THE SOMME
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Rathcoole Friends of the Somme would like to thank Phil Hamilton, Nigel Henderson, John McCormick and John Dougan for their help and support throughout this project.
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ON THE 19TH MARCH 1916, THE SECOND AND THIRD MEN FROM THE 36TH ULSTER DIVISION ARE SHOT AT DAWN. BOTH MEN ARE FROM THE 15TH NORTH BELFAST ROYAL IRISH RIFLES — RIFLEMAN TEMPLETON AND RIFLEMAN MCCRACKEN. THESE WILL BE THE LAST TWO MEN TO BE SHOT AT DAWN FOR DESERTION UNTIL AFTER THE SOMME.
INTRODUCTION
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Rifleman John Hanna Rifleman Samuel Williamson Rifleman James Baird Lieutenant Robert Wilson MacDermott Rifleman James Crozier Rifleman John McCracken Rifleman James Templeton
Some of the men who served at the Somme participants researched include:
This book is the outcome of research undertaken by members of Rathcoole Friends of the Somme and East Antrim A.C.T. Initiative as part of the Home and Away project. Through the project, participants learned how to use a range of resources to research the Battle of The Somme and some of the local people from the 36th Ulster Division who served there. Participants also explored what else was going on in Ireland at the time using newspaper archives.
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Participants also researched Major Hugh Colvin, an English officer from the 8th Hussars Cheshire Regiment, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, and who is buried in Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey.
Information on each of the men is provided within this book, along with some of the locations in the Somme Battlefield that are relevant to them. A short-film featuring these locations has been developed and this is available, along with an exhibition, on the project website — www.rathcoole-somme.co.uk
ULSTER AND THE SOMME
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The Battle of the Somme holds a special significance in Northern Ireland because of the role of the 36th Ulster Division, commanded by Major-General Oliver Nugent. The 36th Ulster Division comprised members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, which was founded in 1912 in response to moves to introduce Home Rule (local self-government) in Ireland, which many thought would be detrimental to Protestants in Ireland, particularly in Ulster.
The Battle of the Somme was a major offensive by the armies of the British and French Empires against the forces of the German Empire. A series of offensives took place between the 1st July and 18th November 2016 in the Somme Valley in northern France. The first day of the Somme was the worst in the history of the British Army in terms of the numbers of casualties – a number totalling almost 60,000.
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Around the same time that the Ulster Volunteer Force was being established, a rival Irish Volunteers was formed, who successfully smuggled 1000 rifles in their own gunrunning operation. The Irish Volunteers would eventually split over nationalist politician John Redmond’s support for the British War effort, with many nationalist Irish Volunteers, ironically, fighting alongside their rival unionist Ulster Volunteers during the course of the Great War.
In April 1914, Operation Lion, more commonly known as the Gunrunning, saw 25,000 rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition smuggled from Europe landed in Larne, Donaghadee and Bangor to arm the Ulster Volunteer Force. The operation was organised by Major Fred Crawford, a British Army veteran and Captain Wilfred Spender, who would later serve with the 36th Ulster Division at the Battle of the Somme and win the Military Cross for his role in the attack on Thiepval.
Between the 24th and 29th April 1916, many of those Irish Volunteers who had not supported John Redmond and gone to serve in the Great War, took part in the Easter Rising, a rebellion which sought to end British involvement in Ireland. During the Easter Rising, two republican flags were raised at the General Post Office in Dublin’s O’Connell Street and republican leader Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The rebellion was ended by the British Army and Royal Irish Constabulary.
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That four Victoria Crosses were awarded to 36th Ulster Division soldiers for actions at the Battle of the Somme, is testament to their bravery and sacrifice.
At the same time, the armed forces of the British Empire were assembling for the Battle of the Somme. When the Somme offensive finally began on the 1st July, the Ulstermen were the only division to have achieved their objectives on the opening day of the battle. However, they sustained heavy casualties with 5,500 men missing, wounded and killed after two days. Some people have said that every family in Ulster was affected by loss in some way during the Battle of the Somme.
