Ballywalter War Memorial, County Down, Northern Ireland.

All information is provided in good faith but, on occasions errors may occur. Should this be the case, if new information can be verified please supply it to the author and corrections will then be made.

This memorial has been compiled with additional information by kind permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and from Ancestry.co.uk

IN EVER LASTING MEMORY OF THE MEN OF BALLYWALTER DISTRICT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

KILLED IN ACTION John ADAIR. Lance Corporal 17/765. 10th Royal Irish Rifles Born 7 June 1886 at Ballywalter to George and Anna Adair, nee Mulree. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 65 Ballywalter Died of wounds 14 November 1916. His mother was granted a war gratuity 10 April 1917 revised 29 October 1919. At rest in St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Belgium

Alexander BOYLE. Private 6769, 20th Australian Infantry Australian Imperial Force Born 1887 at Kilbright to Robert and Agnes Jane Boyle, nee Hamilton. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 5 Kiklbright. Notes from his army records- Joined up 13 April 1917 aged 29 years and 6 months. Occupation, employed at a telephone mechanic for the National Telephone Coy, for 4 years. Embarked from Melbourne on HMAT A29 SS Suevic. 26 June 1917, disembarking at Liverpool, Lancashire, 26 August 1917. Transferred to 5th Training Battalion Australian Imperial Force at Rolleston, Nottinghamshire. At some date he and his unit were transferred to Australian Camp at Fovant, Salisbury Plain Wiltshire. 29 April 1918 he embarked from Folkstone for France to join 20th Battalion, disembarking the following day. He and his unit marched into Australian Base Depot, Etaples to await mobilization to the 20th Battalion. 5 May 1918 his unit mobilized to the 20th. Killed in action 11 August 1918. Laid to rest at Lamont-en-Santerre Communal Cemetery Extension, by Reverend R.E. Crawford. His and others bodies were exhumed, no date given and laid to rest at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Somme, France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fovant_Badges#/media/File:Fovant_Badges.jpg

Robert CARPENTER. Rifleman 18/1766, 11th Royal Irish Rifles, Born 16 July 1890 at Ballywalter to Edward and Alice Carpenter, nee Bell. 1901 residing with his widowed father at 91 Ballywalter. 1911 Residing in the same village with his father, at 155. He married Jane Keenan 20 April 1910 at St Anne’s Church, Belfast. He gave his aged as 22, residing at Mervue Street, Belfast, occupation, labourer. Died of wounds 26 December 1916. His widow was granted a war gratuity 15 May 1917 revised 1 October 1919. At rest in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord France.

CORRY, Edward. Rifleman 188292, 13th Royal Irish Rifles Born 1 February 1885 at Ballywalter to Robert and Ellen Corry, nee Matier. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 29 Ballywalter, occupation, stone mason. 10 March 1911 he married Ellie Adair at Holy Trinity Church, Ballywalter aged 26, occupation, mason. 1911 with his wife at 92 Ballywalter, occupation, stone mason Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, the 1 July 1916. His widow was granted a war gratuity 20 October 1917 revised 11 October 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

CROMIE David. Rifleman 16359, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 16 April 1885 at Baloo Co. Down to David and Jane Cromie, nee Geddis of 93 Ballywalter. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 20 Ballywalter, occupation farm labourer. He married Annie Reid 14 November 1916 at Holy Trinity Church, Ballywalter. Age 23, occupation, soldier and labourer, father David. Died of wounds 4 August 1917. His widow was granted a war gratuity 19 December 1919. At rest in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

