9140 – Sergeant Alexander Murdock…

“Intimation has been received by Mr. Alexander Murdock, Union Street, Ballymoney, that his son, Private Alexander Murdock, Highland Light Infantry, was wounded in action in France, and is now in hospital in England, suffering from shrapnel wounds to the head, arm, and body.”  Belfast Newsletter – Tuesday, December 21, 1915.

Alexander was born on 18 May 1883 in Ballyboyland, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.  Ballymoney is a small town in Co. Antrim, a short distance away from the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim.  Alexander, who was known as Alex, is my 1^st cousin 3x removed – his father is my 3^rd great uncle and brother to my 2^nd great grandfather, William. He was the fourth child and 3^rd son of Alexander and Jane Holmes.  His parents married in the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church on 7 Jun 1877.  His older sister Annie was born in 1878, Alexander (the first) in 1879, who didn’t survive childhood, and Archie in 1881.  Sadly, just before Alex’s sixth birthday, on 15 Mar 1885, his mother passed away at the very young age of thirty.  She left behind her husband and her three children who where all under the age of eight.

Six years later, in the 1901 Scottish Census I discovered Alex living at 46 Hutcheson Street, Mayhill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, working as a general labourer.  He and his brother Archie were living with their aunt, Sarah Jayne Burkhill (nee Murdock), and family.  It is unclear when he and Archie made the trek to Scotland.  Annie remained in Ballymoney – marrying in 1896 while she was still a minor.

I was unable to find any trace of Alex until ten years later – in the 1911 Census Return of all Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commission Officers, Trumpeters, Drummers and Rank, Alex was listed as a Lance Corporal with the Highland Light Infantry.  It seems while living in Glasgow he had enlisted at Hamilton, Lanarkshire.An excerpt from “Ballymoney Heros” by Robert Thompson stated:  “In January 1916 Alex was in hospital suffering from injuries but was improving and looking forward to ten days leave.  I have been unable to trace the family of Alex Murdock but he was with his battalion north of the River Ancre in October 1916.

The first week of November saw a change in the weather, with some prospects of a lasting improvement.  The weather had been very wet and the terrible condition of the water-logged trenches, many of which, including important communication ways, were little better than treacherous quagmires, while others were filled with water to a depth of three or four feet.  The attack, however, was set for the 13^th, zero hour being 5:45 a.m.

On the 11^th the battalion occupied their trenches for the last time and after the huge amount of repair work which had been done on them they were so deep that it was almost impossible to get out of them and a great number of ladders had to be used to overcome the difficulty.  So impetuous were the leading waves of the attack that they entered the enemy front line at the same time as the British barrage, and undoubtedly suffered many casualties from their own shell fire.  Within six minutes the line was captured and many German prisoners taken.  It was during this attack that Alex Murdock was killed…”9140 Serjeant Alexander Murdock, 2^nd Bn Highland Light Infantry who was Killed in Action 13 Nov 1916 is remembered in “Ireland’s Memorial Records – Soldiers Who Died in the Great War” – he is Remembered with Honour and Commemorated in Perpetuity in Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15 C.

Like so many others Alex didn’t come home.

“They never fail who die in a great cause.” Lord Byron

Diver, Thomas Wilson, M.M., L.-Corpl., 2^nd Battn. (108^th Foot) The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers…

Born on 7 Feb 1898 in 21 Lewis Street in the City of Londonderry, Thomas Wilson Diver was the second child and eldest son of eight born to George William Diver and my great grand aunt, Elizabeth Wilson.

I discovered Thomas after unearthing Short Service Record No. 8211 of Robert Norry Wilson, his uncle and my great grand uncle, which led me to Burt, Co. Donegal and another Crooked Branch of my family tree.

The 1901 census revealed that three year old Thomas was visiting his maternal great aunt, Eliza Jane Doherty (nee Wilson); in 28 Carrowreagh, Burt, Co. Donegal.  When the 1911 census was recorded Thomas was still living with the family who were then residing in 21 Carrowreagh.  At that point in time his name was recorded as Thomas Wilson – he was listed as a boarder and scholar.  In 1901 and 1911 his parents and siblings were living in Londonderry.  It is unclear why Thomas was living in Burt and not with the rest of his family.  I was driven to find out more …In researching further I very quickly discovered much more than anticipated!