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THE FIRST DAY OF THE SOMME WAS THE WORST IN THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF CASUALTIES — A NUMBER TOTALLING ALMOST 60,000.
RESOURCES AND ARCHIVES
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Graves web search
of the subject of your research and locate the
Great War under its Discover 14/18 section.
provides some interesting information on the
easy to use database search, the website also
Graves Commission. As well as providing an
use the website of the Commonwealth War
Somme to visit a cemetery or memorial is to
A good starting point before any trip to the
www.cwgc.org
The National Archives provide a range of sources relating to the Great War including the War Diaries and medal records.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
The National Archives
commemorative certificate.
location. The site also allows you to download a
can use the Find a Cemetery search to find the
Graves Commission
Report and Registers. Once you have found
downloaded including the Graves Registration
range of information provided that can be
in which their name is inscribed. There is a
the name of the cemetery or memorial, you
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of Commonwealth War
a form which enables you to fill in the details cemetery where they are buried or the memorial
See page 14 for example
Following the link for Find War Dead provides
Commonwealth War
A wide range of resources are available for undertaking research into people who served during the Battle of the Somme and the Great War. Thankfully, much is available online, making research accessible from the home, school, local library or community group. Libraries also hold a range of newspaper resources which are useful for reference.
Medal records can also be found in the National Archives and accessed using a similar search feature including Surname, Forename and Regimental Number. The medal record includes amongst other information the soldier’s rank, unit, regimental number, medal entitlement and sometimes the first theatre
The diaries of the 107 Brigade, 108 Brigade and 109 Brigade of the 36th Ulster Division can be found in the archives using the search feature. These can be downloaded for a small fee.
The British Army war diaries can be accessed online at The National Archives. The diaries record a range of information such as daily losses and map references. Some diaries provide more information than others, and can include reports on operations and intelligence summaries. Some maps and plans were also included in the original diaries. The diaries provide a unique source of information on what happened at Battle of the Somme.
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Libraries also offer free access to Ancestry, a website (www.ancestry.co.uk) which provides records including index cards, medal rolls and Ireland’s casualties of World War 1. You can also access Ancestry from home using your own computer, but this requires an Ancestry subscription which currently costs £13.99 per month or £119.99 annually.
Libraries hold a range of records including archives of regional newspapers such as The Belfast Telegraph, The Irish News and The News Letter. These provide useful references including reports of events during the Battle of The Somme, events happening locally in Ireland, as well as obituaries and photos of servicemen.
Libraries
of war in which they served and when they entered that theatre. web search
of National Archives
See page 15 for example
cemeteries and memorials at The Somme.
research and want to explore more widely the
useful for those who are serious about their
though are expensive. The GPS version is
Trench and war maps are available online,
www.greatwardigital.com
Great War Digital
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Commonweath War Graves Commision web search
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National Archives web search
THE SOMME
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The German cemetery is no longer there.
Miramount Cemetery is the last known location of Rifleman John Hannah’s grave. He was captured by the Germans and later died at their hands.
The casualty register gives the casualties in alphabetical order. It tells us that John Hanna is in the Miramount memorial and there is a map to the grave location.
Within the cemetery registry box, there are 2 books. One is a visitors’ book — it is advisable that, if you do visit, you bring a pen so you can leave a comment. There is also a casualty register, which gives you a list of the casualties as well as historical information about the cemetery.
Rifleman John Hanna is buried in Queen’s Cemetery, Bucquoy. The cemetery, like all the cemeteries visited during our research is managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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Rifleman John Hanna — Graves Registration Report
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An image from Miramount Cemetery
Rifleman Samuel Williamson was aged 16 when he died. Our research has shown that
Plot 1, Row A, Grave 5 — Rifleman James Crozier was a soldier shot at dawn, the first soldier from the 36th Ulster Division to be shot at dawn. He was the second soldier from the 107th Brigade to face court-martial for desertion. The first was Lieutenant Annadale, who would later be discharged from the army. It is worth noting that three men from the 107th Brigade pre-Somme will be shot at dawn. This comes as no surprise — when you read Major General Nugent’s book — he calls the 107th Brigade, the Belfast Boys, ill disciplined.
