Sligo Stories of Word War I - A St Patricks Day Special from the US

John J Harte from Ballinfull in north County Sligo was killed in combat in World War I in 1915.

Through the Lest Sligo Forgets Campaign his memory has been reconnected with his family in the United States.

Chris Isleib is the Director of Public Affairs, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission. On learning about the Lest Sligo Forgets Campaign, Chris gereously became a Name Benefactor for the memorial. He asked us to nominate a name from our list of 610 Sligo people who were killed in World War I.

At random we selected John J Harte from Ballinfull in North Sligo, son of James and Mary Harte (nee Boyle), of Breaghwy, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, a member of the 2nd Bn Irish Guards.

A wonderful St Patrick’s Day link with a family of the Irish Diaspora in the US has unfolded from there.

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Grave Registration Report for John J Harte of Ballinfull Co Sligo.

Having informed Chris Isleib of the name we attributed to his benefactor support, Chris decided he would do some research on John J Harte, to learn more about his story. Miraculously it has turned out John JHarte was a cousin of his own grandfather!

Chris most kindly shared these thoughts on this with us yesterday.

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Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission writes:

“I proudly offer support for your remembrance of the people from County Sligo who followed the awful drum 100 years ago. Their stories are important, and this memorial "Lest Sligo Forgets" deserves our greatest support.

As per our email discussion, I seem to be correct -- John Harte is my Second Great Uncle. He served with the Irish Guards in WWI, and was killed in combat in 1915. He is buried at the CWGC cemetery in Aubers Ridge, near Lille, France.

John Harte was the cousin of my grandfather, Michael Clancy Harte (O'Hart). Their fathers were brothers who grew up in the big, extended Harte/Hart/O'Hart family in the Grange area of County Sligo -- farmers in the townlands of Breaghwy, Ballinfull, Agharrow, Kiladoon, Rannatruffan, Ballygilgan, My grandfather's family would move to the nearby town of Garrison, County Fermanagh, in the 1880's, seeking opportunity -- but the opportunity would be limited, and the political oppression of the time pushed my grandfather to emigrate to the United States in 1910.

Michael Clancy O'Hart, emigrated to the U.S. from County Sligo/County Fermanagh area in 1910.

Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission

Contd/-

“The story of the Irish people who served in uniform during WWI is very complicated. It reminds me of the stories of our own American Native-Americans, or our African-Americans, who served in the uniform in the American military during WWI.

These ethnic groups all suffered from fewer civil rights, diminished career opportunities, explicit discrimination in their service, etc. But, somehow, these people, in their desperate economic times, rightly or wrongly, saw their military service as something that could have positive ends. It could show who they were, how bravely they could fight, how legitimate they were as modern people in the dominant system, how tough/determined their race of human beings was. Further, the experience could give their families a modicum of financial support, in dark days that promised none.

I will never fully understand the full complexities of their service 100 years go, but I gained significant insight from a stunning autobiographical book written about the Irish who served during World War I. "THERE'S A DEVIL IN THE DRUM" by John Lucy, a Catholic from Dublin.

It is my great honor to help you to remember the men and women who played central roles in this significant historical period in our community. I look forward to the official dedication of this great memorial.”

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Lest Sligo Forgets Steering Committee in acknowledgement writes;

We are most grateful to Chris Isleib and his family for becoming benefactors of the County Sligo World War I Memorial Garden, and for his reflections here.

It is our fervent hope that many people who engage with the process of realising this Memorial Garden in the coming months, will come to learn more about the role over 5000 young Sligo men played in World War I - and in many instances about that of their own ancestors numbered among them.

Six hundred and five of these young boys and men that we know of, like 24 year old John J Harte from Ballinfull, perished in that catastrophic global 1914-1918 conflict just over 100 years ago. Five innocent Sligo civilians died aboard the RMS Leinster.

It is time to remember them among us, as we will remember, commemorate and reflect upon all who played out their diversity of beliefs and convictions in seeking to forge a nascent Irish nation 100 years ago.

We are creating a County Sligo Memorial Garden where the terrible loss to our County brought about by World War I will be commemorated with dignity, peace and respect. It will be a place of remembrance, a place of quiet acknowledgement which may help us and future generations understand and reflect upon the complexities of our history.

LSF Committee / St Patricks Day 2019

Click on the link above to join our campaign.

Sligo Stories of World War I

The two Sligo men who lost their lives on Armistice Day.

Simone Hickey, MA Historical and Heritage Studies writes:

When the bells tolled at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the Great War officially ended. However, it was not the end of the death toll. In the days, weeks, months and years to come, thousands more would die as a direct result of the Great War.

