Coagh and District in World War One

30/06/2019

William was a reserve man and was called up when war was declared.

30/06/2019

Private Curry went on to serve in Gallipoli, France and in Palestine.

30/06/2019

William’s younger brother, Private Hugh Curry, was killed in action in September 1916 at the age of twenty.

30/06/2019

Sirs, could you give me any information on regarding my brother, 2494 Private William Currie, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who was with the Mediterranean Force. We haven’t had any word from him since he landed and we are naturally very anxious, so we would be very thankful for any news of him. Lydia Currie, Drapersfield, Cookstown.

30/06/2019

Letter dated 20th October 1915:

30/06/2019

By 1918 Private William Curry was serving with A Company, 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

30/06/2019

On Sunday 16th May 1915, while Private William Curry was attached to the Special Reserve, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he was wounded. He received seventeen wounds (some through the centre of his body) at the Battle of Festubert.

30/06/2019

Private Curry volunteered for the front again when his wounds were barely healed.

30/06/2019

William signed his re-engagement papers on 22nd August 1912.

30/06/2019

Family: Robert Curry, Jane Curry, Lizzie Curry (born about 1878, Scotland), Samuel Curry (born 16th December 1879), Willie Curry (born 30th November 1882), Maggie Curry (born 12th February 1886), Robert Curry (born 5th February 1889), Lydia Curry (born 10th April 1893), Hugh Curry (born 3rd December 1895).

30/06/2019

The 1911 census lists William as age 29, living with the family at house 23 in Cloghog, Moneyhaw. They were a family of labourers.

30/06/2019

William joined up for four more years in 1908, presumably as a reserve. He enlisted Omagh 3rd December 1908. He was with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

30/06/2019

William enlisted in Omagh 1st July 1903. His papers state he was born in the parish of Tamlaght, Cookstown. He was age 20 and worked as a farm labourer for a Mr Gardiner of Cookstown.

30/06/2019

The 1901 census lists William as age 18, living with the family at house 3 in Tullyweery, Red Row, Coagh. Both William and his father were labourers.

30/06/2019

William Curry was the son of Robert and Jane Curry (nee Walker). William was born on 30th November 1882 in Ardtrea, County Tyrone.

30/06/2019

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th June 1916 lists a Roll of Honour of Tamlaght National School. Listed there is a Private William Curry of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

30/06/2019

Private Curry was removed to a military hospital in Essex, England.

30/06/2019

In early 1918 Private Curry was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Palestine whilst serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. When a soldier who was bringing up sorely needed ammunition was shot, Private Currie volunteered to take his place and succeeded in his effort, though fiercely fired upon at the time. ‘You are a brave man, Currie’ said the General when awarding the Military Medal to Private Curry.

30/06/2019

On his certificate he received when leaving the army on 10th December 1918, William’s specialist military qualification was as a stretcher bearer.

30/06/2019

On 29th November 1918 Private William Currie was posted to duties coal-mining.

30/06/2019

William Currie was demobilized on 9th January 1919 in Dublin. His home address was given as Roseloch Lodge, Airdrie.

30/06/2019

On 14th September 1920 awarded a pension. His disabilities included malaria and a gunshot wound to the chest.

30/06/2019

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th June 1916 lists a Roll of Honour of Tamlaght National School. Listed there is a Private William Curry of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

30/06/2019

12/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 29th May 1915:

12/03/2019

From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th April 1918: The Military Medal

12/03/2019

Private William Currie, A Company, 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (son of Mrs Robert Currie, Drapersfield, Cookstown), has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Palestine whilst serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, commanded by General Allenby. When a soldier who was bringing up sorely needed ammunition was shot, Private Currie volunteered to take his place and succeeded in his effort, though fiercely fired upon at the time. ‘You are a brave man, Currie’ said the General when awarding the Military Medal to him. Private Currie was a reserve man and was called up when war was declared. He served in Gallipoli, France and in Palestine, and despite the fact that he received seventeen wounds (some through the centre of his body) at Festubert in May 1915, he volunteered for the front when his wounds were barely healed. We congratulate Mrs Robert Currie, Sandy Row, Drapersfield, upon her son’s gallant record in arms for King and country, and upon this distinction conferred for his bravery. His brother Hugh was in the Ulster Division, and was killed in September 1916 at the age of twenty.

12/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd March 1918: Drapersfield Man Wins Military Medal

12/03/2019

Mrs Jane Curry, Drapersfield, has received a letter from her son, Private William Curry, attached to the Special Reserve, 3rd Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been at the front for a considerable time, that he has been wounded and is in a military hospital in Essex, England. His injury was received in the fighting on Sunday 16th May. He makes kind enquiries about others from the neighbourhood whom he knows have been in the firing line.

12/03/2019

Last night’s London Gazette announced that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officers and men:- 2/2494 Private W Curry, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Drapersfield, County Tyrone.