“Derrymen’s Daring Deeds.  No Surrender Spirit at Thiepval.  Stories of Conspicuous Gallantry.  Heroes of the First of July Attack.”

 An article published in the Londonderry Sentinel on 10 May 1917 stated (in part):

“…There have just arrived in Londonderry from the front twenty-two of the Ulster Division certificates awarded to N.C.O.’s and men of the 10^th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers) who belong to the Maiden City and district for conspicuous gallantry on the 1^st July last year, when the Ulster Division won undying fame.  The Derry Volunteers had the honour of leading the attack on that glorious day, and they added fresh luster to the great history of the Maiden City.  In spite of the fiercest opposition of overwhelming numbers they proved a living manifestation of the No Surrender spirit which animated their ancestors in days gone by, and though they paid a heavy sacrifice in killed and wounded they maintained the splendid traditions of the grand old city.

Certificates have been awarded to the following: …”

… “15459 Private Thomas Wilson Diver.  On the 1^st July, 1916, in the Thiepval sector, he showed great courage and ability in handling his Lewis gun in the German ‘C’ line.

Private Diver resided with his aunt, Mrs. Wilson, 24, Creggan-road.  Although he escaped unscathed on the 1^st July, he was later wounded and gassed, but is at present at the front.  He joined the Ulster Division on its formation although not sixteen years of age.  He is now a Lance-corporal.” Not eighteen months later and once again, published in the Londonderry Sentinel on 17 Oct 1918, an article read:

“Mrs. Wilson, 24, Creggan-road, Londonderry, has received intimation that her nephew, L.-Corp. Thomas Wilson Diver, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers), has been killed in action.  Deceased, who was only twenty years of age, was the holder of the Military Medal and Ulster Division Certificate for bravery in the field.  He joined up on the outbreak of the war.  Rev. J.G. Paton, writing to inform Mrs. Wilson, says – ‘I have known deceased for a long time, and can tell you he was a good boy and a keen soldier, who always did his duty cheerfully.  He never did better than on the day on which he was killed – it was in an attack on the enemy, and he did good work.”The UK Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects confirmed that this was indeed my Thomas Wilson Diver.  George William Diver was listed as his father and a War Gratuity of £23 10 Shillings for his war service was paid.  The Grave Registration Report noted: “DIVER, Lce. Cpl. Thomas, 15459, M.M. “A” Coy. 2^nd Bn.  Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 29^th Sep 1918. Age 20, son of George William and Elizabeth Diver of 5 North Street, Rosemount, Londonderry.” 

The UK De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour (1914 -1919) read “Diver, Thomas Wilson, M.M., L.-Corpl., 2^nd Battn. (108^th Foot) The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; b. Londonderry, 10 March 1898; edu. Burt National School, Burt, co. Donegal; joined the 10^th Inniskillings 12 Oct. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; was wounded and invalided home 28 Aug. 1916; returned to France in Jan. 1917; transferred to the 2^nd Inniskillings in March, 1918; was present at the German offensive that month, and was killed in action 2 Oct. following.  He was awarded a Parchment Certificate after the fighting at Thiepval, on the Somme, 1 July, 1916, and the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in the field…”Lance Corporal Thomas Wilson Diver’s name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium and Commemorated in Perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  His name is also among those listed on the Diamond War Memorial in Londonderry.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.”

My young Hero – Thomas Wilson Diver will always be remembered by me!  He has found a little place in my heart!

Shocking Limavady Case – Parents Smartly Punished…

Once again I found myself scouring the British Newspaper Archives, this time for Sophia Park (nee Love).  This Sophia Love, as opposed to one of my many other Sophia Loves, is my 1^st cousin 4x removed.  To date I have been unable to find her death record, burial record or an obituary and I was hoping that today would be the day – it wasn’t.  I did, however, discover another Sophia – Sophia Park…

After further investigation I realized that this Sophia was also one of mine!  Agnes Sophia Park (known as Sophia) was born on 22 Apr 1911 in Drumrammer, Drumachose and is the daughter of John Park, son of Sophia Love Park who I was initially researching, and Mary Jane Harbison.  She is also my 3^rd cousin 2x removed.

