* Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Deane

Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Deane Killed in action at Gaba Tepe, Anzac, 3rd may 1915, age 22.

Thomas Alexander David Deane Lieutenant Royal Marine Light Infantry Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division 03/05/1915 Age 22 . Address: Bray, County Wicklow. Only son of Sir Thomas Manly Deane, B.A., and Lady Deane (nee Wright), of Erw-Lydan, Penmaenmawr, Carnarvonshire. Formerly of Dublin.  Sir Thomas was a prominent architect who designed three buildings of note in Dublin, Ireland. These are the National Museum and National Library on Kildare Street and also in the 1937 Reading Room in Trinity College Dublin.


Irish Independent; Second Lieutenant T. A. D. Deans, RMLI, who is reported from the Dardanelles as missing, is the only son of Sir Thomas M Deane, B.A., RHA. Ailesbury Park, Dublin. He received his commission in February. Previously he had been a member of the Dublin University Officers Training Corps.

Irish Times. Bray Memorial Service. The name of Lieutenant T M Deane, son of Sir Thomas Deane, was by accident omitted from the list of Old Ardvonians who have fallen. Lieutenant Deane, a most promising young officer, was killed in action in the Dardanelles early in May last.

The Weekly Irish Times. Ireland’s Roll of Honour. May 29, 1915. Second Lieutenant T A D Deane. On May 14, we reported that second Lieutenant Thomas A D Deane, R.M.L.I., Portsmouth Battalion Royal Naval Division, was reported under date 10th May, as missing in operations at the Dardanelles, and it is now reported that he is killed. He was the only son of Sir Thomas M Deane, B.A., R.H.A., of Ailesbury Park, Dublin. Panel 2 to 7 Helles Memorial in Turkey.

Source: Tom Burnell, war historian.

* Richard Gardiner Brewster

Richard Gardiner Brewster

Richard Gardiner Brewster. Second Lieutenant 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment. Killed in action on the 25th of March 1918 aged 25. He was the son of Susan M. Brewster, of "Audenville," Iona Rd., Glasnevin, Dublin, and the late William Theodore Brewster. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

Source: http://irishmedals.org/some-irishen-kia-ww1.html


The Erasmian October 1918

R. G. Brewster (1905-07), 2nd Lieut., Special Cavalry Reserve, serving with the Lancers, was reported in our last number as missing, but it has since been announced that he was killed on March 21st last. 

He was the son of Mr. W. T. Brewster, of Audenville, Iona Road, Glasnevin, and when leaving school took first place in the United Kingdom in the Second Division Civil Service Examination. When the war broke out he was employed in the Department of Agriculture; he and his brother Theo both joined up at once in the South Irish Horse, and he served with the First Expeditionary Force from August 17th, 1914, took part in the retreat from Mans, in the battles of the Marne and the Aisne and the first battle of Ypres. 

He obtained his Commission in November, 1916, and returned to France in April, 1917. Until his death in March at Roussoy, near St. Quentin, he had come right through the war scatheless. Everyone who knew him will remember his bright, cheerful disposition, and straightforward honourable character. His brother is now a 2nd Lieut. in the Lancers.

* Captain Cecil James Dodds

Captain Cecil James Dodds

Captain Cecil J. Dodds, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 22nd Sept., 1916, was educated at High School and Mountjoy School, Dublin. He obtained in December, 1914, a commission in the Royal Irish Regiment, and was shortly afterwards transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers. In July, 1915, he went with the 10th Division to Gallipoli, taking part in the landing at Suvla Bay, and subsequent operations on the Peninsula till its evacuation, when he proceeded to Salonika. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Dodds, 18 Charleville Road, Rathmines, Dublin.Source:  Irish Life Magazine 24 November 1916 (David Power)

* Capt George Grant Duggan

George Grant Duggan. Captain 5th Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers. Son of George and Emilie Duggan, of Ferney, Greystones, Co. Wicklow; husband of Dorothy Duggan, of Glenvar, St. Kevin's Park, Rathgar, Dublin. B.A., Trinity College Dublin 1908, Lieutenant Officer Training Corps Unattached List February 1913. Captain R. I. Fus. October 1914. Member of the Dublin University Athletic Union; also an Irish International cross country runner. Died from wounds received Dardanelles 16th of August 1915. Remembered on the Helles Memorial Turkey.
Source:  http://irishmedals.org/some-irishen-kia-ww1.html








Source: Irish Life Magazine 24 September 1915

Captain George Grant Duggan, 5th Batt. R. I. Fusiliers, who died from wounds received in action at Gallipoli on August 16th last, was the third son of Mr. George Duggan, Manager of the Provincial Bank, College Street, Dublin. He was educated at the High School and subsequently entered Trinity, where he had a brilliant University career. He was a member of the Officers’ Training Corps, where he showed exceptional efficiency. In September, 1914, he joined the 5th Batt. Royal Irish Fusiliers. Capt. Duggan was a noted athlete and one of the finest longdistance and cross-country runners that Trinity College has ever possessed.