James, (Jim) DORRIAN. Private 291603, 44th Canadian Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Born James O’Neill 13 January 1889 at Ballywalter to William and Lizzie Dorrian, nee O’Neill. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 15 Springvale, Ballywalter. 7 May 1910 he embarked from Londonderry to Quebec, Canada of ship Pretorian. He married Elizabeth Ann Campbell at Winnipeg, Canada 8 July 1922 his mother was residing at 64 Castlebank Street, Patrick, Glasgow, Scotland. Notes from his army record- He joined up the 8 February 1916 aged 24 at Winnipeg, Canada as Jim. Resided with his wife Elizabeth at Suite 12, Waller Block, Norwood, Winnipeg Canada, occupation, teamster (driver of horses or oxon (animals)) After his death his wife went to Ballywalter. He embarked from Canada 13 November 1916 with the 222nd Overseas Battalion on SS Olympic to England, disembarking in England (location not given) 20 November 1916. The battalion were then transferred to Canadian Camp at Shoreham, West Sussex. The battalion embarked for France 28 December 1916. marched into Canadian Base Depot the 29th. Marched from the depot on the 30th and joined the 44th in the field 1 January 1917. He was wounded at Vimy Ridge, France from shrapnel to his back and chest 12 April 1917. Treated by 12th Canadian Field Ambulance, transferred the 13th to Canadian Casualty Station. 16th admitted into 3rd Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne. He was invalided (wounded) the 29 April 1917 to HMT St Denis to England and taken to military hospital at the Canadian Army Camp, at Dibgate Kent. 1 May1917 transferred to County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans. 30th transferred to Granville Canadian Special Hospital, Ramsgate, Kent. 6 July 1917 transferred to Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Ramsgate. 10 August 1917 discharged from hospital and posted to 1st Canadian Command Depot, Dibgate. 9 October 1917 transferred to 18th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling, 16th November 1917 posted to 44th Battalion in France. Killed in action 17 February 1918. At rest in Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St.Nazaire, France

GUNNING, Walter. Lance Corporal 18990, 13 Royal Irish Rifles. Born 21 December 1882 at Ballywalter to Hugh and Mary Ann Gunning, nee Bowden of Ballywalter. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 68 Ballywalter. 1911 his parents were residing with no children at 46 Ballywalter. 25 September 1908 he married Mary Selina Sloan at Donaghadee Parish Church, occupation, grocer. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 aged 32. His widow was granted a war gratuity 6 October 1917 revised 29 December 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

George GUNNING. Bandsman 6897, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles Born 23 February 1886 at Kirkcubbin, Co. Down to James and Elizabeth Gunning, nee Davidson of 25 Springvale, Ballywalter, Co. Down, Ireland. Birth name George Gunning. 17 January 1913 he married Elizabeth Brian at Holy Trinity Church, Ballywalter, aged 26, Bandsman in the Royal Irish Rifles. Died of wounds at Angers, France 27 September 1914 aged 28. His widow was granted a war gratuity 51 May 1915 revised 9 July 1919. At rest in Terincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France

Thomas JOHNSTON. Rifleman 19038, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 14 March 1897 at Ballywalter to Thomas and Mary Ann Johnston, nee Murphy of The Warren, Ballywalter, Co. Down. Died 16 August 1917 aged 20 His father was granted a war gratuity 1 October 1918 revised 20 November 1919. At rest in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.

The honourable Andrew Edward Somerset. MULHOLLAND Captain 1st Irish Guards Born 20 September 1882 at Drayton Lodge, Monkstown, County Dublin to Henry Lyle Mulholland 2nd Baron Dunleath, and Norah Louisa Fanny, nee Ward, Baroness Dunleath, of Ballywater Park, Co. Down, husband of Lady Hester Joan Mulholland, nee Byng (now Countess of Cavan), of 22, Great Cumberland Place, London. Wills and Admin, Ancestry. Captain, 1st Irish Guards died 1 November 1914 at or near Ypres, Belgium. Probate 27 February 1917 to the honourable Charles Henry George Mulholland D.S.O., captain H.M.Army. Died 1November 1914 aged 32. At rest in Ypres Town Cemetery, Belgium. https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/fallen-alumni/captain-hon-andrew-edward-somerset-mulholland