Our research led us to Sucrerie Cemetery, Colincamps, a very historical cemetery for the 36th Ulster Division. Many of the Battalions within the 36th Ulster Division have their first casualties buried in the cemetery. This includes the graves of Rifleman James Crozier, Rifleman Samuel Williamson and Rifleman James Baird.
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Corporal Bradshaw is buried in MaillyMaillet Cemetery. Unfortunately he died after Rifleman Baird rescued him. The cemetery also holds many 36th Ulster Division casualties.
There are many stories of heroism that have been unrecognised. Rifleman James Baird is one. The bugler for the 15th Battalion, North Belfast Volunteers, he made the ultimate sacrifice — losing his life rescuing a Corporal in no-man’s land.
he is possibly one of the youngest pre-Somme casualties. We know for a fact that he was in France from the age of 15.
Rifleman James Crozier
James Baird &
Williamson, Bugler
Rifleman Samuel
artefacts relating to
See page 20 – 22 for
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Rifleman Sameual Williamson
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Bugler James Baird
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Rifleman James Crozier
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RIFLEMAN S. WILLIAMSON, ROYAL IRISH RIFLES, KILLED IN ACTION. HIS MOTHER RESIDES IN 55 MOUNTCOLLYER ROAD, BELFAST.
NO MAN’S LAND
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In November 1915, for three months the 36th Ulster Division change. The 107 Brigade — the Belfast Boys — are attached to the 4th Division. They hold the line from Redden Ridge, all the way to Auchonvillers. The aids we have used to find this location are the Linesman GPS, The War Diaries and other reference books. Towards Auchonvillers, the 8th Battalion East Belfast Royal Irish Rifles, and the 10th Battalion, South Belfast Royal Irish Rifles were holding the trenches.
The British front line trenches were manned by the 9th West Belfast Royal Irish Rifles, rotated by the 15th Battalion, North Belfast Royal Irish Rifles.
An image from No Man’s Land today
There is a 36th Ulster Division connection at Auchonvillers. Some people believe Rifleman James Crozier was held in a cellar there, during his court martial and prior to his execution for desertion.
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Cellar at Auchonvillers
On the 19th March 1916, the second and third men from the 36th Ulster Division are shot at dawn. Both men are from the 15th North Belfast Royal Irish Rifles — Rifleman Templeton and Rifleman McCracken. These
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will be the last two men to be shot at dawn for desertion until after the Somme.
Rifleman McCracken and Rifleman Templeton graves
Some historians say that Rifleman Crozier
The court-martials of the four men from the Belfast Boys took place in this building in Mailly-Maillet.
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was shot within the grounds, while others say he was shot in the Village. However, we know for certain that the men from the 36th Ulster Division faced court-martial in this building. Three of the men were shot at dawn.
The house where court-martials took place
Auchonvillers cemetery, 8th January 1916. The 8th Battalion, East Belfast Royal Irish Rifles lose an officer — 2nd Lieutenant MacDermott, the first 36th Ulster Division Officer to be killed
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in action. Also killed with him that day were Corporal Murphy and Rifleman Connor.
2nd Lieutenant MacDermott’s grave, Auchonvillers cemetery
2nd Lieutenant MacDermott was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force. Within ten metres of his grave is Corporal Dunlea, a member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The inscription on the bottom of his headstone says he was an
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Irish Volunteer. Had it not been for the Great War, no doubt these two men would be fighting against one another in Ireland.