* Second Lieutenant John Roswell Duggan

Second Lieutenant John Roswell Duggan died 16th August 1915, in Gallipoli, on the same day as his brother, Captain G.G. Duggan.

Irish Life Magazine:  24 September 1915

Lieutenant J. R. Duggan, 5th Batt. Royal Irish Regiment, was killed in action at Gallipoli on August 16th last, the same day on which his elder brother, Captain Duggan, received the wounds from the effects of which he died. He was the youngest son of Mr. J. R. Duggan, Provincial Bank, College Street, who has thus lost two sons in the service of their country. Two other sons are also on active service. Lieut. J. R. Duggan was educated at the High School and subsequently at Trinity College, where he entered the Medical School. On the outbreak of the war he at once offered his services and was gazetted to the 5th Batt. Royal Irish Regiment.  5th Batt. Royal Irish Regiment

* Second Lieutenant James Graves Ellis

J.G. Ellis 'Our Heroes - 1914-1916'. 

Second Lieutenant James Graves Ellis

Birth: 1887

County Dublin, Ireland 

Death: Oct. 11, 1915

Gallipoli, Turkey 

Second Lieutenant James Graves St. John Ellis.

The Royal Engineers.

Died aged 28.

Son of William Edward Ellis LL.D., LL.B., and Edith Annie Graves Ellis, of Dublin.

Husband of Florence Kathleen Kennedy Ellis, of 4, Rugby Terrace, Rugby Road, Belfast.

An Assistant Engineer, C.P.R.

Educated at  The High School and  Andrew's College, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Trinity College, Dublin, B.A.I.

James G. St. J. Ellis, son of William E. Ellis and Edith A. Graves, married Florence K. Kennedy, daughter of William G. Kennedy and Kate Kerr, on 1 August 1912, at Boston, Massachusetts.

for further details, see the bio of his father.

Family links:

Parents: William Edward Ellis (1854 - 1926)

Edith Anne Graves Ellis (1859 - 1941)

Burial: Hill 10 Cemetery, Suvla

Gallipoli

Canakkale, Turkey

Plot: III.A.2. 

Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56422853

* A.C.Edwards

A.C.Edwards Australian Artillery

* Lance Sergeant Charles Arthur Findlater

Source: 'The Pals of Suvla Bay - by Henry Hanna

Lance Sergeant Charles Arthur Findlater.   He was killed in action on the 13th November, 1916, in the big battle on the Somme front.
Lance Serjeant, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Age: 46. Burial:  Tincourt New British Cemetery Tincourt-Boucly Departement de la Somme Picardie, France
Plot: VI. J. 7.
Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56572183

14646 Lance Sergeant
Charles Arthur FINDLATER
Died of wounds as POW on the 13th November 1916 - Age 46
Rest in peace in Tincourt New British Cemetery

Source:  http://somme-roll-of-honour.com/Units/british/10th_dublin.htm

14646 L/Sergeant Charles Arthur Findlater, 10th Battalion. Born Dublin, Resided Dublin, Enlisted Blackrock. KIA 13 Nov 1916  Source: http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/battaliions/10-batt/other-ranks/named-or.html 

* Flight Cadet George Finney

Photo Source

Flight Cadet George Finney, was accidentally killed at New Romney, in 1918.  He was born in 1900, in Dublin, making him just 18 years old when he died.

Flight Cadet Service No: TR/8/25444
Date of Death: 01/08/1918 Age: 18
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force and 53rd Bn. Hampshire Regiment Grave Reference Cemetery KENNINGTON CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of George and Eda Finney, of St. John's Cottage, Bagley Wood, Oxford.

Source:  http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/648621/FINNEY,%20GEORGE

Listed in the 1901 Census living at Rathgar Road, Dublin. 

Irish Times. Finney-August 1, 1918, killed as the result of an aeroplane accident, Flight Cadet George Finney, Royal Air Force, son of George and Ede Finney, St John’s Cottage, Bagley Wood, Oxford, and formerly of Rathgar, County Dublin. 

The Irish Times, August 1, 1923. 
Roll of Honour.(1914-1918). In Memoriam. Finney-Fifth Anniversary-In loving memory of George Finney, Flight Cadet, H.M.Royal Air Force, accidentally killed at New Romney, during aerial tactics, on 1st August, 1918, aged 18 years, only son of George and Eda Finney, St John’s Cottage, Bagley Wood, Oxford, formerly of Alma ----, Rathgar Road, County Dublin. Kennington Cemetery, Berkshire.

