commemorated on the CWGC Roll of Honour, his name has been accepted and will be added shortly

Cork 28/02/1921

The following five British Soldiers were killed on the streets of Cork on the night of the Monday the 28th of February 1921. The deaths took place after the execution of six IRA Volunteers that morning


  • Wise Thomas. 19097, Private  Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 30.
  • Hodnett L. DM/16638. Corporal. Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 20. Son of John Hodnett, of 125, Well Hall Rd., Kent.
  • Gill William Alfred A5485999 Private  2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Aged 20
  • Bowden G. H. Signaller, 6th Div Sig. Co. Royal Engineers. Aged 20
  • Beattie J. Lance-Corporal2nd Hants. Aged 24. Came from Plymouth


Clare 02/03/1921

Robins M. F5373574. Private 1st Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Died from wounds received when Ambushed in County Clare on the 18th of November 1920

Leitrim 04/03/1921

Wilson E. C. Second Lieutenant. 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment Died on Sunday 5th of March from wounds received in an ambush at Sheepnore near Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday.

Cork-Kerry 05/03/1921

H R Cumming DSO was travelling in a convoy of three tenders of the East Lancashire Regiment when he was killed in an ambush between Killarney and Buttervant, killed in the same ambush were another officers and two other ranks.

  • Cumming Hanway Robert Brigadier General General Staff Commands and Staff . Aged 53. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Previous service formerly Commanding Durham Light Infantry. Officer of the Legion of Honour. Served in the South African War.
  • Maligny H. A. Lieutenant Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 40. He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Emile Maligny, of Croydon; husband of Edith Hilda Maligny, of 56, Southville Rd., Bedford.
  • Turner H. 3378394 Private 2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
  • Walker  William 3379257 Private  2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment

08/03/1921

BrigdenWilliam Joseph 5999515 Corporal 1st Bn. Essex Regiment

Dublin 15/03/1921

De Orfe Frederick 2308636 Signalman Royal Engineers Shot and mortally wounded while crossing Rialto Bridge in Dublin, he had been delivering dispatches to Kingstown and was killed on his return journey. Son of Frederick Charles and Juliette De Orfe, of 62, Winchester Road, Shirley, Southampton. Born at Shirley.

19/03/1921

Thomas G Private  1st Bn South Lancashire Regiment

Cork 19/03/1921

The following Soldiers were Killed in Action Crossbarry County Cork on Saturday the 19th of March 1921

  • Crafer Joseph Thomas 5999398 Private 1st Bn. Essex Regiment
  • Gray William Alfred M/16554(M/53359) Private  1155th M.T. Coy.  Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 19. Son of William Robert Gray, of 113, Littlefield Rd., Burnt Oak, Edgware, Middx.
  • Steward S. W. 5998205 Private  1st Bn. Essex Regiment
  • Watts Edward 5998138 Serjeant 1st Battalion Essex Regiment
  • Wilkins William 5998204 Private  1st Bn. Essex Regiment
  • Cawley Sidney Robert   5999664 Private  1st Bn. Essex Regiment. Aged 20. His father, an Iron and Steel erector from Chelmsford Essex identified the body. S R Cawley was unmarried and was gravely wounded by enemy fire while on patrol duty in the Crossbarry area of County Cork when his patrol came under fire form a party of about twenty Rebels, he was treated for his wounds at the scene but died the next morning in Hospital.
  • Hotblack G. T. Second Lieutenant Essex Regiment. Died 22/03/1921.

The following two soldiers are recorded as having died in or as a result of wounds received in the Crossbarry attack, their names are not recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves site.

  • Baker H. Driver    Royal Army Service Corps attached 1st Essex Regiment
  • Martin  C. J. Private Royal Army Service Corps attached 1st Essex Regiment

Kerry 21/03/1921

Adams  C E Lieutenant 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Aged 30. Died from wounds when ambushed while travelling in a train which was ambushed at Headford County Kerry. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Greenwood Charles Rupert  6446547 Corporal 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers Corporal Greenwood died the day after the ambush from wounds received during the attack.

Brundish G 6446503 Serjeant 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Aged 31

Chandler Edward Albert 6449781 Lance Corporal  1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers

George A. 6446510 Private  1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers Buried in Killarney New Cemetery, County Kerry, Ireland.

West Frederick George 6446447 Private  1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers

Woods Frank Edward 6446536 Private  1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers

Young G. E. L. 6453611 Private. 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers

21/03/1921

Whiting B. J. 3645917 Private. South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). Aged 26. Son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Whiting, of Caerau, Bridgend, Glam.; husband of Rachel Mary Whiting, of 10, Greenfield Terrace, Argoed, Mon.

Roscommon 23/03/1921

On Wednesday the 23rd of March 1921 three Soldiers were killed in an ambush at Scramogue near Strokestown County Roscommon. They were part of a joint R.I.C. and Military patrol, one R.I.C. man died three days later from wounds received in the ambush and three Black and Tans taken prisoner were later shot by the I.R.A. The initial burst of fire from the ambushers killed the driver bringing the lorry to a halt. Captain Peek was wounded in the initial burst of fire and after making it 400 yards down the road he was hit again and killed. Lieutenant Tennant was killed by a shotgun blast. The rest of the patrol was captured. The ambushers captured a Hotchkiss Machine Gun which had been mounted on the lorry.