Patrick Murray

Patrick Murray was born 8 March 1896 in Doocastle Co. Sligo. He emigrated to America, working as a porter in Sears Roebuck, a large department store in Chicago, Illinois. He received his naturalisation card in June 1918 making him eligible for draft. He was sent overseas as a Private First Class in the 124th Machine Gun Battalion, 33rd American Infantry Division. Just two hours before the cessation of fighting on 11 November, Patrick was hit by a sniper’s bullet and died.

Michael Kilduff

Michael was a son of farmer Michael Kilduff and his wife Mary, of Doonally, Ballygawley, Co. Sligo. When Michael turned 18, he travelled to Boyle and enlisted into the Irish Guards. On completion of his training Michael was posted to France. During the following three years Michael took part in many of the worst battles of the conflict.

In Autumn 1918, Michael was wounded and was transferred ‘home’ to Catherham Guard’s Depot Hospital in Surrey, UK. Michael died there on 11 November 1918, the last day of the Great War. His remains were repatriated to Ireland where he was laid to rest in Kilross Cemetery Co. Sligo.

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Photo of Michael Kilduff and his war medals courtesy of the Kilduff family

The toll of dead and injured on the Western Front, for that day, the day that brought peace, was 11,000.

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Take a look back at the 100th Anniversary commemoration of Armistice Day in Sligo on November 11th 2018, through the photography of Steven Rogers and Tommy Weir.

Sligo Stories of World War I

The Scanlon Family.

Simone Hickey MA Historical and Heritage Studies writes:

The Great War 1914 - 1918 was one of the most destructive military campaigns in history, resulting in millions of casualties on a scale never seen before. Spanning a four-year period, it was a global affair affecting nations all over the world and changing the face of Europe forever. Over 200,000 Irishmen fought in the conflict, with an estimated 50,000 killed. Although on the fringe of Europe, Sligo did not escape the effects of war. The exact number of volunteers from Sligo is unknown, as the majority of soldiers’ Service Records were lost as a result of enemy bombing during the Second World War (those that were saved are referred to as the “Burnt Documents”).

However, it is estimated that over 5,000 men from Sligo, or with Sligo connections, fought in the Great War. As conscription was never enforced in Ireland, all these men enlisted voluntarily. Many were members of the same family; father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and brother-in-law, and many families lost more than one member.

 One such family was the Scanlon family who lived in 7, Upper New St., Sligo.

Thomas and Catherine (Kate) originally from Sligo, moved to Armagh and Ballina, before returning to settle in Sligo in 1900 with their seven children; two boys and five girls. Bernard, the eldest son, was born in Sligo in 1894. Thomas (Tommy) was born in Armagh in 1898. Thomas Snr was a master tailor and, following in his footsteps, both sons joined Henry Lyons Company Ltd Sligo as apprentice tailors.

At the outbreak of war, aged 20, Bernard enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was sent overseas in August 1914 taking part in the Battle of Mons. Following his brother, Tommy, aged 17, arrived in France on 3 May 1915; a soldier with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.  At that time, the legal age limit for armed service overseas was 19, which implies Tommy lied about his age in order to enlist.

During the battle of St Julien in August 1915, Tommy was wounded but made a full recovery. After fighting at the Battle of Givenchy he was transferred to the Machine Gun Infantry as a result of his competence in machine gunnery.

Both Bernard and Tommy fought in some of the worst battles of the Great War. On 1 July 1916, the infamous Battle of the Somme began. This was to be the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army. By the end of the day, the British Forces had suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 fatalities; gaining just three square miles of territory.

Both brothers, in their respective battalions, went “over the top that day”, possibly unaware that each was engaged in the same battle. Tommy, was shot in the head and subsequently died. Along with Tommy, twelve other men from Sligo or with Sligo connections lost their lives that day, 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

The following letter was written by Bernard informing his father of Tommy’s death and it appeared in the Sligo Champion 24 July 1916. It reads:

“Field, 9th July, 1916

Dear Father – It is with the most profound feelings of regret that I write you, as what I have to say will come as a great shock, that is if you have not already received official notification of the sad news. Poor Tommy has been killed in the fighting which is at present going on. I have had a letter from his sergeant, who informs me that he was struck by a bullet from a machine gun, and that death was instantaneous. It is something to know that the poor chap had not to suffer any pain before crossing the Great Divide. The date on which the sad affair occurred was 1st July 1916, whilst the regiment was taking part in the advance, and the sergeant adds that Tommy met his death in the true soldierly spirit with a laugh upon his lips and bravely facing the enemy. This would seem to point to the fact that he was prepared, and that the hereafter held no terrors for him. All his little personal belongings and letters are being forwarded to me, and I will have them sent home as soon as possible after I get them. Well, dear father, I suppose you will feel this sorrow more keenly than I, his brother, if that be possible. We have, however, some consolation of knowing that Tommy is now happy beyond mortal ken in the glorious presence of his Maker, where all his trials are forgotten and no human intervention can again harm him. We must bow to the will of God. Bear up, father, as nothing will result from that. Good-bye for the present, and may God bless you and guard you in your great sorrow.