* Second Lieutenant Donald Lockhart Fletcher

Second Lieutenant Donald Lockhart Fletcher

Second Lieut. Donald Lockhart Fletcher, Leinster Regiment, third son of Mr.George Fletcher, of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, was born on July 15, 1897, was educated at Dublin High School and was an undergraduate of Trinity College when he was granted a commission in the 4th Leinster Regiment in May, 1915. A month or two later he had a narrow escape from death in the accident to the Irish mail near Weedon. He went to the Macedonian front in May, 1916, and died on April 28th, 1917, from wounds received in action. Lieutenant Fletcher had previously been mentioned in despatches.


Source: Irish life Magazine: 29 June 1917 (David Power)

Two Sons Killed Almost on the Same Day, The Waterford News - 11th of May 1917, Page 8
Courtesy of The Waterford News

TWO SONS KILLED ALMOST ON SAME DAY. 

Mr. George Fletcher, assistant secretary to the Department- well known in Waterford, where he periodically inspects the Technical Institute classes-has lost a second son, Sec.-Lieut. D. L. Fletcher, in the war. The poignancy of the loss is intensified by the fact that the announcement of it has followed almost immediately on the intimation of Lieut. Arnold Fletcher. Sec.-Lieut. Donal Lockhart Fletcher, of the Leinster Regt., died of wounds on April 12th at Salonika at the age of 20. He was educated at Dublin High School, entered Dublin University on April 27th, 1914, and joined the army on May 22nd, 1915. His gallant conduct won him mention in despatches.
Source: Ask About Ireland .com Here

Donald Lockhart Fletcher Second Lieutenant Leinster Regiment 4th Battalion, attached to 6th Battalion. 28/04/1917 Age 20. Died Son of George and Henrietta Maria Fletcher, of "Mona," Shankill, County Dublin. Native of Derby. VII. B. 14. Struma Military Cemetery in Greece. (Source: Tom Burnell, war historian)

* Sgt. George Robert Fox

Sgt. George Robert Fox

Sergeant George Robert Fox 
Died: August 26, 1918

Regimental Number:	1565	Survived War:	No
Force:	Army	Regiment:	Canadian Infantry
Battalion:	Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry	Company:
Place of Birth:	Harold's Cross Co, Dublin	Country:	Ireland
Next of Kin:	Mrs. E.M. Fox, Bridge Howe, Wicklow, Ireland	Address at Enlistment:
Date of Birth:	March 13, 1892	Trade or Calling:	Stock Rider
Marital Status:	Married	Prior Military Experience:	Yes
Place of Enlistment:	Ottawa, Ontario	Date of Enlistment:	August 25, 1914
Age at enlistment:	22	Height:	5 Feet 9 Inches
Chest:	37 Inches	Expansion:	3 Inches
Religion:	Church of England	Enlisted or Conscripted:	Enlisted
Saw service in:	Europe
Cause of Death:	Killed in Action	Battle Died/Wounded:
Date of Death:	August 26, 1918	Age at Death:	26
Buried at:	Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France	Plot:	IV. C. 13.
Commemorated:
Prisoner of war:	No	Interned:
Gender:	Male	Ethnic Origin:	Not Specified

LAC Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3252-43

Canadian Virtual War Memorial Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Rank	Regiment	Unit	Company
Sergeant	Canadian Infantry	Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Son of William Bethel Fox and Elizabeth Margaret Fox, of Ireland; husband of Elizabeth Mary Kearon (formerly Fox), of West St., Polruan, Fowey, Cornwall, England. Born at Harold's Cross, Dublin. Joined the P.P.C.L.I. in August 1914 [an original]. Wounded May 7, 1915. Killed near Monchy.

Source:  http://canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=11701

* Corporal William James Francis

“ a most willing and thoroughly reliable soldier, especially when acting on his own responsibility.” 

According to Corporal Francis's army service records, he was 21 years old, 5ft 5in, and working as a civil servant when he enlisted in 36th Ulster Division, Cyclists Company, Bangor, County Down.  He enlisted on 30th December, 1914, in Dublin.  After being vaccinated twice in the left arm, then re-vaccinated four times in the right, he was ready to leave for France, embarking on 3rd October, 1915.  He was almost immediately promoted to the rank of corporal.  

At one point, after being hospitalized, he requested to be demoted to private, and briefly returned to the U.K. but was soon back in France and rose through the ranks again.  Six months after he was re-promoted to corporal, he was killed in action, on the 6th of July, 1917.  
He left no widow, nor children; his next of kin was given as his father, Frederick William Francis, to whom the notice of his death was sent, along with the articles that were found in his possession:  Discs, correspondence, purse, testament, pouch, 4 coins, buttons, flag.
He was awarded the British War medal 1914-19, the 1914-15 Star Medal and the Victory Medal (all posthumously).  They too were sent home to his grieving father, at 18 Pembroke Cottages, Merrion, Dublin.
Source: Ancestry.com (Michelle Burrowes, researcher.)


William, who was known as Willie, was a Corporal in the Army Cyclist Corps - 10th Battalion.