Next, as I always do, I checked for a death record – sadly, I found one all too quickly!  On 2 Apr 1917, just a few short days before her sixth birthday, Samuel Collins, the Occupier of the Limavady Workhouse, reported her death.  The Cause of Death of Sophia Park from Drumrammer read: ‘Pneumonia, 5 days.  Heart Failure Certified.’  I had discovered her birth and death in less than fifteen minutes.  Due to her cause of death and the fact that she died in the workhouse I returned to the British Newspaper Archives to see if a report of an Inquest had been published on her death.

An article from the Derry Journal, published 20 Jun 1917, read:  ‘At Limavady Petty Sessions yesterday, before Mr. J.D. Boyd, presiding, Mr. Sparrow, R.M., Messrs. Samuel Cassidy, Robert Guthrie, Robert Douglas, Thomas Oakey, John M’Laughlin, Henry Connell, a case was investigated in which the N.S.P.C.C., by Inspector A. Houston, summoned John Parke, a carpenter and farmer, of Drumrammer, and Mary Park, his wife, for neglect and ill-treatment of Sophia Park, the seven-year-old daughter of the male defendant.  Mr. Daniel MacLaughlin, solicitor, Coleraine, appeared for the N.S.P.C.C., and Mr. Wm. Horner, Limavady defended.  Mr. MacLaughlin said the case was a particularly flagrant one, and as a result of the neglect and lack of medical treatment, the little child had died…’

‘…The little girl’s mother, he said, had died about 4 ½ years ago, and the female defendant was the girl’s stepmother.  The child’s mother had left a sum of £50, and of this £40 had been deposited in the savings bank in the name of the child.  Dr. John C. Lynd, Limavady, deposed to seeing the child undressed, shivering on its step-mother’s knee at the fireside.  When admitted to the Limavady Infirmary the child had two blackened eyes, and was verminous.  It died a few days later from pneumonia.  He never saw a child before so thin and yet living.  James Sweeny, school teacher, Drumrammer, said his sister had sometimes fed the child when it was attending his school.  It would eat weeds and other green vegetable growths.  James M’Ginnis said he had been ten weeks in Parke’s employment.  The girl, Sophia, didn’t get the same food as the others in the house.  It got teach without milk, and bread without butter.  Maurice M’Keague, for the defence, said he never saw the child ill-treated; and David Smiley said the child had a habit of eating weeds.  The defendants denied that they had ill-treated or neglected the child.  The Bench imposed a fine of £10 on Mrs. Parke, and committed John Parke to jail for two months, with hard labour.  Notice of appeal was lodged.’

No further information was to be found in the newspaper archives regarding an appeal.  However, upon searching the 1911 census records I discovered the family living at 12 Drumrammer, Keady, Londonderry.  The record revealed that Sophia’s mother was Mary Jane, who at twenty eight years of age was sixteen years younger than her husband John.  Sophia did not appear on the record as she was born a few short weeks after it was taken – I also discovered she had an older brother, one year old Stewart Harbinson Park.

At the Balteagh Church of Ireland on 14 Jan 1909, in the presence of Agnes Harbison and Henry James Love, John Park, a carpenter of Drumachose, was united in Marriage with Mary Jane Harbison of Terrydoo at the Balteagh Church of Ireland.

On 22 Aug 1909 Stewart Harbison Park was born at Drumrammer, Drumachose – he is my 3^rd cousin 2x removed.  As with his sister, and as I always do, I searched for a death record.  Again, within minutes I discovered that on 31 Dec 1912 3 year old Stewart Harbison Park, son of a carpenter, died from “Scalds, 15 hours shock – Certified”.  His father was the informant of his death.

Sad Accident Near Limavady…

‘On Monday the four-year-old son of Mr. John Park, carpenter, Drumrammer, Limavady, met with a sad accident, as the result of which he died yesterday morning.  The little boy was playing about in the kitchen where a bucket of hot water had been placed on the floor, and, walking backwards, he fell into the water and was severely scalded about the legs and lower part of the body.  The housekeeper, who was present, had the child lifted from the bucket, and Dr. Lynd was immediately sent for.  Death took place as stated yesterday morning.  The fact that the little one’s mother died only a few weeks ago makes the circumstances peculiarly sad, and much sympathy is felt by all in the district with Mr. Park at his double bereavement.’