Robert MURPHY. Master Mariner, Mercantile Marine on ship, Lough Fisher. Born 18 March 1881 to William John and Susan Murphy, nee McClement of Ballywalter, Co. Down Married 20 November 1911 to Jane Murphy, formerly Henry, nee McKibbin of 12, Dunleath Terrace, Ballywalter, Co. Down. Died at sea aged 37 on the sinking of his ship by U-Boat 101, 12 miles of Helvick Head, Southern Ireland bound for Garston from Cork 30 March 1918 Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

John O’NEILL. Rifleman 19157, 13th Royal Irish Rifles, Born 1 August 1890 at Ballywalter to James and Eliza O’Neill, nee Bell. 1901 residing with mother and siblings at 153 Ballywalter. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 4.1 Ballywalter, occupation, general labourer. Husband of Zillah, nee Gunning who he married 19 June 1911 aged 21, farm labourer, residing at Whitchurch, Ballywalter . 24 October 1915 she was residing at Whitchurch, Ballywalter after giving birth to a daughter. He was stationed with the B.E.F. in France Killed in action 1 July 1917. His widow was granted a war gratuity 15 November 1917 revised 25 October 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Andrew ORR. Private 55918, 19th Canadian Infantry. Born on the 17th August 1883 at Kilbride to John and Mary Orr, nee Baird of Kilbride. 1901 residing with his widowed father and siblings at 4 Kilbright (Kilbride), Carrowdore, Co. Down. 1911 he was a farm servant to the McClure family of 3 Upper Ganaway, Ballywalter. The same year his father was residing with his children at 181 Ballywalter. Notes from his army record. He joined up 11 November 1914 aged 21 years and 2 months at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, occupation, Labourer. His father was his next of kin who resided at Ballyferres, Ballywalter, later of Ballywhiskin, Millisle, Co.Down. He embarked from Canada of SS Scandinavian with his unit the 13 May 1915. Disembarked in England 22 May 1915 and transferred to Canadian Training Camp at Shorncliffe. Embarked from Southampton for France 14 September 1915 disembarking the same day at Boulogne, France He was killed in action at the front in trenches at 9-30am from a gunshot wound through his head the 31 July 1916 aged 33. At rest in Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.

John ORR. Rifleman 358, 11th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 18 March 1883 at Kilbride to John and Mary Orr, nee Baird. 1901 residing with his widowed father and siblings at 4 Kilbright (Kilbride), Carrowdore, Co. Down. 1911 his father was residing with his children at 181 Ballywalter. He married Margaret Jane McClean 9 December 1910 at Carrowdore, Co. Down. He was aged 26, residing at Kilbright, Co. Down, occupation, labourer. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. His widow Minnie was granted a war gratuity 14 November 1917, revised 6 October 1919. Commemorated on a family memorial in Ballyvester Cemetery, Donaghadee, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Also commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

William John PEAKE. (Military Medal) Corporal 19168, 13th Royal Irish Rifles Born 22 September 1893 at Downpatrick, Co. Down to John and Elizabeth Peake, nee Hall. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 8 Killyoolgan, Greyabbey, Co. Down. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 9 Ballyatwood, nr Ballywalter, occupation, carpenter. Later of Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter, Co. Down. Awarded his Military Medal 21 October 1916 Killed in action at the battle of the Somme 1 July 1916, aged 24. His father was granted a war gratuity 12 May 1917 revised 28 November 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Reuben Henry PEAKE. Rifleman 7611, D Coy, 7th Royal Irish Rifles Born 11 September 1898 at Springvale, Co. Down to John and Elizabeth (k/a Bessie) Peake, nee Hall. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 8 Killyoolgan, Greyabbey, Co. Down. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 9 Ballyatwood, nr Ballywalter. Killed in action 8 August 1917. His mother was granted a war gratuity on the 16th November 1918, revised on the 10th November 1919. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Robert REGAN. Rifleman 19183, 13th Royal Irish Rifles Born 11 March 1895 to John and Catherine Regan, nee Reid of 23 Springvale, nr Ballywalter Co. Down. His mother died 2 January 1900. 1901 with his widowed father and siblings at 10 Springvale. 1911 with his father and siblings at 23 Springvale, occupation, farm labourer. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme 1 July 1916. His father was granted a war gratuity on the 13th September 1917. At rest in A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers, Somme, France.

