Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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October's Updates
Date Name Information
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle 01582
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle 01581
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle 01580
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle 01579
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle 01578
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Many thanks to Wesley Wright for supplying the name and details.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle The CWGC record Private Samuel Lyttle as the son of William and Elizabeth Lyttle. He is also recorded as the husband of Mary Lyttle of Larne.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Private Samuel Lyttle is buried in Raloo Presbyterian Church New Cemetery, near Larne. His inscription reads AT REST
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Private Samuel Lyttle was serving with the Corps of Military Police when he died on 25th February 1944.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel served in World War Two.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel Lyttle fought in World War One, and survived the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He served with the Devonshires.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Known family: Samuel Lyttle, Mary Lyttle, Thomas Lyttle (born about 1910), Mary Ellen Nell Lyttle (born 19th July 1912), Samuel Sandy Lyttle (born 16th August 1913), Jane Jean Lyttle (born 29th November 1914), Isabella Brown "Bell" Lyttle (born 25th June 1919), John Lyttle (unknown birth date), Kathleen Elizabeth Molly Lyttle (unknown birth date), Robert Lyttle (unknown birth date),Herbert Lyttle (unknown birth date, died in infancy).
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel and Mary went on to have at least ten children, nine surviving. All were born in the Larne area, it is believed.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle The 1911 census lists Samuel as living with his wife and child at house 18 in Ballysnod, Kilwaughter, County Antrim. Samuel was a bricklayer’s labourer.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel Lyttle and Mary Gillen were married on 9th July 1910 in Belfast.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle The 1901 census lists Samuel as age 12, living with the family at house 19 in Millbrook Town, Kilwaughter, County Antrim. His mother was a widow. Samuel was still at school. As well as his own siblings, he had two step sisters.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Known family: William Lyttle, Elizabeth Lyttle, Samuel Lyttle (born 4th April 1889, Maghera), Jennie Ida Lyttle (born 15th May 1893, Larne), William James Lyttle (born 4th January 1895, Larne).
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle By the time of the second child’s birth in May 1893, Samuel and his parents were living near Larne.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel Lyttle was born on 4th April 1889 in the Maghera area. He was the oldest of at least three children.
21/10/2020 Pte. Samuel Lyttle Samuel Lyttle was the eldest son of William and Elizabeth Lyttle. William Lyttle and Elizabeth Hazlett were married on 23rd October 1888 in the district of Magherafelt. Elizabeth had been married previously.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Information courtesy of Nigel Henderson via Sam Hudson
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Information courtesy of Nigel Henderson via Sam Hudson
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William’s older brother, Lance-Corporal Samuel Lilley, also died in the war. Samuel was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment when he was killed in action six months later on 29th September 1918.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Samuel’s younger brother, Private William Lilley, also died in the war. William was serving with the 110th Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps when he was killed in action six months earlier on 21st March 1918.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley 01577
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley 01576
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley 01575
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Lance-Corporal Samuel Lilley and his brother are also commemorated on the family headstone in Knockbreda Cemetery in Belfast.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Lance-Corporal Samuel Lilley is buried in Noyelles-Sur-L'escaut Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Lance-Corporal Samuel Wilson Lilley was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 29th September 1918, aged 41.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Private Samuel Lilley served in initially with the Northumberland Fusiliers, Service No. 7348.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley The 1901 census lists Samuel as lodging with his brother at house 56 in Beechfield Street, Belfast. Samuel was a grocer. His brother was a clerk.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley The 1901 census does not list Samuel as living with the family at house 49 in Castledawson, Londonderry. His mother was a widow.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Known family: Arthur Lilley, Elizabeth Lizzie Lilley, Samuel Wilson Lilley (born 6th June 1877), James Lilley (born 30th January 1879), John Lilley (born 20th July 1880), Mary Lilley (born 13th August 1882), William Arthur Lilley (born 29th May 1884), Jessie /Sissey Lilley (born 16th December 1885), Richard Lilley (born 11th December 1887).
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Samuel Wilson Lilley was born on born 6th June 1877. He was one of at least eight children, all born in the Magherafelt area.