An image from outside Mailly-Maillet
With the Ancre River splitting up the 108th Brigade, on the other side, the 9th Armagh Royal Irish Fusiliers, and the 12th Central Antrim Royal Irish Rifles were fighting. Beaumont-Hamel train station was one of their
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objectives on the 1st July 1916. Unfortunately, by the time the men reached the station, there was only a handful left and they had to return to the starting point. The attack in this sector had failed.
An image from Beaucourt-Hamel
The 108th Brigade Battle Ground for the Central Antrim’s and the Armagh’s, attacking the German front line. Unfortunately, after an unsuccessful attempt to break the German line, the attack fails. On the left hand flank, the 29th
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Division attack fails. All is lost in this sector. But there is hope for the 36th Ulster Division. The attack on the right hand side of the Ancre river is going to plan.
An image from Sucrerie Cemetery
The 109th Brigade attacking from the Thiepval Wood up until the German B line, the attack is going to plan.
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An image from where the German line would have been today
The pivotal moment in the battle. The 32nd Division attack has failed. It looks like Thiepval will not be taken.
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Battleground with Thiepval Memorial in the background
With the 29th Division attack also failing on the left hand flank, German attention on the left flank and the right flank is directed onto the attacking 36th Ulster Division soldiers.
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Another image from the German line today
The 107th Brigade is asked to go in support of the 109th Brigade in this battlefield. Major General Nugent knows that all is not going to plan. He asked Corps Commander General Moorland not to send the men, but this is
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over-ruled. He commits the 107th Brigade to the attack, yet moments later word came from Moorland not to send them. It’s too late — the 107th Brigade have started the attack.
Queen’s Cemetery, Bucquoy
The first objective for the 36th Ulster Division — the German D Line just outside Grandcoeur. By the time the 36th Ulster Division get there, only a handful of men were left, but they reached their objective. Many of their comrades lay dead in the field or lay
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wounded. Without ammunition, food and water, the men achieved what people said they could not. If you look about the battlefield today, you’ll see reminders of that terrible battle they would call the bloody Somme.
An old shell lying on the battleground
Ulster Tower was built in 1921, the first memorial on the Western Front. It is a replica of Helen’s Tower, which is situated in Clandeboye estate. This is where the 36th
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Ulster Division did their training — Ulster Tower is a home from home.
Ulster Tower
Thiepval Memorial to the missing is the largest on the Western Front. It commemorates over 72,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom and South Africa who have no know grave.
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Thiepval Memorial
Philippe Skrzypczak Mayor of Mesnil-Martinsart.
“WE HAVE A LITTLE STORY RELATING TO THE GREAT WAR IN OUR VILLAGE, MESNILMARTINSART. DURING THE WAR, THE CLOCK HANDS ON THE CHURCH REGULATED THE GERMAN ARTILLERY FIRE. THEY WERE REMOVED BY THE 14TH BATTALION YCV. AFTER THE WAR, ON THE 13TH JULY 1927, THE WERE PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR BY MAJOR MULHOLLAND.”
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An image of the old clock in Mesnil-Martinsart
MAJOR HUGH COLVIN V.C.
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Major Hugh Colvin, The Chesire Regiment’s V.C. died in a Bangor hospital in County Down. He was 75 years of age. Major Colvin won his V.C. “for most conspicuous bravery in attack”. He was a Burnley man who enlisted in the Eighth Hussars in 1904 and was commissioned on the field to the Second Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, in 1917. He served in India until 1914 and then in France, where he was
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Major Colvin was 30 years of age and a Second-Lieutenant when he won the Victoria Cross. He also earned the trio of medals also known as: The Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. His qualifying date for the trio of medals was 11th November 1914 and the medals are as follows, 1914 Star (Mons Star) British War and Victory Medal and his unit was the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line. (8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars).
The Cheshire Regiment has had two of its soldiers awarded the V.C. — Major Colvin and Private T. Jones, of Runcorn, who is also dead. Major Colvin was buried with military honours at Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey.
