Ref ID: 4407
Name
C.W.G.C Grave Registration Report Form.
Description
C.W.G.C Grave Registration Report Form relating to Corporal Arthur Doran.
Life Story
Name: Arthur Doran.
Service Number: 7451.
Rank: Corporal.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 24th May 1884, Belfast.
Died: 27th August 1914.
Address: 12 Merkland Street, Belfast
.
Arthur Patrick Doran, son of Patrick and Mary Doran, lived with his wife Sarah and son at 12 Merkland Street, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Arthur living at 22 Lucknow Street, Belfast with his mother, occupation, House Wife, five brothers, James McCann, 14 years, Shop Boy, Joseph, 11 years, Robert Emmett, 9 years, Charles Gerard, 2 years, Henry O'Hagan, 1 year, and sister Madge, 5 years. A Minnie is registered as Head Of Family within this Census. Arthur's occupation at this time is given as Clerk-Drapery
.
Arthur, who is registered as a Catholic in the above census, married Sarah Doran, Nee Hermon, a Protestant, on the 12th of September 1909 within Saint Michaels Church, Belfast. They went on to have son Arthur James Dornan on the 2nd of April 1911. Arthurs religion is then given as Protestant within the census below.
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The 1911 Ireland Census has Arthur living at 278 Cupar Street, Belfast with his wife Sarah, his son Arthur James, his mother in law Mary Hermon, who is registered as Head Of Family within the Census, and 4 Brother In Laws also, James, 22 years, Iron Foundry Machinist, Robert, 16 years, Iron Foundry Machinist, Charles, 13 years, and Leonard, 9 years. Arthurs occupation at this time is given as Butcher.
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Arthur joined the Royal Irish Rifles.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 13th of August 1914.
Arthur was a Corporal in B Company 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action in France on the 27th of August 1914 aged 30 years
.
A local newspaper states.
BELFAST SOLDIERS KILLED IN ACTION.
News has reached their immediate relatives of the death in France of two Belfast Soldiers, Corporal Arthur Doran, of B Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and Private John M'Coskrie, also of 2nd Battalion R.I.R, who are reported killed in action on the 18th inst. Both were Reservists, and both were Twenty-seven years of age. Corporal Doran in his last letter home from the seat of war, wrote to his wife- This is the last letter you will receive from me for some time, as we expect to leave for the fighting front tomorrow. Private M'Coskrie who was also married, had previously served three years in the army, was a member of the East Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force, and was also connected with the Artisans' Temperance L.O.L No 386
.
Another newspaper States.
DEATH OF A BELFAST SOLDIER.
One of the men to fall in the present war was Arthur Doran, a Reservist, who before going to the front had acted as general secretary of the Irish Operative Butchers and Fleshers Association. At a meeting of that organisation on Monday night last well deserved tributes were paid to his memory by a number of the members. Mr S Ewart occupied the chair. On the motion of Mr S McKitterick, seconded by Mr F P Harkin, and supported by Mr Ingram and the chairman, it was decided to forward a letter of condolence to the widow and son of the deceased. In the speeches appreciative references were made to Private Doran's abilities and also to the gallantry he had shown on behalf of his country
.
Trade Unionist Official Arthur Doran must have been known and respected in Belfast as other newspaper articles show that he stood within the triennial elections in connection with the Belfast Board of Guardians within both Clifton and Victoria Wards. He also took part in talks concerning the removal of slum districts within the Shankill, Falls, elsewhere, as well as voicing his concerns about other issues within the city.
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Arthurs wife Sarah immigrated to Canada and remarried Charles Henry Gates on the 7th October 1919. She eventually died in Toronto in 1970. Their son Arthur James had sadly passed away in 1968.
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Arthur left his Soldiers Effects to his wife Sarah.
His Will signed and dated the 13th of August 1914 left all his Property and Effects to his wife also.
A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his wife Sarah and child as claimants.
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Arthur received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star
.
He is Remembered at Caudry Old Communal Cemetery, France
.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
0
Classification
Book or Journal,
Certificate/Permit,