  • Peek Roger Grenville Captain 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers Husband of Joan Peek, of Hazlewood, Loddiswell. Buried at Loddiswell (St. Michael) Churchyard, Devon, UK.
  • Tennant John Harold Anthony Lieutenant 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers. Aged 21. Son of Fred W. and Agnes Fraser Tennant, of Spofforth Grange, Harrogate. Buried at Spofforth (All Saints) Churchyard, Yorkshire, UK.
  • Keenan John Driver Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 21.

26/03/1921

On the 26th of March 1921 340790 Aircraftman 2nd Class Alfred Walter Browning 100th Squadron RAF Aged 19 died at the King George V Hospital Dublin from wounds received during an attach on Parnell Street and O’ Connell Street Dublin when a tram car he was a passenger in was fired on.

29/03/1921

Lees Cecil Harcourt Folder Captain General List. Aged 45. Shot dead outside St. Andrew’s Hotel Exchequer Street Dublin by the I.R.A. in the belief he was a member of the British Secret Service gather intelligence. Husband of J K Lees, of Natal, South Africa.

07/04/1921

Weldon Eugene Benjamin Thomas 4850605 Lance Corporal  1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Lance-Corporal Weldon was shot when ambushed in the street in Castlerea County Roscommon. The shooting happened within a few minutes of Curfew no further details were available as no witnesses were about. A woman, Mrs McDonagh was killed by a stray bullet and a man Peter Noone was seriously injured.

Cork 26/04/1921

Fielding Norman Thornton 3379143 Private  2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment. Aged 19. Son of James and Elizabeth Fielding, of 478, Audley Range, Blackburn. He was found shot dead on the Churchtown Road in County Cork, he had been shot three times.

Cork 30/04/1921

Compton-Smith Geoffrey Lee. Major 2nd Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Aged 31. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur. Son of William Compton-Smith, of Richmond, Surrey; husband of Gladys Mary Peterson (formerly Compton-Smith, nee Lloyd).

Major Compton-Smith was abducted while on a Sketching trip in Cork County on the 16th of April. He was Commandant of Ballyvonare camp near Buttevant. His captors allowed him send two letters before he was executed. The first letter was to his wife and read as follows

My own darling wife – I am to be shot in an hours time. Dearest your humbly will die with your name on his lips your face before my eyes and he will die like an Englishman and a Soldier…I leave my watch to the officer who is executing me, because I believe him to be a Gentleman, and to mark the fact that I bear him no malice for carrying out what he believes to be his duty.

The second letter he sent was to his Regiment and read

Dear Royal Welsh Fusiliers, - I am to be shot in an hour’s time. I should ask you fellows to know that the sentence has been passed on me (two lines erased here) and that I intend to die like a Welsh Fusilier, with a laugh and forgiveness for those who are carrying out the deed. I should like my death to lessen rather than increase the bitterness which exists between England and Ireland. I have been treated with great kindness, and during my captivity have learned to regard the Sinn Feiners rather as mistaken idealists than as a murder gang. My cigarette case I leave to the mess. I carried it with the Regiment throughout the War, and shall die with it in my pocket. God bless you all comrades.

Irish Times List

The following names appeared in the Irish Times causality list on the 12/05/1921, the list only includes those who are not listed elsewhere on this page.


  • Woods  Frank Edward, 6446536 Private 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Died 21/03/1921
  • George A. 6446510. Private 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Died 21/03/1921
  • Hale Frederick James. 6909383. Rifleman 3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade. Aged 17. Died 23/03/1920. Son of William Alfred and Louisa Ellen Hale, of 20, Rugby Gardens, South Ashford.


Kerry 10/04/1921

Private George Motley, 3379056, the East Lancashire Regiment went missing on the 10th of April 1921. He was taken from a public house in Hedford County Kerry and shot dead. His body was buried in a local bog where it remained until early 1927 when it was recovered and returned to his home town in Yorkshire for burial. Motley was 20 years old at the time of his death.

16/04/1921

Rew Sydney Thomas. 12002, Serjeant, Royal Scots.

On the night of the 16th of April 1921 at about 10pm Serjeant Rew along with and R.I.C. Constable and some local civilians were drinking in O’Shaughnessy’s Public House when a Mills grenade was thrown into the Pub. Rew was killed instantly and the R.I.C. constable and two women, one the daughter of the pub owner, were injured. O’Shaughnessy’s was a well know local pub and the I.R.A. claimed the landlord had been warned that the pub would be attacked if he persisted in welcoming British Soldiers and Police.

Cork 14/05/1921

The following three soldiers were shot dead and another wounded when ambushed by a large group of Rebels Rosmacowen on the Beara Peninsula County Cork. The soldiers were of duty and unarmed at the time. It is reported that a group of three local girls had invited the soldiers to walk to a local waterfall with them, the girls disappeared just before the Rebels arrived.


  • Hunter  John Alexander 3180263. Private  2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
  • McMillan R. 3180640, Private  2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers   Aged 19. Son of Robert and Susan Hannah McMillan, of 5, Baronflat St., Rutherglen. Born at Rutherglen.
  • Chalmers D. 3180441, Private  2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers   Aged 21. Son of Mrs. A. Chalmers, of 45, Staunton St., Deptford, London.


Galway 15/05/1921

The following two officers were shot dead while having a tennis party at Ballyturn House County Galway, also shot dead in the same incident were Captain and District Inspector C E M Blake RIC and his young wife.