Date	Information

30/06/2019	William was a reserve man and was called up when war was declared.
30/06/2019	Private Curry went on to serve in Gallipoli, France and in Palestine.
30/06/2019	William’s younger brother, Private Hugh Curry, was killed in action in September 1916 at the age of twenty.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	Sirs, could you give me any information on regarding my brother, 2494 Private William Currie, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who was with the Mediterranean Force. We haven’t had any word from him since he landed and we are naturally very anxious, so we would be very thankful for any news of him. Lydia Currie, Drapersfield, Cookstown.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	Letter dated 20th October 1915:
30/06/2019	By 1918 Private William Curry was serving with A Company, 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30/06/2019	On Sunday 16th May 1915, while Private William Curry was attached to the Special Reserve, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he was wounded. He received seventeen wounds (some through the centre of his body) at the Battle of Festubert.
30/06/2019	Private Curry volunteered for the front again when his wounds were barely healed.
30/06/2019	William signed his re-engagement papers on 22nd August 1912.
30/06/2019	Family: Robert Curry, Jane Curry, Lizzie Curry (born about 1878, Scotland), Samuel Curry (born 16th December 1879), Willie Curry (born 30th November 1882), Maggie Curry (born 12th February 1886), Robert Curry (born 5th February 1889), Lydia Curry (born 10th April 1893), Hugh Curry (born 3rd December 1895).
30/06/2019	The 1911 census lists William as age 29, living with the family at house 23 in Cloghog, Moneyhaw. They were a family of labourers.
30/06/2019	William joined up for four more years in 1908, presumably as a reserve. He enlisted Omagh 3rd December 1908. He was with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30/06/2019	William enlisted in Omagh 1st July 1903. His papers state he was born in the parish of Tamlaght, Cookstown. He was age 20 and worked as a farm labourer for a Mr Gardiner of Cookstown.
30/06/2019	The 1901 census lists William as age 18, living with the family at house 3 in Tullyweery, Red Row, Coagh. Both William and his father were labourers.
30/06/2019	William Curry was the son of Robert and Jane Curry (nee Walker). William was born on 30th November 1882 in Ardtrea, County Tyrone.
30/06/2019	The Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th June 1916 lists a Roll of Honour of Tamlaght National School. Listed there is a Private William Curry of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30/06/2019	Private Curry was removed to a military hospital in Essex, England.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	In early 1918 Private Curry was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Palestine whilst serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. When a soldier who was bringing up sorely needed ammunition was shot, Private Currie volunteered to take his place and succeeded in his effort, though fiercely fired upon at the time. ‘You are a brave man, Currie’ said the General when awarding the Military Medal to Private Curry.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	On his certificate he received when leaving the army on 10th December 1918, William’s specialist military qualification was as a stretcher bearer.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	On 29th November 1918 Private William Currie was posted to duties coal-mining.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019	William Currie was demobilized on 9th January 1919 in Dublin. His home address was given as Roseloch Lodge, Airdrie.
30/06/2019	On 14th September 1920 awarded a pension. His disabilities included malaria and a gunshot wound to the chest.
30/06/2019	The Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th June 1916 lists a Roll of Honour of Tamlaght National School. Listed there is a Private William Curry of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30/06/2019
30/06/2019
12/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 29th May 1915:
12/03/2019
12/03/2019	From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th April 1918: The Military Medal
12/03/2019	Private William Currie, A Company, 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (son of Mrs Robert Currie, Drapersfield, Cookstown), has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Palestine whilst serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, commanded by General Allenby. When a soldier who was bringing up sorely needed ammunition was shot, Private Currie volunteered to take his place and succeeded in his effort, though fiercely fired upon at the time. ‘You are a brave man, Currie’ said the General when awarding the Military Medal to him. Private Currie was a reserve man and was called up when war was declared. He served in Gallipoli, France and in Palestine, and despite the fact that he received seventeen wounds (some through the centre of his body) at Festubert in May 1915, he volunteered for the front when his wounds were barely healed. We congratulate Mrs Robert Currie, Sandy Row, Drapersfield, upon her son’s gallant record in arms for King and country, and upon this distinction conferred for his bravery. His brother Hugh was in the Ulster Division, and was killed in September 1916 at the age of twenty.
12/03/2019
12/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd March 1918: Drapersfield Man Wins Military Medal
12/03/2019	Mrs Jane Curry, Drapersfield, has received a letter from her son, Private William Curry, attached to the Special Reserve, 3rd Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been at the front for a considerable time, that he has been wounded and is in a military hospital in Essex, England. His injury was received in the fighting on Sunday 16th May. He makes kind enquiries about others from the neighbourhood whom he knows have been in the firing line.
12/03/2019
12/03/2019	Last night’s London Gazette announced that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officers and men:- 2/2494 Private W Curry, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Drapersfield, County Tyrone.