remni october 17
TRANSCRIPT
October 17
remembrance ni
Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery
Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery is located 10.5 Kms west of Ieper town centre, in the town of Poperinge itself.
The town of Poperinghe (now Poperinge) was of great importance during the First World War because, although
Page 1
October 17
occasionally bombed or bombarded at long range, it was the nearest place to Ypres (now Ieper) which was both considerable in size and reasonably safe.
It was at first a centre for Casualty Clearing Stations, but by 1916 it became necessary to move these units further back and field ambulances took their places.
The earliest Commonwealth graves in the town are in the communal cemetery, which was used from October 1914 to March 1915. The Old Military Cemetery was made in the course of the First Battle of Ypres and was closed, so far as Commonwealth burials are concerned, at the beginning of May 1915.
The New Military Cemetery was established in June 1915.
Page 2
October 17
The Old Military Cemetery contains 450 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 24 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to seven casualties known or believed to be buried among them.
The graves of about 800 French and Belgian soldiers and nearly 500 civilians were removed from the cemetery after the Armistice.
For the most part, the civilians died in an epidemic of typhoid at the end of 1914, and were buried from an emergency hospital housed in a neighbouring chateau. After a typhoid epidemic erupted among the population in the winter of 1914 and the "Gasthuis" infirmary could no longer cope with the influx, a civilian hospital was set up in the castle in the Deken De Bolaan on the initiative of the 'Friends Ambulance Unit', a British civil society organization
Page 3
October 17
of volunteers. The 'Hôpital Château', led by the British doctor Rees, took in sick residents and refugees from January 1915, but soon many British wounded were also admitted to the castle.
Those who lost their lives in the castle D'Hondt, both civilians and British soldiers, were buried at the 'Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery' which used to be the garden of Hilaire Deraedt.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. The cemetery is freely accessible from sunrise to sunset.
On this Day - October 17 1914
HMS Undaunted and accompanying destroyers sink four German destroyers off the Dutch coast.
Armentières recaptured by Allied forces.First British submarines ("E.-1" and "E.-9") enter the Baltic.German submarines attempt raid on Scapa Flow.First units of Australian Imperial Force embark for France.
1915
The British government offers Cyprus to Greece, if she will fulfil her treaty obligations to Serbia.
General Sir William Birdwood takes over temporary command of Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from Sir Ian Hamilton.
Page 4
October 17
1916
Affairs in the Dakhla Oasis (West Egypt) begin .
1917
Murman cruisers raid convoy in North Sea and sink British destroyers "Strongbow" and "Mary Rose''
1918
Northern Whig
Ulster Division Rank & File Fatality
Lance-Corporal William John Russell, 5843, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, died of wounds received in action, 3rd October, 1918.
Son of Robert and Catherine Russell nee Best, of 6 Jennymount Street, Belfast. Deceased was 18 years of age and only two months shy of his 19th birthday, L/Cpl Russell is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium.
17th October 1918 Northern WhigUlster Division Rank & File Fatality Private David Currie, 42413, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, formerly 22571, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Died of wounds 8th October, 1918. Son of Richard and Agnes Currie nee O'Brien, of 6 Dickson Street, Belfast. Deceased was 19 years of age and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Ostend, Lille, and Douai retaken by Allied forces.Page 5
October 17
Battle of the Selle begins.
1939
German forces retook the remainder of the lost Saarland territory, captured by the French in early September. All French divisions had been ordered to retreat to the Maginot Line. The Phoney War had begun.
President Roosevelt prepares to sign an executive order closing all U.S. ports to submarines from belligerent nations.
1941
In Convoy SC-48 off Iceland, U-568 torpedoes destroyer USS Kearny; first US casualties of the war—11 killed, 22 wounded. U-boats sink seven other ships in Convoy SC-48.
US House of Representatives allow merchantmen to be armed.
Taganrog on the Sea of Azov is captured by Army Group South.
Page 6
October 17
Kimmel improves naval reconnaissance at Pearl Harbor but not 360-degree nor 24-hour patrols.
US Army Air Force establishes Air Service Command (supply and maintenance) under Brig. Gen. Henry Miller at Wright Field, OH.
1942
Luftwaffe abandons daylight raids against Malta.
Germans take Tractor Factory in Stalingrad.
Abel’s Field opens at Fasari, New Guinea, named after missionary Cecil Abel who constructed the airfield with native help.
1943
The US and Japan exchange 3,000 civilian prisoners in Goa.
Germans haul art from Monte Cassino Abbey to Rome as Allies approach; most of the monks, nuns, orphans, schoolchildren, and refugees go to Rome as well.
The last German auxiliary cruiser in Pacific, Michel, sunk by the US submarine Tarpon off Chi Chi Jima.
1944
German forces successfully repulse heavy Soviet attacks near Debrecen.
Eichmann returns to Hungary.
French halt offensive through Vosges Mountains toward Belfort Gap in France.