  • Cornwallis Fiennes Wykeham Mann, Captain, 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own). Aged 30. Awarded the Military Cross and Croix de Guerre (France). Son of Col. and Mrs. F. S. W. Cornwallis (now 1st Baron Cornwallis, of Linton, and Baroness Cornwallis) of Linton Park, Maidstone. His Grandfather Francis Cornwallis of the 4th Light Dragoons took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.
  • McCreery Robert Bruce, Lieutenant, 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own). Aged 22. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter McCreery, of Stowell Hill, Templecombe, Somerset.

Clare 21/05/1921

The following soldiers died in the attack at Ballyvaughan, the soldiers left the Coast guard Station and were marching passed the Post Office which had been occupied by the IRA when they were attacked.

  • Bolton Isaac Robert, CH/21743, Private  8th Bn. Royal Marine Light Infantry
  • Chandler Henry, CH/19831, Private  Royal Marine Light Infantry. Aged 23.

Cork 31/05/1921

On the 31st of May the following 7 soldiers, all with the band of the Hampshire Regiment were on their way to the rifle range at Youghal County Cork when a road mine exploded under the truck they were travelling in. Three soldiers were killed outright while a further died later that day and another the next day.


  • Whichelow C L T, 5485245, Corporal, 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment Husband of Violet M. Whichelow, of 32, Seaside Avenue, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A.
  • Burke F 5485339 Bandsman 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Aged 21
  • McCall R. D. 5485224, Lance Corporal  2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment
  • Washington F. 5485841. Private 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment
  • Evans Frederick 5485675 Boy 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Aged 17. Son of Mrs. E. M. Dymond, of 9, Polsome Place, Middlebrooks, Winchester.
  • Simmons G. W. 5487152  Boy 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Aged 15. Son of George Henry and Charlotte Mabel Simmons, of 5, Somers Rd., Southsea, Hants. Born at Portsmouth.
  • Hesterman Fredrick William 5487335 Boy 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Aged 14. Died from wounds on the 01/06/1921. Son of Henry and Eliza Hesterman, of 3, Blighmont Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton. Born at Poplar, London.


Cork 05/06/1921

The Irish Time newspaper reported on three young musicians who ‘broke out’ of their barracks in Cork and were kidnapped and killed by the IRA. The three soldiers were killed on the 5th of June 1921 at Kilcrea County Cork.


  • Cooper John 3513044 Boy 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. Aged 16. Son of John and Ellen Cooper, of 22, Retiro St., Oldham.
  • Carson  M. 3513561 Boy 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. Aged 18. Son of Robert and Ellen Carson, of 45, Hope Rd., Sale, Cheshire.
  • Chapman C.A. 513058  Boy 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment. Aged 17. Son of William Edward Chapman, of Birch Lea, Lees, Oldham.


08/06/1921

Minion Harry. 3848931, Private  2nd Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)Aged 21. Son of Mr. A. and Mrs. Catherine Minion, of 17, Lyndhurst St., Bolton.

Clare 12/06/1921

Hudson M. 5393689, Lance Corporal  Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. While returning from Kilrush the I.R.A. East Clare Brigade’s Flying Column 6th Battalion Active Service Unit under the command of Michael McGrath encountered a large force of British Soldiers, just outside the town at Four Roads the I.R.A. attacked the British Soldiers killing Hudson.

Warren Richard Crawford, Lieutenant. 1st Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Aged 22. In the same attack Warren was wounded, he died from his wounds on the 26th of June 1921, he was the holder of the Military Cross and Bar, he was the Son of the late Col. Percy Bliss Warren.

Dundalk 24/06/1921

Three soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded on the track of the Great Northern Railway near Adavoyle about ten miles north of Dundalk, the incident happened on the 24th of June 1921.


  • Dowson Charles, 534083, Serjeant, 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars. Aged 28. Son of John Dowson, of Pinder Green, Methley Junction, Yorks.
  • Harper  C. H. 537772  Private 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars. Aged 24
  • Telford William Henry, 534369, Private B Squadron 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars. Aged 19.  Son of Mrs. Edith B. Bayes (formerly Telford), of 120, Union St., Middlesbrough, and the late John Telford.


Cork 18/05/1921

Hill Arthur Wilfred Lavington, 5486595. Lance Corporal  No. 7 Coy. 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment. Aged 21. Son of Frederick John and Harriet Margaret Hill, of 10, The Mount, North Wallington, Fareham. Lance Corporal Hill was on duty at Glanmire Railway Station County Cork. He went of duty at 5.30pm on the evening of the 18th of May, he visited a friend at her house from 7pm until 9pm. At about 9.30pm an employee at the Lower Glanmire road level crossing heard several shots and was later informed by a woman that a man had been shot on the road. The military were informed and the Curfew Patrol found the body of Lance Corporal Hill lying face down, two .45 revolver bullets were found in a pool of blood. Evidence was also found that several people had waited at the spot for some time. Medical evidence found that Hill had a .45 revolver wound in the head the bullet having entered behind the ear and fractured the skull. Another bullet had passed clean through the head from back to front and there were two more wounds to the left fore-arm and the back of the neck.

Madell  R. 5998850 Lance Corporal  1st Bn. Essex RegimentDied 14/05/1921. Son of Mrs. A. Madell, of 12, Mount Durand, St. Peter Port.

Shepherd Francis William  5998780 Private 1st Bn. Essex Regiment. Aged 18. Died 14/05/1921. Son of Clara M. and the late Mr. Shepherd, of 138, Oakdale Rd., Leytonstone.

