| The History of Coagh booklet lists Private James Phelan as having served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the war.
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| James Phelan was born about 1884 in Tyrone.
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| The 1901 census lists James as age 17, living with his mother at house 6 in Urbal Street, Coagh. His mother, Rose McKenna, was described as ‘not married’. She was employed as a flax spinner. James was a labourer.
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| James Phelan and Mary Wright were married on 15th July 1908 in the district of Cookstown. They went on to have at least four children.
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| Known family: James Phelan, Mary Phelan, Patrick Phelan (20th August 1908), John Phelan (born 20th September 1909), James Phelan (born 8th June 1912), Mary Phelan (born 3rd December 1914).
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| The 1911 census lists James as age 27, living with his wife and son John at house 34 in Great George's Street, Coagh. James was a labourer.
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| It seems from the 1911 census that James’ eldest son, Patrick, was living with his grandfather, Denis McLernon, who also lived in Great George's Street, Coagh.
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| Private Phelan was a reserve man and finished his time, but when war was declared he volunteered again.
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| Private James Phelan is mentioned in a letter from Private John Mitchell in June 1915.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915: Coagh Soldier’s Determination
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| Private John Mitchell, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his parents at Coagh on 18th May, says:-
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| ‘I am very thankful to be alive and able to write to you. We have had a terrible time in the trenches, being there for the past ten days without a rest. But thank God James Phelan and I came through it quite safely. Welsh was wounded in the arm and has been taken off to hospital, but I think he will be alright again before long. We have got some revenge for the boys who were killed, but I can tell you it was a very sickening night – hundreds of men lying dead all around us, and the groans of the wounded were simply hear-rending. I shall hope and trust I shall never see anything like it in all my life again. However, we managed to get what we wanted, as daresay you will see for yourself by the papers at home. One thing sure, we gave the Germans to know that we were Irishmen and that we were still determined to see Berlin. The weather here has been very wet which makes matters very much worse in the trenches. As a matter of fact, sometimes we are more like mud men than soldiers. Just now we are having a few days’ rest, which indeed we require very badly. But, for all that, we are feeling very fit, and for my part, I am in the very best of health and spirits. We are very proud of what our battalion was able to accomplish in the last big battle. The men, everyone, fought like heroes, each man doing his best, quite regardless of the danger to himself. I feel quite sure that God is on our side, and that we are sure to come off victorious at the last. I am hoping and trusting to be spared to see you all again when this bloody fray is over, but if called to do so, I shall willing lay down my life for the sake of my King and country. ‘
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| Private Phelan came through the first twelve months at the front unscathed.
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| A newspaper report from December 1915 notes that he had returned home on furlough to his wife in Coagh.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th December 1915: Coagh Soldier’s Experience
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| Private James Phelan, of the Inniskillings, who belongs to Coagh, paid a week’s visit to his wife. Private Phelan was a reserve man and finished his time, but when war was declared he volunteered again, and has spent twelve months in the firing line unscratched. He is still in the same good spirits and looking fit as ever. He told our representative that Richebourg was an awful fight. He was there in May last, when the Inniskillings lost 1,000 men. He had some narrow escapes, men being shot down around him. He has just returned to the theatre of war.
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| In December 1916 it was reported that Private James Phelan had been some time in Derry.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd December 1916:
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| Privates James Phelan and William McCollum are home on leave. Private James Phelan has been some time in Derry, while Private McCollum has just returned from the trenches. In the big attack of 1st July, he showed conspicuous gallantry, for which he has since been awarded a stripe. Before enlisting, he was employed with Mr Hugh Dickson, Lower Coagh.
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