He was later an Army recruiting officer at Chester and Preston, and for many years lived in Sandhurst Avenue, Bispharn, Blackpool.
commissioned on the field in 1917 to 2nd Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment.
“He and his two men were themselves attacked by 15 of the enemy under an officer. His men became casualties but he seized a rifle, shot
“With two men he went to a dug-out, left them on top and entered alone, emerging with 14 prisoners. He dealt similarly with a second dug-out which had been holding up the attack, killed or made prisoners of the crew and took a machine-gun,
“During an attack when all the officers of his company except himself — and all but one in the leading company — had become casualties he assumed command of both companies and led them forward with great dash under heavy machine-gun fire.
His citation for the Victoria Cross reads:
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Major Hugh Colvin V.C. records
The Dead March echoed over the Antrim hills as the funeral of Major Hugh Colvin, V.C., led by the band of the 1st/3rd East Anglian Regiment, moved to Carnmoney Cemetery. Full military honours were given with a guard of honour from the East Anglian Regiment. After a service conducted by Rev. J. Dwyer Kelly three volleys were fired over the grave and four buglers sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries.
“Colvin then cleared other dug-outs either alone or with one man, taking, in all, about 50 prisoner. Later, he consolidated his position with great skill and personally wired his front under heavy close-range sniping in broad daylight.
five of the enemy and using another as a shield, forced most of the survivors to surrender.
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Major Hugh Colvin V.C. retired from his position of Army Recruiting Officer at Preston in 1947, after holding the appointment for nine years. He retired to Blackpool and was succeeded as District Recruiting Officer at Preston by Lieutenant-Colonel G.M.S. McAlister, North Staffordshire Regiment. In all, Major Colvin had 43 years Army service, having enlisted in 1904.
Major Hugh Colvin’s V.C. funeral in Newtownabbey
NEWSPAPERS AT HOME
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Despite the scale of the war effort, the newspapers carried adverts for a range of products and items. With department store Anderson and McAuley, the focus is very much on the fashionable as opposed to the utilitarian and getting by.
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Belfast News Letter 24th June 1916
Raleigh bikes are advertised as “guaranteed for ever”, demonstrating the quality of the workmanship. Harry Ferguson advertises “motor cars for hire”, highlighting the cost of owning the car at that time. Car ownership was outside the reach of most people, except the wealthy.
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The Belfast Evening Telegraph carries the story of Sir Roger Casement, a senior Irish Republican being sentenced to death after his trial, noting he gave a “defiant speech”.
The implications of the Easter Rising and fear and suspicion of Home Rule continue to appear in print.
RIGHT — Belfast Evening Telegraph, 30th June 1916 LEFT — Belfast News Letter 24th June 1916
The paper also includes a story of a “crowd numbering several hundred, composed mostly of boys and young men, paraded some of the Dublin streets last night, carrying Republican flags and singing disloyal songs.” Another article reports “Nationalist intolerance in Donegal” and warns of a “foretaste of home rule”.
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LEFT & RIGHT Belfast Evening Telegraph, 30th June 1916
The Belfast News Letter reports the postponement of the July holiday season in Belfast’s shipyards. The paper notes that “it is obvious that if one large section of the community were on holidays in July and another in August, dislocation of business would ensue and there would be widespread inconvenience and dissatisfaction.”
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Both the News Letter and Belfast Evening Telegraph report the commencement of the Battle of The Somme.
RIGHT BOTTOM — Belfast News Letter Article 3rd of July 1916 RIGHT TOP — Belfast Telegraph Article 3rd July 1916 LEFT — Belfast Newsletter July 1916
The Belfast News Letter reports demonstrate the scale of the war in Europe, recording Russian successes against the Germans in Bukowina.
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Belfast News Letter 24th June 1916
Excerpt from the Belfast News
“AS IT HAS BEEN DECIDED, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE NECESSITIES OF THE WAR, TO POSTPONE THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN THE BELFAST SHIPYARDS UNTIL THE 7TH AND 8TH OF AUGUST…”
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