19/10/2020 L/Corp Samuel Wilson Lilley Samuel Wilson Lilley was the eldest son of Arthur and Elizabeth Lilley. Arthur Lilley and Lizzie Woodside were married on 15th September 1876 in the district of Magherafelt.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Private William Lilley and his brother are also commemorated on the family headstone in Knockbreda Cemetery in Belfast.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Private William Lilley is commemorated on the Roll of Honour for Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Private William Arthur Lilley is buried in Ham British Cemetery in Muille-Villette, France. Unusually, there is no grave inscription
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Private William Arthur Lilley was serving with the 110th Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps when he was killed in action 21st March 1918.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Private William Lilley entered the war in France on 5th October 1915.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William and his family went on to live at 62 Dunvegan Street, Belfast.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William and Helena had at least on child. Violet Lilley was born on 28th February 1912 in Belfast.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley The 1911 census lists William Arthur as age 24, living with his wife at house 7 in Bendigo Street, Ormeau, Belfast. William was a labourer in an Iron Works.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William Lilley married Helena McCaskey on 11th July 1910 in Belfast.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley The 1901 census lists Willie as age 16, living with the family at house 49 in Castledawson, County Londonderry. His mother was a widow. William was still at school.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley Known family: Arthur Lilley, Elizabeth Lizzie Lilley, Samuel Lilley (born 6th June 1877), James Lilley (born 30th January 1879), John Lilley (born 20th July 1880), Mary Lilley (born 13th August 1882), William Arthur Lilley (born 29th May 1884), Jessie /Sissey Lilley (born 16th December 1885), Richard Lilley (born 11th December 1887).
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William Arthur Lilley was born on 29th May 1884. He was one of at least eight children, all born in the Magherafelt area.
19/10/2020 Pte. William Arthur Lilley William Arthur Lilley was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Lilley. Arthur Lilley and Lizzie Woodside were married on 15th September 1876 in the district of Magherafelt.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir To the glory of God and in grateful remembrance of Lieutenant George Ferrier Weir, 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Born 2nd February 1893. Enlisted September 1914. Died in India 3rd July 1942. He served his King and country for 29 years. Faithful until death. Erected by his comrades in the U.V.F.’
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir The tablet is a well-executed piece of work, sculptured by Mr M Watterson, a local monumental sculptor. It occupies a prominent position alongside a tablet erected to the memory of Capt. Chichester-Clark, R.M., D.S.O., D.L., M.P., on the wall at the back of the platform, and bears the inscription:-
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir The Presbyterian Church choir, under Mr A Heuston, choirmaster, led in the singing of ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’, ‘For all the Saints’, ‘There is a Land of Pure Delight’, and the Benediction and National Anthem, Miss Marie Heuston, A.T.C.L., at the organ.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir Before the tablet was unveiled, Rev Mr Gaston read a portion of scripture and gave a short address on memorials. Mr H McMaster, Rural District Council, of Magherfelt, proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs Johnston, endorsed what the chairman had said regarding the deceased officer. Mr George Sampson, of Leitrim, seconded the vote, which was passed and gracefully acknowledged.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir ‘On behalf of my brothers and sister, now living abroad, I wish to thank each one of you for your kind thought in erecting this tablet in memory of our brother, George Ferrier Weir, and to you Mr chairman, for asking me to come and unveil the tablet. I consider it a very great honour, but at the same time, a sad duty to unveil this tablet erected by his friends in Castledawson and district in memory of Lieutenant George Ferrier Weir.’
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir That night, they were to have unveiled by Mrs Johnston, a tablet to perpetuate the memory of one of Ulster’s sons, on who had never an enemy, but had endeared himself to every man with whom he came in contact. On behalf of Lieutenant Weir’s old comrades, the chairman asked Mrs Johnston to unveil that tablet. Mrs Johnston, with the audience standing, unveiled the tablet, after which the Rev W Gaston, B.A., offered up the dedication prayer. Mrs Johnston said:-
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir Going to India, he served until 1942. Lieutenant Weir, on leave, visited the homeland, but on war breaking out he had to return to India, to the great disappointment of his pals in the U.V.F., who had contemplated entertaining him in that old hall where he began his military career almost thirty years ago. His mortal remains rest in India, having faithfully served his King and country.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir In August 1914, when Great Britain declared war on Germany, Lieutenant Weir was among the first to volunteer to defend the homeland, and with thirteen others (some of whom were present), went to Finner Camp to form the 10th Battalion (Derrys) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. ion their arrival they were put on drill square to test their ability and to their credit they were told they were the best drilled squad in the battalion. When the Derrys were sent overseas, George Weir was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant. Having served throughout the campaign he was offered a commission, which he refused, but was later on promoted to warrant officer’s rank.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir In 1912, when Ulster was threatened with coercion and Ulster people decided to defend themselves, Lieutenant Weir was among the first to join the Ulster Volunteer Force and was drill instructor.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir There was a good audience present on Friday evening in the Protestant War Memorial Hall for the unveiling of a marble tablet in the memory of the late Lieutenant George F Weir, a son of the late Mr John Weir, of Toberhead. Mr S G Davison, J.P., C.Clr., of Farmhill, Castledawson, who was one of the Castledawson U.V.F. and was instrumental in getting the tablet erected, presided. He said they were met to pay tribute to whom tribute is due - the late Lieutenant George Ferrier Weir, of the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was born in Toberhead in 1893, received his education at Toberhead National School until he was fourteen years of age, then worked on his father’s farm until 1914 when the World War broke out.
