Name

James Quinn

Description

Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman James Quinn

Life Story

Name: James Quinn.

Service Number: 13407.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion:9th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 14th March 1873, Belfast.

Died: 1st July 1916.

Address: 280 Conway Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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James Quinn, son of Hugh and Ann Quinn, lived with his wife Margaret and 4 sons, James, George, Hugh and Sinclair, at 280 Conway Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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James had married Maggie Quinn, Nee Scott, born 13th March 1886, and now aged 16 years, on the 3rd November 1902 within Trinity Church Belfast.

Although documents show they had at least seven children S.A.S.H can only display the Dates of Births of four. They are as follows: James, born 24th September 1903, George, born 11th of July 1906, Hugh, born 12th February 1911, Sinclair, born 23rd January 1916

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The 1911 Ireland Census has James living at 71 Springfield Village, Belfast with his wife, sons James, 7 years, George, 4 years, Hugh under 1 year, and daughter Millie, 2 years. His mother in law, Millie Scott, 48 years, Flax Spinner, also lived with them. James occupation at this time is given as Shipyard Labourer. This Census shows that James and Margaret had six children, but sadly only four were alive

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James joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 4th of October 1915.

James Quinn was a Rifleman in 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 1st of July 1916 aged 43 years.

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A local newspaper in 1916 states.

Rifleman J Quinn, Royal Irish Rifles, missing since July 1, was a stager on the Queens Island previous to the war. His wife and four children reside at 222, Conway Street, Belfast, and would be glad of any news regarding his whereabouts

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Another newspaper in 1917 states.

Mrs Quinn 280 Conway Street, Belfast, has been officially advised that her husband, Rifleman James Quinn, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on July 1, on which date he was previously reported missing

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S.A.S.H would ask people to reflect upon the depth of emotions involved in these families during the period of time it would take before finding out if their (Missing) loved ones had survived, been taken prisoner, been killed or died through illness. James would obviously have known about his child's birth, but would he have gotten the chance to see his youngest son Sinclair

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James Soldiers Effects were left to his widow Margaret.

A Pension Application Form shows his wife as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows Margaret as claimant also

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James received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star

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He is Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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