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201397   Private David Tomb Graham
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Dated added: 17/04/2016   Last updated: 12/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st / 5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (British Army)
Died: 09/11/1917 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 32
Summary      
David Tomb Graham was the son of James and Elizabeth Graham. David was born in Kilrea about 1885. His father worked in Mercers office in Kilrea. The Graham family moved to Glasgow while David was still a boy. David Graham enlisted in Glasgow. David had been in Palestine since 1915. He was a stretcher bearer and first aid man. Corporal David Graham was injured while carrying a wounded soldier off the battlefield in Palestine. Corporal David Graham was serving with the 1st / 5th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry when he died of his wounds on Friday 9th November 1917 at No. 66 Casualty Clearing Station in Egypt.
Further Information
David Tomb Graham was the son of James and Elizabeth Graham. David was born in Kilrea about 1885.
GRONI records (Ref. U/1884/96/1008/9/174) list a David Graham born on 31st October 1884 in Kilrea, with a mother’s maiden name of Gault.
His father worked in Mercers office in Kilrea.
The Graham family moved to Glasgow while David was still a boy.
Neither the 1901 not the 1911 Census list the family.
David Graham enlisted in Glasgow.
Medal card
David had been in Palestine since 1915. He was a stretcher bearer and first aid man.
From the Northern Constitution dated 9th November 1917:
Corporal David T Graham, son of Mr James Graham, Glasgow, formerly of the Mercers office, Kilrea, writes to Mr James O’Fee, Bridge Street from somewhere in the Holy Land, ‘I’ve been out here since 1915 and have seen a lot of severe fighting. We are against the Turks and the Austrians with a few Huns mixed up. I am a stretcher bearer and first aid man. We have four to each company and we have seen some gruesome sights, but I don’t think it will be long now until we get them polished off for good.’ Corporal Graham left Kilrea when a boy with his parents to reside in Glasgow.
Corporal David Graham was injured while carrying a wounded soldier off the battlefield in Palestine. A comrade wrote to say that if he had lived, he would have been decorated for his gallant act.
Corporal David Tomb Graham was serving with the 1st / 5th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry when he died of his wounds on Friday 9th November 1917 at No. 66 Casualty Clearing Station in Egypt.
From the Northern Constitution dated 18th January 1918:
A comrade of Corporal David T Graham, Highland Light Infantry, son of Mr James Graham, formerly of Mercers office Kilrea, in a letter to Mr James O’Fee, Bridge Street, states that Corporal Graham died in hospital from wounds received while carrying a wounded soldier off the battlefield in the Holy Land and that if he had lived, he would have been decorated for his gallant act. Corporal Graham has three brothers serving with the colours.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th January 1918:
Private D Graham, Seaforth Highlanders, Kilrea, killed
Corporal Graham is buried in Deir El Belah War Cemetery in Gaza, Palestine, close to the Egyptian border.
Corporal Graham had three brothers who served in the war.
Corporal David Graham is commemorated on a plaque in 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church.
The CWGC record Corporal David Tomb Graham as the son of James and Elizabeth Graham, of Kilrea, Co. Londonderry.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Kilrea town Kilrea Born and lived in Kilrea 54.951467 -6.553342
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Forum Discussion (GWF) Details of Private David Tomb Graham
2 National Archives UK Medal card of Private David Tomb Graham can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023