James's half brother and Robert's younger brother. Born on the 22 Mar 1898 at Feeny, Limavady, Northern Ireland, on birth certificate father is William Reilly, dwelling place Knockar, profession is a labourer, mother is Rebecca Reilly, formerly Montgomery. Birth registered by father 12 April 1898. At the time the 1901 census was taken he was three years old living at 19 Pine Street with his mother and 4 older brothers and sisters. In the 1911 census the family had moved to 43 Bond’s Street Waterside.
I have a small bible inscribed with the words John Reilly with best wishes from the Manse, Strabane, Oct 1916. John would have been 18 years old. I was told, he lied about his age when he enlisted and was wounded at the battle of the Somme, where he was buried alive for 3 days, which I assume was why he always suffered from ill health Therefore the bible may have been a gift after he returned from the war from the church. I believe his regiment may have been stationed at Limavady. If he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Londonderry in 1914 he would have been 16. so would not have given his correct age when he enlisted. He may have been in one of the following battalions
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 3rd (Reserve) Battalion August 1914 : in Omagh. Moved on mobilisation to Lough Swilly and in September 1914 to Londonderry.
The Royal Inniskilling Fuisiliers 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry) Formed at Omagh in September 1914 from the Derry Volunteers. Came under orders of 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division and moved to Finner Camp.
In the Presbyterian Church in Ireland -- Roll of Honour 1914-1919 Extract for the Congregation of Derry, Ebrington Church, there is a John Reilly of Bond Street, Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, wounded. William Reilly‘s name is on the Roll of Honour, although it just says, Derry Second Church, (may have been John’s older brother) How many William Reilly’s went to Ebrington Church? I have looked at web sites for John, to try and find him. The proni site for Britisharmysoldiers and the site for the Forces war Records, there are numerous John Reilly’s that enlisted for the Royal Inniskilling Engineers. The following regiment numbers for John Reilly were 17693,26758,10456, 6973867,26878, 19577,19429, 28642, 8144,2335 (Medal Cards)awarded to soldiers who served overseas in WW1.
Does anyone know a good site that I can narrow the search for John Reily who returned from the Battle of the Somme.
Thanks for all the information that was sent to me. It has been very usefull.
Is there a site that I can search the Derry Almanacs. John Reilly was living at 9 Simpsons Brae Waterside, in 1936, this address is on his marriage certificate, his new wife, Mary Kathleen Stewart’s address at the time was Shipquay Street Londonderry. I wanted to find out if there was other members of the family living at the addresses
Thanks again Angela