I have not yet unearthed the death record of Mary Jane Harbison Park or her cause of death.  There are many more Twisted Limbs to follow in this particular Branch of my family tree – hopefully they aren’t as tragic as these.

Come fairies, take me off this dull world for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance up the mountains.  – W.B. Yeats

2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry – Sergeant Alexander Murdoch…

“Intimation has been received by Mr. Alexander Murdock, Union Street, Ballymoney, that his son, Private Alexander Murdock, Highland Light Infantry, was wounded in action in France, and is now in hospital in England, suffering from shrapnel wounds to the head, arm, and body.”  Belfast Newsletter – Tuesday, December 21, 1915.

Alexander was born on 18 May 1883 in Ballyboyland, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.  He was the fifth child and fourth son of Alexander Murdocand Jane Holmes.  On 7 Jun 1877 his parents were United in Marriage in the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church by Rev. J. Brown and in the presence of William Wasson and Mary Biggart.   Alexander, known as Alex, is my 1^st cousin 3x removed – his father is my 3^rd great uncle and brother to my 2^nd great grandfather, William. 

In the 1901 Scottish Census I discovered Alex living at 46 Hutcheson Street, Maryhill, Lanarkshire, Scotland and working as a general labourer.  He and his brother Archie were living with their aunt, Sarah Jayne Burkhill (nee Murdock), and family after having left their home town of Ballymoney.

Upon discovering a document entitled Attestation for the Militia or Reserve Division of the Militia, dated 23 Nov 1903, I learned that Alex was residing at 43 Burnhouse Street, Maryhill, Glasgow.  The documentation further disclosed that Alex was in the employ of Brown & Co. Shipbuilders, Clydebank, Glasgow.  He was a man of small stature – standing at 5 feet 5 3/4” tall, of fresh complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair.  Alex, a Presbyterian, had ‘no distinctive marks’.

I was unable to find any trace of Alex again until I came across the 1911 Census – Return of all Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commission Officers, Trumpeters, Drummers and Rank, Alex was listed as a Lance Corporal with the Highland Light Infantry.  It seems while living in Glasgow he had enlisted at Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

An excerpt from “Ballymoney Heros” by Robert Thompson stated: “In January 1916 Alex was in hospital suffering from injuries but was improving and looking forward to ten days leave.  I have been unable to trace the family of Alex Murdock but he was with his battalion north of the River Ancre in October 1916.

The first week of November saw a change in the weather, with some prospects of a lasting improvement.  The weather had been very wet and the terrible condition of the water-logged trenches, many of which, including important communication ways, were little better than treacherous quagmires, while others were filled with water to a depth of three or four feet.  The attack, however, was set for the 13^th, zero hour being 5:45 a.m.

On the 11^th the battalion occupied their trenches for the last time and after the huge amount of repair work which had been done on them they were so deep that it was almost impossible to get out of them and a great number of ladders had to be used to overcome the difficulty.  So impetuous were the leading waves of the attack that they entered the enemy front line at the same time as the British barrage, and undoubtedly suffered many casualties from their own shell fire.  Within six minutes the line was captured and many German prisoners taken.  It was during this attack that Alex Murdock was killed…” 

9140 Serjeant Alexander Murdock, 2^nd Bn Highland Light Infantry who was Killed in Action 13 Nov 1916 is remembered in “Ireland’s Memorial Records – Soldiers Who Died in the Great War” – he is Remembered with Honour and Commemorated in Perpetuity in Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15 C.

Like so many others, Alex did not come home!