Robert THOPMPSON. Sergeant 201703 (memorial has Company Sergeant Major) 1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, formerly 9001 Hussars. Possibly this person. Born 6 November 1890 at Ballyhalbert, Co. Down to William and Mary Jane Thompson, nee Thompson. Killed in action 20 September 1917. His mother was granted a war gratuity 8 May 1918 revised 15 November 1919. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

James Gordon WHYTE. Lance Corporal 9265, 15th Royal Irish Rifles formerly 6652 Army Cycle Corps Born 24 July 1897 at Ballywalter to James and Mary Whyte, nee Mooney of Ballywalter. 1901 recorded as Gordon White. With his parents and siblings at 118 Ballywalter. 1911 recorded as Gordon White. With his widowed mother and siblings at 72 Ballywalter. Died 23 November 1917. His mother was granted a war gratuity 26 April 1918 revised 14 November 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

DIED James McDermott KERR. Rifleman 19048, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 12 April 1897 at Greyabbey to Hugh and Jane Kerr nee Becketts. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 12 Springvale. 1911 residing with his widowed father and siblings at 28 Springvale, Ballywalter. Died after discharge from the army of pulmonary tuberculosis 13th June 1921 aged 24. at his home, Springvale, Ballywalter. His father was present at his death. At rest in Greyabbey Cemetery, County Down, Northern Ireland.

John McDOWELL. Rifleman 18272, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 3 January 1896 at Ballywalter to William and Elizabeth McDowell, formerly Harkness, nee Taggart. (1901 unable to locate this family) 1911 residing with his widowed father and siblings at 66, Ballywalter, Notes from his army record- He joined on the 24th September 1914 aged 19 and 4 months at Belfast and later he was posted as Private 18272 to the Down Volunteer, 13th Service Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles to Clandeboye Camp, Clandeboye Estate, near Bangor County Down. Occupation was a labourer and he lived with his parents at Ballywalter. His father, William was his next of kin, (his mother was called Elizabeth). On the 2nd March 1915 still at Clandeboye Camp, he was medically discharged from the army as unfit on account of pulmonary tuberculosis of left apex. He died of pulmonary tuberculosis at his home at Ballywalter on the 18th April 1915 aged 19. His sister Rachel Brennan was present at his death Not listed with the CWGC. He may be at rest in Greyabbey Cemetery, County Down, Northern Ireland

William John PRITCHARD. Rifleman 19171, 13th Royal Irish Rifles Born 22 August 1896 at Greyabbey to William and Mary Ann Pritchard, nee Bell of Ballywalter, County Down. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 4 Springvale, Ballywalter. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 20 Springvale. Enlisted 17 September 1914, died of double pneumonia, lobar, on the 26th October 1914 aged 19 at Holywood Military Hospital, Co. Down. His father was granted a war gratuity 13 March 1915 At rest in Greyabbey Cemetery, County Down, Northern Ireland