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir 01574
17/10/2020 Lieut George Ferrier Weir From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 24th November 1945: Memorial Tablet Unveiled
14/10/2020 Aircraftman Joseph McWilliams Joseph enlisted in the Royal Air Force around 1938.
14/10/2020 Aircraftman Joseph McWilliams The family lived at Dunmurray, Draperstown.
14/10/2020 Aircraftman Joseph McWilliams Aircraftman 1st Class (A.C.1) Joseph McWilliams. Royal Air Force, son of Mr and Mrs B McWilliams, of Dunmurray, Draperstown, is reported to have lost his life in an airplane accident on his way home from France on 7th October. He had seven years’ service.
14/10/2020 Aircraftman Joseph McWilliams 01573
14/10/2020 Aircraftman Joseph McWilliams From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 20th October 1945:
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter PORTER – In loving memory of Johnnie, killed in action in North West Europe, 17th September 1944. ‘Forever with the Lord.’ Ever remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, K and H Hudson, Magherafelt; also little nephews.
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter 01572
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th September 1945:
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter PORTER – In loving memory of Johnnie, killed in action in North West Europe, 17th September 1944. ‘Age shall not weary, nor the years condemn.’ Ever remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, V and H McKay, Moneymore.
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter 01571
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th September 1945:
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter PORTER – In loving memory of Johnnie, killed in action in North West Europe, 17th September 1944. ‘The labours of a well spent life end in a great reward.’ Ever remembered by his sorrowing father and mother. Union Road, Magherafelt.
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter 01570
13/10/2020 Pte. John Porter From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th September 1945: Roll of Honour
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Sadie and Bobbie Moore. Drumlamph, Castledawson
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor Where our dear brother lies.’
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor Our thoughts are on that lonely grave
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor And sleep forsakes our eyes
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor ‘At night when all is silent
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor TRAINOR - In loving memory of Fusilier Robert Trainor, who was killed in action in Sicily on 5th August 1943.
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor 01569
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th August 1945:
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor Ever remembered by his loving father, mother and family. Drumlamph, Castledawson.
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor When we are all together.’
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor We often sit and think of him
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor That he is gone forever
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor ‘We find it hard to realise
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor TRAINOR - In loving memory of Fusilier Robert Trainor, who was killed in Sicily on 5th August 1943.
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor 01568
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th August 1945:
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Len Jones. Drumlamph, Castledawson
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor In the pride of his strength and youth.’
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor A true clean-hearted Irish lad
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor He gave up his life for the truth
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor ‘He answered the call of duty
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor TRAINOR - In loving memory of Fusilier Robert Trainor, who was killed in action in Sicily on 5th August 1943.
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor 01567
12/10/2020 Fusilier Robert Trainor From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th August 1945:
11/10/2020 W/less Op William Edward Griswold WILLIAMS - GRISWOLD – 18th June 1945, at 1st Magherafelt Presbyterian Church, by Rev W Gaston, B.A., Castledawson; Leading aircraftman (L.A.C.) Kenneth Williams, Royal Air Force, son of Mr and Mrs Williams, Penarth, South Wales, to Joan Olive Griswold, daughter of the late Edward Griswold, Nova Scotia, Canada and Mrs Griswold, Garden Street, Magherafelt.
11/10/2020 W/less Op William Edward Griswold 01566
11/10/2020 W/less Op William Edward Griswold From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 28h July 1945: Marriages
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