The lady, Pearl, who took this photo has since passed away.
We are very grateful to her for all her volunteering.

Role
'The primary roles of the cyclists were reconnaissance and communications (message taking). They were armed as infantry and could provide mobile firepower if required. Those units that went overseas continued in these roles but also (one the mobile phase of war had settled down into entrenched warfare) spent much time in trench-holding duties and on manual work.'  Source:  http://www.1914-1918.net/armycyclistcorps.html 'The Long, Long Trail'.  

His unit was attached to X (10th batt.) Corps Cyclist Battalion. 36 Division were part of X Corps for the Battles of the Somme,but not for later Battles at Messines in mid-1917 when the Cyclists were a resource for the Corps Commander.  His gravestone says " Our only one", as presumably requested by his parents at the time, (being as he was an only child). He is buried at Oak Dump Cemetery,Ypres, in Plot H5,which he shares with 682989 Pte.S G Speller of 22 London Regiment,who was killed on the same day.
His Medal Index Card shows his number as 729 and a date into France of 4 Oct 1915.  
Source:  cb http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=206006

Willie died, 6th July, 1917, at just 23 years of age.  He was the only son of Frederick William and Amelia Jane Francis, of 18, Pembroke Estate Cottages, Merrion, County Dublin. 

The Weekly Irish Times. Ireland’s Roll of Honour. August 11, 1917. 

Corporal William James Francis, Army Cyclist Corps, who was killed by a fragment of a shell on 6th July last whilst on duty near the fornt line, was the only child of Mr and Mrs Francis, Merrion, County Dublin. 

He was born in 1893, and educated at the High School, Harcourt Street. On the outbreak of war he was employed as a clark in the Congested Districts Board, where he was held in high esteem by his colleages. He enlisted in the Ulster Division Cyclist Company in December, 1914, and had been engaged in several actions in different parts of the western front. 

His Company Commander has stated that Corporal Francis was “ a most willing and thoroughly reliable soldier, especially when acting on his own responsibility.” 

The Irish Times, July 6, 1923. Roll of Honour.(1914-1918). 

In Memoriam. Francis-In affectionate remembrance of our beloved only child, William James (Willie) Francis, Corporal, Army Cyclist Corps, killed in action, at Hollebeke, 6th July, 1917…….Francis-Willie, killed in Flanders July 6, 1917. “He loved honour and duty more than he feared death.” Gratefully and affectionately remembered by Aunt Annie, Walter, and George. H. 5. Oak Dump Cemetery in Belgium.
Source:  Tom Burnell, war historian.

Cemetery: Oak Dump Cemetery
Country: Belgium
Area: Ieper West-Vlaanderen
Rank: Corporal
Official Number: 729
Unit: 10th Bn. Army Cyclist Corps.
Force: Army
Nationality: British
Details:
Killed in action 6th July 1917. Age 23. Only son of Frederick William and Amelia Jane Francis of 18 Pembroke Estate Cottages Merrion Co. Dublin. H. 5.
source: http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=3054268

United Kingdom Corporal Army Cyclist Corps 10th Bn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 06/07/1917 Service No: 729 H.5.
source:  http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/oakdump.htm

* Private George James Gibson

In memory of Private George William Gibson who died on October 15, 1918

'Private Gibson died on April 19th, at Halifax Military Hospital, as the result of gas poisoning. He was the youngest son of Mr. Edward Gibson, of Mary Street. His elder brother, Innes E. Gibson, who is serving in the Motor Transport in France, will be remembered for his trick cycling at the athletic sports.?? '

(Note: Erasmian  calls him George William Gibson.  This may be a different soldier.)

Service Number: 150926 

Age: 27 Force: Army Unit: Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) Division:  8th Bn.

Additional Information:

Date and Place of Birth: April 30, 1891 Dublin, Ireland
Son of James and Elizabeth Gibson, of Wallasey, Cheshire, England. Cemetery:
CHAPEL CORNER CEMETERY, SAUCHY-LESTREE; Pas de Calais, France Grave Reference: J. 7.
Commemorated on Page 414 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.

Source: Here

* Lieutenant Albert Fisher Gibson

Lieutenant Albert Fisher Gibson who killed in action on his 21st birthday.

Albert Fisher Gibson. 4th Battalion The Leinster Regiment attached to the 4th Squadron The Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action on the 24th of March 1917. He was the son of Robert Dane Gibson and Amy Gibson, of 20, Morehampton Road, Dublin. He is buried in Beugnatre Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Source:  http://irishmedals.org/some-irishen-kia-ww1.html

* Lieutenant Ernest Edward Glorney

Lieutenant Ernest Edward Glorney's  family named an educational foundation in his memory: The Ernest Edward Glorney Scholarship in Earth Science & Engineering, which is still funding research today.