Samuel Hugh REGAN. Rifleman 19177, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 14 July 1885 to John and Catherine Regan, nee Reid. He married Elizabeth Johnston aged 17, 20 April 1900 at Holy Trinity, Ballywalter. 1901 residing with his widowed father and siblings at 10 Springvale. 1911 Residing with his wife at 8, Springvale, Ballywalter, he was aged 24, occupation, labourer. Notes from his army record- He joined up on the 17th September 1914 and was posted to Clandeboye Camp, near Bangor County Down. He gave his address as Tullycaney, County Down, occupation a labourer, aged 29 and 2 months and his wife was called Elizabeth. His next of kin was his wife Elizabeth and she is now living at Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter. While at the camp it fell ill and on the 16th March 1915 he was discharged under Para 392 (III)(CC) King's Regulations. On the 14th August 1917 he was on a medical board. He was discharged from the army as being physically unfit due to pulmonary tuberculosis which originated in February 1915 while at Clendeboye Camp. He complaint can be attributed to ordinary military service. He died of acute pulmonary tuberculosis at his home in Springvale, Co. Down on the 28th February 1918 aged 32. His wife was present at the time of death.

George Augustus Crosbie WARD. (OBE) Captain, Royal Navy Born 14 August 1865 in The Hill, Monkstown, Dublin, to Captain, The honourable Somerset Richard Hamilton Augustus Ward and Norah Mary Elizabeth Ward, nee Hill. He was married to Helen Margaret Joan, nee Worsley 1915 in the registration district of Brackley, Northamptonshire. Late resided at Newcastle, County Down. He entered into the navy as Cadet on the 15th January 1879. London Gazette dated 30 April 1889. He was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant London Gazette dated 2nd January 1902 he was promoted to Lieutenant. The 6th April 1920 aged 54 died at 12 Hinde Street, Manchester Square, Middlesex. Death is swallowed up in Victory

World War Two and one fallen Post World War Two in Northern Ireland In everlasting memory of

James McNeilly BELSHAW. Carpenter 142492, Merchant Navy on S.S. Kenbane Head (Belfast). Born on the 10 September 1904 at Ballywalter to John and Jane Belshaw, nee McNeilly. 1901 his parents were residing at 180 Ballywalter. Father in the Coastguard. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 10 Lackagh, nr Dawros, County Donegal. His father as Petty Officer, Coastguard. Resided at 2 Dunleath Terrace, Ballywalter. He was the husband of Jane of Ballywalter, County Down. Died at sea on the 5th November 1940 aged 36 at the result of the sinking of his ship by enemy shell fire from German battlecruiser. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Harry CROMIE Lance Corporal 1888355, 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, Born 10 December 1912 to Thomas and Eva Cromie, nee Brennan of Ballywalter. Died 23rd March 1942 aged 30. Memorial has Sapper, CWGC lists Henry Commemorated on the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.

David CROMIE. Stoker 1st Class, D/KX15720, Royal Navy on fast cruiser minelayer H.M.S. Abdiel (M39) Born 25 February 1924 to Albert and Agnes Cromie, of Ballywalter, Co. Down Died at sea on the 10th September 1943 aged 19. The ship was sunk by mines in the Taranto harbour, Italy, which had been laid hours earlier by two German torpedo boats S-54 and S-61.

Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Robert CROMIE. Gunner 1476595, 5th Battery, 2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Born 2 March 1908 to Robert and Martha Cromie, nee Semple of Ballywalter, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. 1911 residing with his parents at 12 Ballaghbeg, Newcastle, County Down, Ireland. Husband of Edith A. Cromie, of Ballywalter. Died 20th June 1942 aged 33. At rest in Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya.

All killed in action in the 1939 - 1945 war.

Post WW2 Northern Ireland

BIRCH, John, Private 24469635, 3rd Ulster Defence Regiment killed 9th April 1990 aged 28. He was killed by 1000 lb IRA landmine detonated by command wire as two land rovers passed. The explosion left a crater 50 feet long, 40 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Three of his colleagues died with him, Lance Corporal John Bradley, Private Michael Adams and Private Steven Smart. It was the Regiments largest single loss of life since four soldiers were killed in July 1983. John had previous service in the Irish Guards. His third child was born 4 months after his death. 184th UDR soldier to be killed. He is at rest in Whitechurch Cemetery, Ballywalter, County Down http://www.udrassociation.co.uk/roll_of_honour.php?id=51^{[dead link]}

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