Page 7
October 17
Roll of Honour - October 17 Representing their comrades who died on this day
1914
+McCLELLAND, David
Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd Btn. Rifleman. 7678. Died 17/10/1914. Age 30. Brother of Robert McClelland, of 24, Mervile St., Belfast. Bethune Town Cemetery, France
1915
+McCULLY, ThomasScots Guards, 2nd Btn. Guardsman. 12607. Died 17/10/1915. Born on 16/06/1879 at Kirkinriola, Ballymena. Son of William McCully and Ellen Ritchie. He enlisted in Linlithgow. Husband to Sarah McCully,115 Greendykes Road, Broxburn. Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
1916
+GORMAN, Patrick
Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Btn. Private.17632. Died 17/10/1916. Age 45. Son of Michael and Catherine Gorman,
Page 8
October 17
of Portadown; husband of Elizabeth Gorman, of 12, Cunan St., Portadown. Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France
+McCRACKEN, Henry Joy
RFC. 111 Squadron. Lieutenant. Died 17/10/1917. Age 21. Gazetted as temporary Second Lieutenant, Cheshire Regiment, 26/08/1916. Recorded on Medal Index Card as General List, subsequently Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Recorded as having signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912. Son of Mr. H. J. McCracken, Austinville. Bloomfield, Belfast. Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
+MORTON, William Bertram
The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 19th Btn. Private. 21665. Died 17/10/1916. Hit by a shell when with a ration party bringing up supplies to the front line. He played hockey for Banbridge town and was an Irish international. He was working in Liverpool when war broke out and enlisted there. Age 33. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morton, of Enville, Banbridge. Theipval Memorial, Somme, France. Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge RH
1917
+DEMPSEY, Samuel
Royal Irish Rifles, 14th Btn. Rifleman. 14402. Died 17/10/1917. Monkstown, Whiteabbey. Hermies British Cemetery, France
+DUFFY, Alexander Thomas Petty Officer Stoker. 310731. HMS Mary Rose. Died 17/10/1917. Age 29. Killed in action protecting convoy in the
Page 9
October 17
North Sea. Enrolled 13/09/1906 for 12 years. War service in St. Vincent, Leanderland, Attentive II, Pembroke II and Diligence (Mary Rose 18/01/1916 - 17/10/1917). Born Belfast 13/08/1888. Husband to Agnes Duffy, Mackey St., Belfast. Chatham Naval Memorial. IMR. ADM 188/508/310731
+GROGAN, RowlandRoyal Field Artillery, 83rd Brigade, "D" Battery. Serjeant. 55416. MM. Died 17/10/1917. Age 29. Born in Coalisland about 1888. Address in Belfast during the war. Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt where the remains rest of Henry Joy McCracken
Page 10
October 17
+HAND, S
Royal Irish Rifles, 16th Btn. Rifleman. 351. Died 17/10/1917. Age 21. Son of William and Elizabeth Hand, of Mill Hill, Waringstown. Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery, France
+McCLENAGHAN, G
Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd Btn. Serjeant. 11408. Died 17/10/1917. Age 25. Native of Belfast. Husband to Mary E. McClenaghan, of 125, Newcome Rd., Fratton, Portsmouth. Bethune Town Cemetery, France
1918
+HAGAN, MatthewStaffordshire Yeomanry, 1st Btn. Private. 71398. Died 17/10/1918. Age 23. son of William and Matilda Hagan of Aughavey, Coagh, and educated at Tamlaght National School. He joined the North Irish Horse in the early months of the war and went to France, where he took part in some heavy engagements for 18 months. He was invalided home suffering from pleurisy. After spending some time in hospital he returned to his unit and volunteered again for overseas service. In late 1917 the North Irish Horse were temporarily disbanded and in January 1918 he was transferred to the Staffordshire Yeomanry. He contracted malaria from which he died while serving in Palestine. Beirut War Cemetery, Beirut. Coagh WM
+McKENNA, Daniel
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Private. 18458. Died 17/10/1918. Born in Clogher, County Tyrone where he
Page 11
October 17
resided. He enlisted in London. Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, Nord, France.
1940
+YOUNG, Robert Gilmour
RAF. Sergeant. 580690. Died 17/10/1940. Aged 21. Son of Hugh E. and Norah K. Young, of Londonderry. Runnymede Memorial Panel 21. Strand Presbyterian Church RH, Londonderry
1944
+TUOHY, AnthonyRoyal Ulster Rifles, 2nd Bn. Rifleman.14655365. Died 17/10/1944. Aged 19. Son of James and Mary Tuohy. Overloon War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
VETERANS
BEST, Alexander RN. Stoker I. SS114272. Enrolled 20/06/19913 for 5 and 7 years. War service in King George V, Leander, Attentive, Victory II, Pembroke II, Calyso and Dido. Demobbed 17/10/1919. Joined RFR 18/10/1919. Born Belfast 14/03/1894. ADM 188/1120/114272
BROWN, William JohnRN. Leading Seaman. J13788. Enrolled 18/10/1913 for 12 years. Served to 17/10/1925. War service in Vivid I,
Page 12
October 17
Adventure and Arvonian. Born Londonderry 18/10/1895. ADM 188/674/13788
BUCHANAN, WilliamRN. Stoker I. K25151. Enrolled 05/03/1915 for hostilities. Pembroke II, Actaeon, Cormorant and, Idaho. Invalided 17/10/1917. Born Belfast 29/10/1885. ADM 188/917/25151
Every day is a Remembrance Day
We will remember them
To return to Home Page - click on Remembrance NI masthead.
Are you on Facebook? Like the Remembrance Ni Facebook site to receive notice of new posts
Page 13
October 17
remembrance ni
The remembrance ni programme is overseen by Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, QVRM, TD who served as Chaplain to 102 and 105 Regiments Royal Artillery (TA), as Hon. Chaplain to RNR and as Chaplain to the RBL NI area and the Burma Star Association NI. Dr McKelvey is a Past President of Queen’s University Services Club. He may be contacted at [email protected]
Copyright - all material in this remembrance ni publication is copyright, and must not be reproduced in print or electronically.
Page 14