On 25th Oct., 1916, as part of his work with the Royal Flying Corps., he was sent to England to bring back a plane to France, but crashed over Ashford, Kent, owing to a wing defect. His commanding officer wrote to his family:  'We were all devoted to your son, a fine pilot and a delightful companion; to lose him like that is a great blow to us all."
Source: De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour

GLORNEY, was born in 1887. He was the youngest son of the late George Glorney and Mrs. Glorney, of Dublin, and was educated in The High School, Dublin. A mining engineer, he graduated from Columbia University, New York, and the Royal School of Mines, South Kensington, and was a member of the Institute of Mines and Metallurgy. He followed his profession in North and South America, South Africa, and Nigeria. At the outbreak of war he held the position of mining engineer and manager of the Renang Tin Mining

Glorney Family Tomb Deansgrange, Blackrock.

Company, Siam, which position he gave up in order to return to England and join the Royal Flying Corps. He received his commission early in 1916 and took rapidly to aviation, his instruction officers pronouncing him to be one of the ablest pilots they had turned out.  He went with his squadron to the front, witnessing the Somme bombardment, but died on a flying mission over England.
Source: Here

'His sister Ethel set up a number of medical foundations, and also established a number of educational scholarships in memory of her late younger brother, Ernest Edward Glorney.

' Edward Glorney, born circa 1887 at 2 Belgrave Park, Rathmines. At the outset of the First World War he joined the Royal Flying Corps and died on the 25th of October 1916. He had graduated from Columbia College New York and the Royal School of Mines South Kensington as a mining engineer. He worked abroad in North and South America and in Nigeria. Prior to joining up, he was working as the manager of the Renang Mining Company in Siam. His sister, Ethel, founded a number of educational scholarships in his name. He is buried in Deangrange Cemetery, South Dublin'.
Plot: SW. Aa-Bb. 75 

Source: Alison Stewart

* Lieutenant John Henry Hancock

Ruins in the village of Dickebusch. 

Courtesy US Government 

Lieutenant John Henry Hancock killed in action 9th June 1917.    According to The Great War Memorial at The High School, he was a lieutenant in The Royal Engineers.

He was born at 15 Upper Beachwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin but his home address in Dublin was 1 Bellevue Park, Cork.  When the awful news of his death arrived by telegram, it was sent to Carlisle Place, Monkstown, Cork.

His will mentions his father William Henry Hancock, his mother Jane, his brother (21 years) Herbert Frederick - himself in the Royal Navy -  and sisters Lilian (20) and Una (16) all living in Cork.

 He served with 129 Field Company RE which was with the 24th  Division. Their War Diary is digitalised:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353291

The War Diary of the 129th Filed Company Royal Engineers, mentions John's death:

'9th June 1917:  Reninghelst Camp:  'Work on tracks continued.  Lt. Hancock killed by H.E. (High Explosive) shell whilst riding to advanced billets....'

'10th June 1917: Lieutenant Hancock's body buried in Dickebusch Cemetry.'

 Source: Michelle Burrowes

He landed in France with that unit on 30 April 1916, and was killed in Action near Ypres on 9 June 1917, aged 22. He is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery.

His home address (parents) is given as Rawdon,Leeds,though he is shown in Ireland's Roll of Honour.

Our thanks to researcher 'Terry', who visited the archives at Kew in the UK, to research this soldier on our behalf. We are forever grateful!   

* Second Lieutenant Norman Leslie Hannon

Lieutenant Norman Leslie Hannon

HANNON, Second Lieutenant, NORMAN LESLIE, 7th Bn. King's Liverpool Regiment. 16th May 1915. Age 20. Son of M. M. Hannon, of Ardreigh House, Athy, Co. Kildare, and the late John A. Hannon. Born at Castledermot, Co. Kildare. VII. K. 19. (Guards Cemetery, Cuinchy - France)

Source: http://www.liverpoolregt.co.uk/Hannon_NL.html

To read the war diary of the regiment, follow this link: http://www.liverpoolregt.co.uk/1.7_1915.05.16.html

Hannon, Norman Leslie. Rank; Lieutenant, Kings Liverpool Regiment, 7 th Batt. Killed in action, Festubert, May 18, 1915. Born Ardreigh House, Athy, Age 20 (Ian and Norman Leslie Hannon were brothers; Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website lists parents and says he was born Castledermot and died on 16 May; it does not list Ian Hannon but does list John Coulson).

Source:http://www.kildare.ie/Library/KildareCollectionsandResearchServices/World-War-One/casualties-hackett-hynes.asp

An Excerpt from Athy Eye on the Past:  

Letters from the Front - Leslie and Ian Hannon

I received in the post quite recently, a small bundle of old letters neatly kept together in a box, which itself was

evidently of great age. They were sent to me by David Hannon, brother of Bishop Hannon of Clogher, both of whom are sons of the late Archdeacon Gordan Hannon. It was the second time that some of these letters were delivered to Ardreigh House. On the last occasion their letters arrived in Athy, Leslie Hannon and his brother Ian Hannon were writing to their parents, John and Martha Hannon.