We are the dead: Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved: and now we lie In Flanders fields!  Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

14122252 Rfn. C. Clarke, Draft No. DAGYO, 1^st Batt R.U.R., No. 2. British Army Post Office – 9^th Mar 1951

“Dear Bobbie,

I am writing today hoping that my letter finds your mother, father and Francis in the best of health and spirits as at the time of writing this.  I am quite well except that I am browned off on this ship, but that is to be expected with the close confinement and doing the same thing every day …”

I simply cannot stop thinking about Charlie.  I have known about Charlie as far back as I can remember.  He and Bobbie were good friends in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.  Bobbie lived at 71 Union Street and Charlie lived at 53 Castle Street in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.

“Well Bobbie up to now this journey is uninteresting to me so far, as this is my third time over it and I will not see anything interesting until I pass Hong Kong and then our next stop is in Japan and that will be strange ground to me, at present we are off the coast of Malaya, tomorrow we dock at Singapore…”

“… last time I was there I wish we were pulling in at the docks of Dervock so that I could visit Ballymoney… Ha! Ha!”

RUR in Korea, 1950-51

The following is an extract from the Regimental History of The Royal Ulster Rifles 1793-1960 by Lieutenant Colonel M J P M Corbally.

It stated in part:

“…The second of the two major operations in which the Battalion took part was the Battle of Imjin of the 23rd to 25th April, 1951. Although both the R.O.K. and U.S. flanking formations were heavily engaged the full weight of the attack of the Sixty-Fourth Chinese Communist Army was directed on to the sector held by the British 29th Brigade. The battalions of the latter were disposed on a very wide front. The Belgians were forward across the river. South of the river the 5th Fusiliers and the Gloucesters were right and left forward Battalions respectively, with a gap between them of four thousand yards….

…The Battle of the Imjin was over. The casualties within the Battalion were 10 officers and 176 other ranks, mostly missing. Although the enemy offensive had rolled to within five miles of Seoul, it had broken on the river line. The Gloucesters, in their epic action, had been destroyed. But the Sixty-Fourth Chinese Communist Army had been rendered virtually ineffective for an appreciable period. And Seoul, the South Korean capital, the prize for which the Chinese had gambled and lost, had been saved….

On 12 May 1951 an article published in the Belfast Newsletter stated:

New Offensive Awaited

Tokio, Friday

United Nations troops pushed ahead three miles on the East Korean front today.  In the west, they dug in to meet an expected Communist Offensive.  South Koreans, in an eastern advance north of the 38^th Parallel, met light opposition.  Elsewhere, the front was quiet except for probing patrols, buts there was continual movement behind the Communist lines.

The Communists are building up four stables pockets for a possible two-pronged drive on Seoul.  The appeared to be manning in an areas north and south east of the old capital.

Loudspeakers blared across the mountaintops, urging Communists to hold their positions and telling them reinforcements were on the way.  Allied officers, however, said there was evidence of a general Communist withdrawal between Yanggu and Inja, in which sector the Allied lines has moved up – Associated Press.

R.U.R. Casualties

The War Office yesterday issued Korea casualties list No. 31.  It gives the names of the following men of the Royal Ulster Rifles: –   Missing – 6979990 Rifleman J. R. Anderson, 14122252 Rifleman C.D. Clarke…”

On Friday 25 April 1952 an article published in the Belfast Telegraph stated:

“Roll of Honour – In Memoriam

… Clarke – Treasured memories of my dearly loved only son and brother, Charles, Rf., R.U.R. (attached to Gloucesters), missing, believed killed in the Imjin Battle, Korea, 25^th April, 1951.  Sadly missed by his loving Mother and Sister, 53 Castle Street, Ballymoney.  Love and remembrance last forever.”

On Friday 5 November 1954 an article published in the Belfast Telegraph stated:

“Presumed Dead in Korea

The names of 19 men of the Royal Ulster Rifles who are now presumed to have lost their lives in Korea were announced by the War Office last night.  Previously the men were reported missing:

Irish names on the list are: – Sgt. D. Gaw (Omagh); Riflemen C. Clark (Ballymoney)…”

Excerpt of letter from Charlie to Bobbie…

“Bobbie, I will draw to a close hoping to hear from you soon, so give my regards to all at B’money and now I will say cheerio until next time.

I remain, Your Pal Charlie xxxxx”

Like many others, Charlie did not come home.  I can only hope that he and Bobbie, my father, have been long since reunited.

“…They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. …”

Excerpt from The Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)