Herrod  John 3902304 Serjeant 1st Bn. South Wales Borderers. Aged 33. Died 16/05/1921. Son of Arthur and Maria Herrod; husband of Jennie Herrod, of 53, Hillary St., Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. Native of Pulham St. Mary, Norfolk.

Francis  Bernard RMA/14710 Gunner Royal Marine Artillery Died 14/05/1921

Parker William RMA/14560 Gunner Royal Marine Artillery Died 14/05/1921

Williams Ernest PO/15586 Corporal 8th R.M. Bn. R.N. Div. Royal Marine Light Infantry Aged 25. Died 17/05/1921 from Wounds.

Percival Mark 3645255 Private 1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Aged 18. Died 17/05/1921. Son of Mark and Mary Percival, of 12, Alpha St., Widnes.

Goldsmith Stephen 6446069 Serjeant 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers Died 25/05/1921

SaggersAlbert George   S/11267 Private  "D" Supply Coy. Royal Army Service Corps. Aged 20. Died 14/05/1921. Son of William and Lizzie Saggers, of Vicarage Rd., Stanstead Abbotts.

Tipperary 19/06/1921

Smith, W, 5610297, Private, Devonshire Regiment, was part of a party conveying a coffin for an R.I.C. man who had been shot, while crossing New Bridge, Carrick-on-Suir they were ambushed by a large party of armed men concealed on the road side. Crown Forces dismounted and returned fire, the attackers fled, Private Smith was killed in the exchange of fire.

19/06/1921

Breeze Alfred Donald Hugh Second Lieutenant 2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment. Aged 20. Died 19/06/1921. Son of Alfred Dennant and Mary Ann Bridget Breeze of 1 College View, Plymouth. He is buried at Plymouth Ford Park Cemetery England. Breeze was shot by the IRA when a car he was travelling in was stopped in Foxrock by F Company (Deansgrange) 6th Battalion. Breeze was travelling with two women, his girlfriend and her mother, Breeze was in civilian clothes. Breeze attempted to draw his revolved and was shot in the hip by one of the IRA men. The IRA bandaged the wound and intended to take Breeze to Leopardstown, one of the women was ordered out of the car and the other told to drive. Accounts differ as to what happened but on the journey to Leopardstown Breeze was shot dead on the Ballyogan Road. One account states that Breeze attempted to disarm one of his captors and was shot dead in the struggle, another account states he was taken from the car and executed for attempting to escape.

Westmeath 20/06/1621

Brigadier General Thomas Stanton Lambert, General Staff, aged 50. Former service with East Lancashire Regiment. Awards received C B and C M G. He was part of a group including his wife and niece returning from a tennis party at Benown House, Glasson about six miles from Athlone at 7.30pm on Monday the 20th of June. Before the car they were travelling in reached the main road to Glasson about fourteen armed men called on the car to halt, Mrs. Lambert increased speed, shot-gun fired was opened on the car and Brigadier General Lambert was hit. Mrs. Lambert drove to Athlone Military Hospital where Brigadier General Lambert died from wounds received at about 9pm. His body was returned to London for burial.

Tipperary 20/06/1921

Three Officers were shot dead at Woodroofe midway between Cahir and Clonmel, County Tipperary. On Sunday the 19th they left Fethard Barracks walking in the Coleman direction. When they failed to return a search covering a large area was mounted. At 11.30am on Monday the 20th three bodies were found at Woodroofe.

  • Bettridge, R F, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Aged 26 from Devon, England.
  • Glossop, Walter George Cave, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery, aged 22. Son of the Rev. and Mrs. T. F. G. Glossop, of The Vicarage, Shoreham, Sussex. Born at Whyteleafe. Awarded the King's Gold Medal, Pollock Medal, and Tomb's Memorial Prize at R.M.A., Woolwich.
  • Toogood, A C H, Second Lieutenant, 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment.

Clare 10/07/1921

Williams R. W. 4179390 Private  2nd Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Died 10/07/1921

On 26 May 1921 the IRA had attempted to blow up the two-arched bridge spanning the Owengarry River at Bunratty, causing a significant breach on its western side. At 2pm on Sunday 10 July 1921 two British Army motorcycle dispatch riders approached the bridge from Limerick. Despite the attempts of local people to warn them of the breach, both plunged into the river below. Private Williams split his head open on the stonework as he fell and had lost consciousness by the time he reached the water. The second soldier managed to save himself but Williams was seen to go under. A few weeks later Williams’s body was washed ashore on the eastern bank of the river about 200 yards north of Bunratty Bridge. It was discovered by a local farmer, who had also witnessed the fatality. The farmer dragged the body from the river and buried it nearby in marshy ground.

Cork 10/07/1921

The following four soldiers were kidnapped and executed in a field in Cork by the IRA, the commanding officer of Henry Morris wrote to his next of kin, in the letter he stated “I regret very much to have to inform you that your son, Private H. Morris, was killed by the Irish rebels on Sunday July 10, at about 10.30pm. He was out on pass at the time with another friend in the regiment and with two men of the Royal Engineers. They were kidnapped, and although the tragedy is difficult to visualise, I feel that you would prefer to know what happened. As far as could be found out, your son and his friends were shot together. From what I saw myself when they were brought to the barracks, I am convinced that they could not have suffered, but died instantly. Your son was blindfolded and taken to a field about two to three miles from where he had been walking with his friends.”