Mr. and Mrs. Hannon and their eight children moved to Ardreigh House Athy in 1910 from Prumplestown House, Castledermot when John took charge of the Ardreigh Mills, following the death of his brother Harry. Their four sons Reggie, Gordon, Ian and Leslie and their daughters Gladys, Marjorie, Eileen and Ethel spent many happy days in the idyllic surroundings of Ardreigh, an area immortalised in the poetry of Rev. J.J. Malone who was a native of Barrowhouse.

Gordon Hannon entered Trinity College Dublin and studied for the Church of Ireland. He later began his clerical career as a curate in Dublin. His brothers, Norman Leslie, commonly known as “Leslie”, and John Coulson known as “Ian”, enlisted in the British Army during the first year of the Great War, as did so many of their neighbours from Athy. Both were commissioned as Lieutenants in the 7th Kings Liverpool Regiment.

Leslie’s letters home to his parents and to his brother Gordon are full of the excitement of a young man barely out of his teens who found himself caught up in the comraderie and friendship known only to men who endure common hardship and deprivation. “More power to your elbow”, he wrote in pencil on a scrap of paper to his brother Gordon, not yet a Minister of the Church of Ireland, from somewhere in France just eight days before he died. The letter dated Saturday 8th May was enclosed in an envelope postmarked 9th May 1915, and it may have reached his brother Gordon before 20 year old Leslie was killed in action in Festubert on the 16th of May 1915. The line, “Remember me to all the lads”, written across the side of the one page letter, strikes a poignant note even now after the lapse of 80 years.

Source:  This piece was taken from a blog called 'Athy Eye on the Past'.  To read the full, very touching article, follow this link:  http://athyeyeonthepast.blogspot.ie/1995/06/letters-from-front-leslie-and-ian.html

Irish Life Magazine: 29 September 1916

Second Lieutenant N.L. Hannon, 7th King’s Liverpool Regiment, youngest son of Mr. John A. Hannon, Ardreigh House, Athy, killed in action at Festubert, 16th May,1915. Lieutenant Leslie Hannon was educated at Clarinda Park School Kingstown, and at the High School Dublin, where he was captain of the cricket XI for two years. He entered T.C.D. in 1913, and was a Classical Honourman. He
was one of the first to receive his commission through the D.U.O.T.C. in August, 1914.

* Lieutenant Frederick Alfred Harrison

Lieutenant Frederick Alfred Harrison
Birth: Feb. 13, 1893, County Dublin, Ireland
Death: Sep. 9, 1916 Demuin, France
Service: The Leinster Regiment, 3rd Battalion. Attached to 6th Battalion,The Royal Irish Regiment.
He was aged 23 when he died, the son of Arthur Thomas James Harrison and Margaret Drought Harrison, of 59, Beech Hill, Beggars Bush, Dublin.  He was baptised at St. Mark's Church, Dublin, on 19th March 1893.
His father's occupation was given as Architectural Sculptor.
In the 1901 census of Ireland, he and his sister Sophie, were living with their grandparents Charles and Sophia Harrison, at Herbert Park, Dublin.
Yes in the 1911 census of Ireland, Frederick A. Harrison was
living at 1, Waterloo Terrace, Cork.
He was an 18 year old Bank Official, single, born in Dublin, living in a Boarding House owned by Prudence McAlpine Thornton.

His name is noted on the following War Memorials, The High School, Rathgar, Dublin. St. Mark's Church Memorial in St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street, Dublin. St. Matthew's Church Memorial, Irishtown, Dublin. Leinster Regiment Memorial, St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick.
His name is included in the Mount Jerome Cemetery War Memorial and St. Matthew's Church War Memorial Irishtown, Dublin.

Source: find a grave .com 

* Second Lieutenant Henry Thomas Henley

Second Lieutenant Henry Thomas Henley killed in action 8th March 1917

HENLEY, HENRY THOMAS - Second Lieutenant - 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles - died 8th March 1917 - Buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium - Grave No. N. 53.
Source: Here  

* Capt. Arthur Benedict Edward Hillas

Arthur Hillas,
Colourized by D. Curran,
in 4th Year.

Capt. Arthur Benedict Edward Hilas killed in action 23rd April 1917.  Unit Gordon Highlanders

He was born at Farm Hill, Dundrum, Dublin.  See Birth Record

According to the High School records, he was born on 7th of October, 1876.  He attended The high School between 1890 and 1894 and his address was 8 Lower Fitzwilliam St. Dublin.

From the School Archive:

The Erasmian June 1917 p51
' We also regret to hear that Lieut. A. B. E. Hillas (1890-94), Gordon Highlanders, is reported wounded and missing.

The Erasmian March 1918 p33
'It is now officially announced that Captain A. B. E. Hillas, 7th Gordon Highlanders (1890-94), having been reported wounded and missing, was killed last May.'

