Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch
Coagh - Those That Served
22518   Private David Mitchell M.M.
Dated added: 22/06/2017
Last updated: 02/01/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service:
9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
04/05/1897
Died:
 (Survived The War)
Age:
Summary
David Mitchell was the son of Thomas and Hannah Mitchell. He was born in Tamlaght, County Tyrone on born 4th May 1897. By May 1915, David and two brothers were with the Ulster Division. David as injured around the time of the Somme. The other two brothers who enlisted both died. Private David Mitchell was awarded the the Military Medal in June 1919.
Further Information
The History of Coagh booklet lists Private David Mitchell as having served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the war. He was awarded the Military Medal.
David Mitchell was the son of Thomas and Hannah Mitchell. Thomas Mitchell married Hannah Taylor on 5th October 1889 in the district of Cookstown.
David was born in Tamlaght, County Tyrone on born 4th May 1897. He was the fourth of seven children.
The 1901 census lists David as age 4 living with the family at house 39 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. His father, Thomas Mitchell, was a labourer in a creamery.
Family: Thomas Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell, Robert Mitchell (born 4th July 1890), Joseph Mitchell (born 18th June 1892), William Thomas Mitchell (born 13th September 1894), David Mitchell (born 4th May 1897), Margaret Mitchell (born 23rd August 1899), George Mitchell (born 3rd February 1902), Mary Mitchell (born 10th August 1904).
The 1911 census lists David as age 14 living with the family at house 27 in Urbal, Coagh. David was still at school.
1915
A newspaper report from May 1915 confirms that David was with the Ulster Division. It seems he served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers throughout the war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd May 1915:
Mr and Mrs John Mitchell, Coagh, have given four sons to serve their King and country. Mr and Mrs Thomas Mitchell come second with three sons in the Ulster Division. Altogether since the beginning, Coagh and district is nobly responding to the call.
1916
Both David and his brother Joseph were injured in March 1916. Private David Mitchell was wounded by a rifle grenade on 28th March 1916.
From the Tyrone Constitution dated 7th April 1916:
20815 Private J Mitchell, No 2 Company, gas poisoning, 11th March 1916. His mother (Mrs Annie Mitchell), resides at Coagh, Tyrone.
22518 Private D Mitchell, No 2 Company, wounded by rifle grenade on 28th March 1916. Private Mitchell’s mother (Mrs Annie Mitchell), resides at Coagh, Tyrone
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Coagh
Private Joey and David Mitchell, sons of Mr Thomas Mitchell, Coagh, have been home on a week’s leave. They were both wounded in action, but are now all right. They returned to their units on Monday.
They returned to their respective units at the end of August 1916.
1918
A newspaper report from March 1918 records that Private David Mitchell was home on furlough.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th March 1918: Coagh
Private Davy Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and Private Davy Sands, Royal Irish Rifles, are home on leave.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th March 1918: Coagh
A social and dance was held in Coagh Orange Hall on Tuesday evening to bid farewell to Private D Mitchell and Private D Sands, prior to their departure for the front. It was attended by a large crowd of friends and acquaintances, and the pretty dresses of the gentler sex blended harmoniously with the artistic and patriotic surroundings. Tea was served by Mrs Thomas Hagan (Insurance), Mrs John Hagan and Miss A Hagan and Miss S Sands; and songs were given by Messrs Bob Hagan, Sam Kielty, William McKnight, T Bradley, S Hutchinson, Sam Gibson and Mrs T Young, The Misses Bella and A McKnight, Miss Cissy Hagan and Miss C Sands.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th April 1918: Coagh
Private Davy Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was home on furlough, has returned to his unit.
1919
Private David Mitchell received the Military Medal (M.M.)
The London Gazette, dated 17th June 1919 (page 7671), 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: 22518 Pte. Mitchell, D., 9th Bn. (Cookstown, Co. Tyrone). Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
World War Two
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th July 1940: Coagh – Mitchell Family
Privates Johnny and Robert Mitchell, of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (A.M.P.C.), have been home on leave from France last week. Another brother, Charles, while not officially reported missing, has not been heard of for several weeks. Johnny came through the last war without a scratch, while his brother Robert, having been accepted at the close, later saw Service in India. Another brother, James, was killed in the last war.
A cousin, Private David Mitchell, is at present home on leave. He had two brothers who made the supreme sacrifice in the last war, which he came through being twice wounded. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. Interviewed by our correspondent, he described his miraculous escape from Dunkirk during the evacuation, and some heartrending scenes in Belgium which he saw of people leaving their homes without food or much clothing.
Read more
Relevant Coagh Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Great Georges Street, Coagh Coagh Village Census listing in Great Georges Street, Coagh 54.647155 -6.617398
2 Urbal, Coagh Urbal Census listing in Urbal 54.646144 -6.620020
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Mitchell family 1901 census lists David as age 9 at house 39 in Great Georges Street, Coagh
2 1911 Census lists Mitchell family 1911 census lists David as age 19 at house 27 in Urbal, Coagh
3 Brother - Joseph Mitchell Also served. Died in the the war
4 Brother - William T Mitchell Also served. Died in the the war
5 London Gazette - 13/06/1919 Military Medal, 22518 Pte Mitchell, D, 9th Bn (Cookstown)
6 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here (22578)
7 National Archives UK Military Medal card can be purchased here (22518)
Coagh & District in WW1
2018-2022