  • Morris Henry Alfred 4905221 Private  "D" Coy. 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment. Aged 21
  • Daker Harold  4905129 Lance Corporal  2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
  • Camm Albert  G. 1856603 Sapper  Royal Engineers. Aged 20
  • Powell  Albert Edward   1853916 Sapper  33rd Fortress Coy. Royal Engineers. Aged 20 Died on the 11/07/1921 Son of Henry Arthur and Jane Powell, of 28, Abbott Rd., Poplar, London.

 Kerry 10/07/1921

Davies (Davis*)John Lauton 3846619 Serjeant "A" Coy. 2nd Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).  Aged 36. Killed in Action when ambushed on Upper Main Street Castleisland County Kerry. Three I.R.A. Volunteers were also Killed in Action in the same incident. Awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of Mrs. Annie Davies, of Garth House, Pencelby, Brecon, and the late Edward Davies; husband of May Davies, of 3, Upper Hamilton Rd., Brighton. *Referred to Davis in contemporary accounts of the ambush.

 Irish Times List

The following soldiers appear on the Irish Times List of causalities dated Saturday the 9th of July 1921

Crowther Frederick 4906896 Private  South Staffordshire Regiment. Aged 25. Died 27/06/1921 Son of Benjamin and Rosina Crowther, of 64, Smestow St., Springfields, Wolverhampton.

Goddard H. EI/33004 Lance Corporal  2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment. Aged 20. Died 02/06/1921. Son of Henry J. Goddard, of 64, Linden Rd., Hampton.

Saunders W T 6336107 Private  2nd Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 16/06/1921

Gibbons Ernest   1410359 Gunner 20th Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery. Aged 26. Died 06/06/1921

Irish Times List

The following appeared on the list of Causalities in Ireland published in The Irish Times on the 3rd of September 1921

Rankin  George 3848460 Private  The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)  Died 10/07/1921

Reynolds John William 4794121 Serjeant 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment. Aged 21. Died 11/07/1921. Son of John William and Daisy Elizabeth Reynolds, of 10, Harmood Place, Kentish Town, London. Native of Streatham, London.

Limerick 07/08/1921

Barrington Ernest M/24479 Private  Royal Army Service Corps 116th M.T. Coy. (Limerick). Aged 34

Died as a result of injuries received in a motor accident in Killaloe County Limerick. He was a native of Manchester, his remains were returned from New Barracks Limerick to Manchester via Kingstown. A large crowd of his comrades and civilians gathered at New Barracks as the train departed, the band of the Royal Welch Fusiliers played funeral marches and the last post as his remains left the station. He was the Son of Sarah Barrington, of 23, Stretford Rd., Manchester, and the late Peter Barrington.

Royal Hospital Chapel Dublin Memorial list

The following names are from a list published for a memorial service held at the Royal Hospital Chapel Dublin on November 21st 1922. The names are of those I was unable to find details of the circumstance of their deaths, all are listed on The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

  • Price Gilbert Arthur, Lieutenant, Tank Corps and General List. Aged 25. Died 14/10/1920. Son of Henry Calvert Price and Frances Maria Price, of 137, Marsala Rd., Lewisham, London.
  • Sharman Frederick, Second Lieutenant, 24th Div. Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery. Aged 30. Died 18/08/1920. Son of George and Lydia Sharman, of St. Neots.
  • Boxold F. 644652, Serjeant, 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers.Died 11/02/1921
  • Brundish G, 6446503, Serjeant, 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Aged 31. Died 21/03/1921.

 

The above inscription is from the headstone of the Cambridge family from Kingston-on-Thames. It shows their 19 year old son Robert Charles Cambridge of the Royal Field Artillery was Killed in Action in Ireland on the 10th of December 1920. The headstone also illustrates the effects the First World War and the war in Ireland had on many families. The two brothers of Robert Charles Cambridge are buried were they fell in France and Flanders.

Chandler Edward Albert 6449781. Lance Corporal 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Died 21/03/1921

Gammon Walter Spencer 6278154. Private 1st bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)  Aged 29. Died 26/11/1920 Son of Peter Spencer Gammon, and Caroline Gammon, of St. Jean, Cottage Rd., Ramsgate.

Hall E 6278145. Corporal, 1st Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)  Died 29/11/1920 Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Hall C. EM/45295, Private 1155th M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps. Died 27/07/1920

Holyome John Joseph 6446476 Private 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers Died 13/02/1921. Son of John Joseph and Sarah Holyome.

Jarvis H. C. 30397 Lance Corporal  1st Bn. South Lancashire Regiment. Died 19/03/1921

Larter Richard Edward - Private1st Bn. Machine Gun Corps1910/07/1921

Mears   Charles Edward 6446401 Serjeant 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Died 12/07/1921

Nunn A. E. 185267  Private  Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)   Died 14/08/1920

Robertson George 3044595 Private  2nd Bn. Royal Scots Died 20/10/1920

Ross William 3847663 Private  2nd Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Aged 33. Died 10/07/1921. Son of Mrs. C. Ross, of 115, Central St., St. Helens.

Roughley F 3514304 Private 1st. Bn. Manchester Regiment   Died 15/06/1921

Ryan J. 7681746 Lance Corporal  Military Foot Police Military Police Corps. Died 05/02/1921. He was shot dead as he drank in a public house in Gloucester Place, Dublin. He was in civilian clothes, three men entered the bar and fired at him. He was married and lived at 16 Railway Street, Dublin. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery.

Staves Harold 4793670 Private  No. 4 Coy. 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment. Aged 21. Son of James and Mary Staves, of 194, St. Catherines Grove, Lincoln.