Capt Arthur Benedict Edward Hillas. 7th Batt Gordon Highlanders. Killed in action 23rd April 1917. No further information. Son of RW and Alice Hillas of Doonecoy, Templecoy, Co Sligo. Buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery. Pas de Calais Grave No. III.W.II.

Image from Irish Regiments of World War One 

* Lieutenant Herbert Horace Hopkins

Lieutenant Herbert Horace Hopkins

HOPKINS, Lieutenant, HERBERT HORACE, South African Special Service Company. 25th July 1918. Age 39. Husband of Beatrice Hopkins, of 21, Union Mansions, Pretoria. Born at Dublin, Ireland I. A. 1
source:  http://www.southafricawargraves.org/lists/mozambique.htm

* Corporal James Kelly

Corporal James Kelly - killed in action in Gallipoli, 20th September 1915.

James Kelly was a pupil in High School from 1911 to 1912. He died when he was just 18 years old - making him the youngest past pupil to die in the Great War.  He is of the same age and even younger than current 6th Year pupils.

Corporal Royal Dublin Fusiliers 7th Battalion. 13822 20/09/1915 Age:18 

Born: Wigan. Killed in action in Gallipoli.

Son of James and Edith Kelly, of 9, Tower Avenue, Rathgar, County  Dublin. 

Special Memorial D. 5. Green Hill Cemetery in Turkey.

(Initially buried in) Bottom Wood Cemetery, (CWGC)

Source: UK, Commonwealth War Graves,

Corporal James Kelly, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, 9 Tower Avenue, Rathgar, and was educated at the High School, Dublin. At the outbreak of the war he was in the Engineering Department of Messrs. Guinness, Son and Co., but at once offered his services and joined the “Pals” Battalion. He was prominent in the formation of the 1st City of Dublin Cadets, in which he was Colour Sergeant, and was selected as one of the Cadet Guard of Honour at the Coronation of King George V. He was attached to the signalling section of the “Pals” Battalion, and was present at the memorable landing at Suvla Bay on August 6th. He was killed on September 20th  last.
Source: Irish Life Magazine 26 November 1915 (David Power)

Name:	James Kelly
Birth Place:	Wigan
Death Date:	20 Sep 1915
Death Location:	Gallipoli
Enlistment Location:	Dublin
Rank:	Corporal
Regiment:	Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Battalion:	7th Battalion
Number:	13832
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Balkan Theatre

Source: Ancestry.com

* Second Lieutenant Charles Annesley Kinnear

Charles Annesley Kinnear, was born on 21st January, 1897 and attended The High School from 1910 to 1915.  He was killed in action the following year, on 16th October 1916.

Irish Life Magazine:  24 November 1916

Lieutenant Charles Annesley Kinnear, was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Kinnear, of Albany House, Ranelagh, and was only 19 years of age when killed in action. Having left the Dublin High School in October, 1915, he entered Trinity College, where he joined the Dublin University Officers’ Training Corps. In the following month he obtained a commission in the Royal Field Artillery, and, after a short training, was sent, in January of the present year, to the front in France, where he saw continuous service until the date of his death.

Taken from 'The Erasmian'. December 1916, p3.

Kinnear Form V, Nov 1912*

'In particular we note with great regret the death in action of 2nd Lieut. C. A. Kinnear, who acted as Honorary Treasurer to this Magazine for the year 1914-15. He joined the R.F.A.(Royal Field Artillery) towards the end of October, 1915, and was sent out to France in the beginning of this year, to the front in France, where he saw continuous service until the date of his death.

'Those waves, in many a fight, have closed above her faithful dead;
That red-cross flag victoriously bath floated o'er their bed;
They perished—this green turf to keep by hostile tread unstained—
These knightly halls inviolate—those churches unprofaned.'

*Photo: Courtesy the Board of Governors of the Schools founded by Erasmus Smith Esq 

* Captain Ernest Walter Patrick Vinden Leach

Captain Ernest Walter Vinden Leach Killed in action 2nd January 1917
According to the 1901 Census of Ireland, Ernest was born in County Dublin, around 1896. He and his parents, along with his four siblings, lived on Garville Road, Rathmines, Dublin.
However, when he died and his father contacted the Ministry of Defense to obtain his son's medals, Ernest Leach senior was then living at 97, Buckingham Road Brighton.

His only brother, Jack, survived the war, married and died in England in 1949.  At the beginning of the 1930s, Ernest's three sisters, Edith, Madeline and Noelle, were all living together, unmarried, in number 64 St Margaret's Rd., Twickenham.  However, by 1936, Edith had left home, Madeline, had presumably married, changing her name to Hall, and only Madeline remained unwed.   They had only three more years to wait before another war would come and steal the peace yet again.
Source: Michelle Burrowes

The Erasmian March 1917 p32
'Captain Leach, who had gained rapid promotion, was mentioned in dispatches in January, but the announcement only appeared in the papers after his death.'

