Name

Richard James McCourt.

Description

Newspaper Photograph of Private Richard James McCourt.

Life Story

Name: Richard James McCourt.

Service Number: 11947.

Rank: Private.

Battalion: 5th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Born: 17th August 1890, Laghey, County Tyrone.

Died: 15th August 1915.

Address: 25 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast

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Richard James McCourt, son of Richard James and Elizabeth McCourt, husband of the late Charlotte McCourt, lived at 25 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast.

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Richard living at 13 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast with his widowed mother, two sisters, Margaret, 33 years, occupation, Farm Reeley, Mary 32 years, Warehouse Shoe keeper, and brother Thomas John, 18 years, Junior Clerk. Richards occupation at this time is given as House Painter

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Richard McCourt, occupation Soldier, married Charlotte McCourt, Nee Wylie, within Saint Patrick Church of Ireland Church, Ballymacarrett, on the 24th of June 1914.

Sadly Charlotte died not even six months later on the 13th November 1914

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Richard joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

He was posted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 10th July 1915.

Richard was a Private in C Company, 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was Killed In Action on the 15th August 1915 aged 24 years, in fact he died 2 days before his 25th Birthday.

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A local newspaper states.

Pte R. M'Court.

C Coy, 5th Batt, Royal Inniskilling Fus, missing since August 15. His mother resides at 25 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast

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Richards Soldiers Effects were left to his mother.

His Will holds a letter from his sister which states the following.

Sir as far as I remember I sent you on the exact words used by me deceased Brother Pte Richard McCourt. And I really cannot explain to you any further as both myself and my mother has already told you the truth. I cannot explain any plainer to you only what we have already done, these were the exact words used by him in the presence of my mother, my youngest brother, and myself. All that was present on the 16th day of November 1914 at 25 Upper Charleville St Belfast. That in case anything should happen to him either at home or abroad, that his mother was entitled to anything belonging to him, and if anything should happen to her that I his eldest sister, and married sister, and younger and only brother was to have all divided between us three. This was his exact words after his wife's death as no family left. I am truthfully yours Margaret McCourt, 25 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast.

Another letter signed, dated and sent by a David Gray M.D, M.R. C.P, within his Will backs up her letter.

His Pension Application Form shows his mother as claimant.

Dependant Pension Application Forms show his mother as claimant also.

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Richard received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star.

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He is Remembered at Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

To Remember Is To Honour

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