Turner W. 537303  Lance Corporal  15th (The King's) Hussars. Aged 18. Died on the 24/11/1920 Son of Annie Ethel Cable (formerly Turner), of 73, Bold St., Northwood, Hanley, and the late Walter Turner.

Deaths after the Truce

On Tuesday July 11th 1921 a truce came into effect between the British and the Irish Republican Army. The British military started withdrawing from the 26 counties in late December 1921. Between the July truce and the withdrawal of British military several soldiers of the British Army were killed in Ireland. The list below contains the names of those soldiers I have been able to identify as having died during this period.

25/09/1921

Lieutenant G H Souchon

Lieutenant G H Souchon 17th Lancers. On Sunday the 25th of September 1921 Lieutenant Souchon was on his way from his Club to Earl’s Island Army Camp in Galway. On his way he met some fellow officers who gave him a lift in their car. As they drove passed the Town Hall shots were fired and Lieutenant Souchon was hit in the head, he died instantly.

Lieutenant Souchon should have retired from the Army a month ago but due to a delay in receiving his papers his retirement was delayed. His body was taken to Wookham, Surrey for burial.

Investigations into the shooting showed that Lieutenant Souchon was killed by a stray bullet fired in a dispute at a local hall where a dance was being held in aid of The Republican Prisoners Dependants’ Fund. There were several accounts of how the dispute arose but it involved some Crown Forces either attempting to enter the dance without paying or Republican stewards at the dance attempted to search Crown Forces outside the dance. Lieutenant Souchon was not involved in this dispute and was hit by a stray bullet when passing the hall in the car.

Belfast 10/03/1922

Bruce    E S          Lieutenant

1st Seaforth Highlanders Lieutenant Bruce was shot dead in Alfred Street Belfast on the 10th of March 1922, he was dressed in civilian clothes and on his was to the War Hospital Victoria Road when he was surrounded by a gang of about twenty men and shot.

Cork 28th of April 1922

On the 28th of April 1922 4 British Soldiers were arrested by the I.R.A. at Dick William’s Hotel in Macroom County Cork. The three Officers were on a hunting outing driven by a Private from the Army Motor Transport Corps, they had a fine Newfoundland dog with them. The four men were taken to Macroom Castle which was heavily fortified by the I.R.A. and a mine was laid in the square with a concealed cable running to it so it could be detonated from the Castle.

In the afternoon of the next day a large force of British troops arrived at the Castle. An armored car with its gun trained on the Castle keep was parked in the square and two eighteen-pounder guns were hauled up Sleaveen Hill and trained on the Castle. A detachment from the British force questioned the I.R.A. in the Castle, the I.R.A. denied all knowledge of the whereabouts of the missing soldiers. Residents of the town were also questioned about the missing soldiers but having gained no useful information the British force withdrew to Ballincollig.

On the evening of the 29th of April the three officers and the private were taken to Kilgobnet a few miles west of Macroom and shot, the dog was also shot.

The British Army claimed the Soldiers were on a hunting trip, the I.R.A. claimed they were in the area spying and local rumor claimed the Soldiers were in Macroom to rob a bank and it also emerged some years later that one of the Officers killed was responsible for the death of an I.R.A. Volunteer in the Macroom area, the I.R.A. Volunteer was trussed up like a chicken, tied to the back of an army vehicle and dragged at high speed to his death.

The four solders were:

  • Lieutenant George R A Dove 2nd Hampshire Regiment
  • Ronald A Hendy 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment, former service with the 1st King Edward’s Horse.
  • Kenneth R Henderson M.C. 2nd Green Howards.
  • J R Brooks Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)

20/02/1922

On Monday the 20th of February 1922 two British Soldiers were shot dead on the Naas Road on the Inchicore side outside the village of Bluebell County Dublin. A military lorry which had broken down two hours earlier was awaiting assistance. Another lorry carrying a party of Soldiers was believed to be going to the assistance of the stricken lorry when it was fired on, the driver accelerated and speed to Dublin where it was discovered that two occupants of the lorry had been hit. The lorry was attacked by A Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, I.R.A. The two Soldiers killed were:

Lieutenant W Mead Royal Army Service Corps (H.T.).

Quartermaster Sergeant Conliffe (Cunliffe) 25th Motor Transport Company

Lieutenant J H Wogan-Brown 48th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Lieutenant H M Genochio Royal Engineers

 

Dublin 30/08/1922

2nd Lieutenant R J Storey King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 2nd Lieutenant Storey, a native of Wrigton Somerset, was found at 11.35pm on Wednesday the 30th of August 1922 near Island bridge Dublin, he had been shot in the head. Initially it was suspected, and some witnesses testified, that Storey had shot himself but Storey’s revolver was produced in evidence and testimony given that the gun had not been fired for several weeks. A verdict of death due to laceration of the brain caused by a bullet fired by some person unknown was returned.

Private E T Barnes 1st Norfolk Regiment

C Q M S T Cuncliffe Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)

 

 

Dublin 27/05/1922

Emery   G A         A/L/Cpl

Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)On Saturday the 27th of May 1922 Emery with another soldier Private Dean when they were attacked in College Green Dublin at 12.40pm. Both soldiers were about to board a motorcycle and sidecar when the attack occurred.