 Your loving son,

BERNARD.”

Shortly after writing this letter Bernard himself was injured. He went on to make a full recovery and re-join his battalion at the front. The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days with a total of 420,00 British casualties. Unfortunately, just four months after Tommy died, Bernard was killed in action.

Thomas and Kate Scanlon lost both their sons in this terrible war.

Bernard Scanlons final will, written at the battle front.

The bodies of 72,396 British servicemen killed at the Somme were never recovered. The Thiepval Memorial records the names of these soldiers. Both Bernard and Tommy have no known graves and their names are inscribed on the walls of this memorial, along with 49 more Sligo men.

Sligo Stories of World War I: Patrick Commons. From Gortnagrelly to Australia To Passchendaele

Simone Hickey, MA Historical & Heritage Studies writes:

By the end of the war in November 1918, it is believed that approximately 5,000 Sligo men in over fifty regiments fought in all theaters of the Great War.

 Many men from Sligo enlisted abroad, from across the water – Scotland, England and Wales, to further afield - Canada, America and Australia. Very little is known about these men and their association with Sligo.

 Patrick Commons was the son of a farmer from Gortnagrelly, Co. Sligo. Being the second son, Patrick was not in line to inherit the family farm. The 1911 Census records Patrick as a single farmer living in Ballure, Calry, possibly farming family land as another Commons family lived in the area. At some stage during the next two years Patrick emigrated to Australia. There he was employed as a Hospital Attendant in Marrickville, New South Wales.  

On 15 January 1916, aged 29, Patrick enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. After five months training, he sailed from Sydney to Europe. As a Gunner with 22nd Howitzer Brigade, Patrick was heavily involved in some of the worst fighting of the Great War, including the Battle of Passchendaele.

Patrick Commons Attestation Form

On 2 October 1917, Patrick received a gunshot wound to the thigh and was transferred to hospital in England. The following March he returned to duty in France as a Driver. In April, at his own request, he was re-posted as a Gunner with the Field Artillery, and went to the front fighting in the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. From there he took part in the Battle of Amiens, or the 100 Days Offensive, which ultimately led to the end of the war.

 Unfortunately, Patrick was not to enjoy the Allied victory celebrations.

 During the final push in Autumn 1918, the Allied armies launched their largest ever combined offensive on the Western Front. The Battle of St Quentin Canal involved British, Australian and American Forces. It was a decisive Allied victory and drove the German Army from its last fully prepared position west of the German border.

 On 8 October 1918 fourteen men from the Australian Field Artillery were killed during an artillery exchange.

One of the fourteen was a farmer from Ballure, Calry, Co. Sligo - Patrick Commons

Sligo Stories of World War I - Terry Murphy from Ballysadare & the "Men of Iron".

Simone Hickey, MA Historical & Heritage Studies writes:

Many unknown stories of the Great War are of those recalling the execution of allied soliders behind enemy lines. One such story is that of ‘The Men of Iron’; the largest single execution of its kind during the four year conflict. This tragic story involves Sligo man, Terence (Terry) Murphy, born in 1886 in Ballysadare, Co.Sligo. 

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Memorial to ‘The Men of Iron’ unveiled in 2015 in the village of Iron, France.

Anne Murphy, a widow by 1901, was mother to five boys and two girls. Terry and two of his brothers were stone-cutters. The exact date of Terry’s enlistment is not known (as no military records relating to him survive) however, it is known that he went overseas in August 1914 attached to the 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers. This suggests that he was a reservist in the army or already serving as a soldier. 

Terry fought in the Battle of Mons, during which he and ten other soldiers became detached from their regiments amidst an assault and ended up behind enemy lines. In order to avoid capture, the men took refuge in nearby woodlands and hid in the countryside for several weeks.

In October, the men were discovered by a civilian, Vincent Chalandre, as they scavenged for food in a field. He took them to the Logez family, millers in Iron (pronounced e-ron), a small village near Etreux, the location of a battle during the retreat from Mons. There, they remained in the Chalandre home, safely hidden for the next four months.

In February 1915, the men were betrayed by Monsiuer Bachelet, a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war. The eleven soldiers and Vincent Chalandre were arrested, the Chalandre residence and Logez mill were burned to the ground. After being subjected to a savage beating, the soldiers were executed and their bodies dumped in a shallow grave. Vincent Chalandre was executed three days later, and both the Chalandre and Logez families served sentences in German prisons for their part in the concealment of the men.

Ten of the eleven soldiers were with Irish regiments; five Conaught Rangers and five Munster Fusiliers.  Six were Irishmen , one – Terry Murphy, was a stone-cutter from Ballysadare Co. Sligo.

Brother of Matthew Wilson, one of the eleven, visiting the graves of ‘The Men of Iron’.

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