The Weekly Irish Times. Ireland’s Roll of Honour. January 20, 1917. 

The death in action is announced of Captain Leach, who was 20 years of age, was the elder son of Mr and Mrs E W Leach, Prospect House, Milltown, County Dublin. H 10 Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery, Belgium.

Captain Royal Irish Rifles 3rd Battalion attached to the 2nd Battalion Killed in Action: Age 21
Son of Ernest William and Madelina Isabel Leach, They were listed in the 1911 Census as living on Milltown Road, Rathmines and Rathgar East, Dublin.

Source: Tom Burnell historian.

* Private Leopold Charles LeBas

Source: Tom Burnell

Leo Le Bas was born in Dublin on 7th October 1895 and was a pupil in The High School Dublin from 1910 until 1911.  He had two other brothers, Albert and Samuel, both of whom also fought in the Great War. Only Samuel survived.  

The South Irish Horse War Diaries from the day Leo died states: 

'Report of O/C Cyclists that no 1068 Pte LARKIN F., 1073 Pte LE BAS H, 1144 Pte SADLIER WA were killed in action on night of 22/23 by direct hit of HE on the Catapult they were fixing up to fire'.  

Source:  http://www.southirishhorse.com/ 

Born in Dublin, Leopold Charles Le Bas Private South Irish Horse "A" Squadron. 1073  He was 20 years old when he died on 22/12/1915. He was killed in action. He was the son of Albert Le Bas, of 1, Le Bas Terrace, Leinster Rd. West, Rathmines, Dublin. 

The Irish Times.
Ireland’s Roll of Honour. December 26, 1915. Trooper Leo Le Bas, “A” Squadron, South Irish Horse, killed in action in France, was the youngest son of Mr Albert Le Bas, 1 Le Bas Terrace, Rathmines, County Dublin.


Irish Times. Le Bas-December 22, 1915, killed in action in France,---Trooper, A Squadron, South Irish Horse, youngest son of Aubery Le Bas, --La Ras Terrace, Rathmines, aged 20 years. E. 12. Chapelle-D’Armentieres New Military Cemetery. Nord, France.

* Second Lieutenant John Henry Frederick Leland

Second Lieutenant John Henry Frederick Leland
Reference to his death on 10th August 1915

Notes from The Great War website:

'Leland, John Henry Frederick. Second Lieutenant: Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 5th Battalion. Last days in Action: Killed in action in Gallipoli on 10 August 1915, the day following his arrival in Suvla Bay, age 31.

'Military Notes: He sailed from Devonport on 19 July 1915 for Gallipoli, going via Imbros and disembarking at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915. '

2nd Lieutenant John Henry Frederick Leland, aged 31, 5th RWF, died 10/8/15, son of Henry and Laura Leland of Blackrock, Dublin, husband of Florence Mary, Graduate, Barrister, Scholar and Moderator of Trinity College Dublin. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial.'

'2/Lt John Henry LELAND, 5/RWF - son of Henry & Laura Leland, 6 Idrone Terrace, Blackrock, Co. Dublin and husband of Florence Mary Leland. He was a Barrister at Law, Scholar & Moderator of Trinity College, Dublin. Commissioned 2/Lt 26/08/1914 into 5/RWF. Trained around Northampton & Cambridge. Embarked Dardanelles July 1915. Landed at Suvla Bay 9/08/1915. Killed fighting in the advance the following day trying to cross the Salt Lake 10/08/1915. Age 31. Commemorated Helles Memorial.'

'8th - Embrked Rowan and sailed for Imbros. Strength 26 officers 811 other ranks

9th - To Suvla 4.30 am Landed "C" Beach 6am and to bivouacs at Lala Baba
10th - One Company detailed to take equipment up to front line. Moved forward 4.45 am. Advanced across Salt Lake under heavy shrapnel and rifle fire. Passed through entrenching battalions of 159th Brigade 11.30am. Official History of the Great War records that the 1/5 was gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel B. E. Philips and penetrated to within a few hundred yards of Scimitar Hill. Opened fire on enemy about 200 yards from Turkish front line. Later ordered to withdraw to 159th Brigade lines. Further attempts to take enemy positions during afternoon also failed. All reports of 158th Brigade's advance refer to lack of maps and confusion. Casualties - Lieutenant-Colonel B. E Philips, Lieutenant H. O Williams, Second-Lieutenants R. C. Walton, J. H. F. Leland, F. P. Synnott***, R. M. Mocatta and 13 Other Ranks killed, 6 Officers, 116 Other Ranks wounded: 39 missing.

Source: British Regiments at Gallipoli

***Note Both J.H.F. Leland and F.P. Synnott were both High School Past pupils.  They both served in the 5th Battalion, one age 31, the other age 21 - they died on the same day.