At first it was believed that the motive for the attack was robbery as two men were seen trying to wrestle the motorcycle from the two soldiers, five shots were herd and both soldiers were seen to stagger. Lance-Corporal Emery was seen to fall from the sidecar then rise and stagger up Church lane and into St. Andrew Street where he fell dead. Private Dean staggered into the post office. Both soldiers received first aid from members of the public but in the case of Lance-Corporal Emery their efforts were in vain as he had received three bullet wounds, one to the neck and two which caused fatal injuries to both lungs. The two assassins fled leaving the motorcycle and sidecar.

Dublin 12/05/1922

Gunner J Rolfe 17 Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Various newspapers reported that questions were asked in the House of Commons relating to the death of Gunner Rolfe, the jury in his inquest in Jervis Street Hospital Dublin refused to return a verdict of wilful murder as the coroner had suggested, instead returning a verdict of death from shock and haemorrhage as a result of wounds inflicted by a person or personas unknown. Gunner Rolfe was shot dead in Dublin on May the 12th 1922 when he and another Gunner, Alfred Porter, both of Marlborough Barracks, were walking along Bachelor’s Walk Dublin when two civilians who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, one brandishing a Webley revolver, ordered the two soldiers to put their hands up. The two civilians requested Gunner Porter to remove his bandolier, Gunner Rolfe requested a receipt for the bandolier explaining that the two soldiers would get into trouble when they returned to Barracks without it. After making the request for the receipt one of the assailants said “what did you say” and not waiting for a reply fired at Gunner Rolfe.  Both soldiers were unarmed when the incident happened. First aid was rendered to Rolfe at the scene by a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and a Free State Army officer.

A C S Rodgers Royal Air Force. Private Rogers, aged 21 from Collinstown, was mortally wounded in Talbot Street Dublin. He died on Friday the 30th of June 1922 in the King George V Hospital. Private Rogers was travelling in the back of a truck under the command of Second-Lieutenant Beckman when they were fired on from both sides of the street, private Rogers was hit in the back.

Private A T Taylor Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport). Private Taylor was shot dead in Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) on Wednesday the 12th of April 1922. He, with Private Cachia were loading furniture into a car when Private Taylor, who was at the back of the car, was approached by a man who ordered him to put up his hands, Private Taylor was holding his rifle at the time. In evidence to the inquest Private Cachia stated that he herd the order Hands Up and almost immediately after a shot was fired. Private Taylor was shot once in the head and died a few days later in St. Michael’s Hospital.

Agents and Spies

The following list contains the names of British Agents shot during the War of Independence. The British operated a network of Agents and Spies from their headquarters at Dublin Castle. Many of these Agents had gained a vast amount of experience in espionage during the First World War and subsequent service in the Middle East and other hot-spots around the world. 

Alan Bell was appointed Resident Magistrate of Dublin in 1920. He was transferred from Belfast to Dublin and his main task was to investigate the recent attempt of the life of Lord French, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Bell also had another task which could potentially have a devastating affect of the I.R.A., he was to investigate the hidden I.R.A. finances and identify those who were donating money to the I.R.A.

The Intelligence Department of the I.R.A., led by Michael Collins, set out to assassinate Bell and put an end to his investigations. On the 1st of March 1920 Bell order all banks in Dublin to appear at the Police Courts so that their accounts could be officially examined. Within days Bell had located and confiscated over £18,000 belonging to the I.R.A. This was a crippling blow to the I.R.A. and Collins and his assignation squad knew they had to act quickly to eliminate Bell.

Bell was followed and his routine established, for such an experienced agent it was foolhardy for Bell to adapt the same routine every day. Bell left his home at 19 Belgrave Square Monkstown each morning and was escorted to the tram stop by an armed detective. He would travel alone to his destination in Dublin City where he would be met by another armed detective.

On March the 26th four members of the I.R.A. boarded the tram on which Alan Bell was already travelling. As the tram approached a stop at Sandymount Avenue three of the assassination squad approached bell who was sitting at the front of the tram next to the exit. Bell was forcibly removed from the tram when it stopped. Although Bell was armed he did not get a chance to draw his weapon. The fourth member of the squad following closely behind drew his weapon and fired three shots into Bell killing him.

The squad escaped into the crowd and the I.R.A. had eliminated one of Dublin Castle’s best agents. Alan Bell was buried in Dean’s Grange Cemetery. He was 62 years old.

 

Accidental Death and Suicide

Dublin 08/10/1919

Frost      William EdwardLieutenant          1st Bn. attd. 6th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment           Aged 30 Awarded the Military Medal. Frost’s body was found in a field adjoining Rathgar Saw Mills Dublin. The inquest into his death returned a verdict that he had killed himself by poison when the balance of his mind was disturbed. Frost was home on sick leave from the Army and after a telegram from the War Office his wife stated he had become excited and anxious believing he was to be court-martialled although no reason was given as to why he felt this way.  Buried Commemorated, Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.

Cork 20/03/1919

On Thursday the 20th of March 1919 Major A. E. H. Fetherstonhaugh of the 14th (King’s) Hussars Cork Garrison, died when the car he was travelling in was hit by a train at a level-crossing.  As the car, which was driven by his chauffer, approached the level-crossing the station mistress saw their pearl and attempted to warn them but to no avail. The car which was described as travelling at a good speed hit the train travelling to Blarney County Cork. Fetherstonhaugh, who was staying at St. Anne’s Hydro died instantly after being dragged by the engine form some distance and receiving horrific injuries. The chauffer, William Rabbit of Blackrock County Dublin, escaped shaken but unharmed when the impacted threw him over a wall. The incident occurred at the level-crossing at Leemount on the Cork and Muskerry Light Railway shortly before 9am.  Fetherstonhaugh was a native of Westmeath and had only married recently. Colonel Curtis of the Royal Army Medical Corps was quickly summoned to the scene but Fetherstonhaugh was dead on his arrival. Fetherstonhaugh was 33 years old and the Son of Capt. and Mrs. Fetherstonhaugh, of Bracklyn, Westmeath; husband of Janet Gordon Fetherstonhaugh and is buried in Rathconnell Church of Ireland Churchyard County Westmeath.

24/06/1919

On Tuesday the 24th of June 1919 Corporal R E Phillips was accidently shot dead when a bullet was discharged from an automatic pistol being cleaned by Lieutenant Bastick. Bastick stated in evidence that he believed the gun to be empty and was in the process of cleaning it, as Phillips passed between Bastick and the was the gun discharged the bullet hitting Phillips in the left shoulder and passing through his neck.

Kildare 22/07/1919

On Wednesday the 22nd of July 1919 Private George White 67099 aged 18 died at the Curragh Military Camp in County Kildare when fireworks exploded. A picket was posted to guard the fireworks which were on the sports green, during the evening a large crowd of soldiers rushed the green and a large amount of fireworks were ignited, there was no explanation as to how the fireworks were ignited. Private White was with the 3rd Battalion The North Staffordshire Regiment and was the Son of Ernest Thomas White and Mary Jane White, of Goodleigh, Barnstaple, Devon.

Londonderry 19/04/1920

On Monday the 19th of April 1920 Lieutenant Bird Everton B Company 2nd Battalion The Dorset Regiment was killed when he was crushed between two armoured cars trying to jump start one with the other on the parade ground of Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry. Everton was 30 years old and was the Son of the late William Bird Everton; husband of Ethel Beatrice May Everton, of 37, Fairlee Rd., Newport, Isle of Wight. Born at Newport, Isle of Wight. He is buried in Londonderry City Cemetery.

Tipperary 20/05/1920

On Thursday the 20th of May 1920 at Tipperary Military Barracks Private A Bowes 66896 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment died when a bullet, accidently discharged by Private Bowers, hit him in the neck exiting through his back. Private Bowers told the inquest into the death of Bowes that acting on corporal instructions he loaded his rifle putting five cartridges into the magazine. On closing the bolt one bullet must have slipped into the breach. He pulled the trigger which was the usual thing to do. The jury found that the death was accidental and exonerated Bowers. Private Bowes was 18 years old and is buried in Tipperary (St. Mary’s) Churchyard County Tipperary.

Omagh 22/05/1920

On Saturday the 22nd of May 1920 Serjeant John Bates, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was found shot dead in Omagh Barracks. The jury at the inquest found that Serjeant Bates had shot himself whilst temporarily insane. Evidence was given at the inquest by Corporal Albert V. Coppins 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers that he had attended an entertainment at the Courthouse in Omagh with Bates and had accompanied him back to Barracks shortly before 5am. Witness stated that Bates was In good humour as he invariably was.  Serjeant John McDonald Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers gave evidence that Bates had entered the guard room on his was to his room at about 5.55am, about five minutes later witness heard a dull report and on going to Bates’s room he found him slumped  with his rifle resting on his right arm.

Dublin 27/05/1920

On Thursday the 27th of May 1920 51979 Private Joseph Clarkson aged 19 of the 1st Battalion The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) died as a result of bullet wounds due to the accidental discharge of a rifle. The incident happened in the Military Headquarters of the Chief Secretary’s Office Dublin. He was the Son of Matthew and Alice Clarkson, of 26A, Ainscow St., Ince and is buried in INCE-IN-MAKERFIELD CEMETERY, Lancashire. 

Belfast 31/08/1920

Jamieson             J. A.       3234829                Private  Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Shot dead during Curfew hours on Linfield Road Belfast. At the inquest into his death Corporal Jennings said he was in charge of a picket, he heard a challenge and two shots rang out and then another in quick succession. Jamieson, who was on the picket fell, Corporal Jennings stated that it was Jamieson who gave the challenge. Constable Gallagher, who was patrolling with the picket, told the inquest  that Private Egglesworth, who was leading the right file shouted halt to some person in Kenmare Street, two shots were fired by the military. Jamieson, who was leading the picket on the left side turned into Kenmare Street and was hit and fell to the ground. Witness stated there was nobody in the street and no order had been given to fire. The inquest found that Private Jamieson died from a bullet fired by the Military and dead was due to misadventure. Jamieson’s home address was give at the inquest as Oswald Street Glasgow.

Dublin 31/10/1922

On Tuesday the 31st of October 1922 Corporal B Bishop, Border Regiment, aged 21 and from Glasgow stationed at Marlborough Barracks Dublin was admitted to the George V Hospital Dublin suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. The inquest into the soldier’s death found he had died from wounds, self-inflicted whilst temporarily insane. Captain J Boyle R.A.M.C.  stated that a bullet had traversed the base of the brain emerging on the right side. Lance-Corporal G Kirke said he went to wake the deceased at 7.45am on October 31st and found him lying on a box bleeding from the head with a service rifle having a string attached to the trigger beside him. It was stated that Bishop had received a letter and seemed depressed. Driver T B Downing R.G.A. told the inquest that Bishop had said to him at a dance in the North Dublin Union Barracks on October 30th “This will be the last cup of tea I will have.”