Coagh and District in World War One

28/04/2019

David Sands enlisted on 13th April 1915.

28/04/2019

26/04/2019

David Sands was the son of William and Ellen / Eleanor Sands. William Sands married Eleanor Marks on 22nd April 1884 in the district of Cookstown.

26/04/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th March 1918: Coagh

26/04/2019

Private Davy Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and Private Davy Sands, Royal Irish Rifles, are home on leave.

26/04/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th March 1918: Coagh

26/04/2019

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.

26/04/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd May 2016:

26/04/2019

Private Robert Sands from Coagh, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ("C" company) 'Killed in Action: 8th May 1916 'Age: 23 'Authuile Military Cemetery, France, Grave D 45. The 100th anniversary of the death of Private Robert Sands from Coagh, Co Tyrone in the Great War is set to be marked by his great nephew Alan Day and Cookstown Friends of the Somme. A talk on Private Sands and other men from Coagh who perished is set to be held in the town’s Masonic Hall on Wednesday at 8pm. ‘The freedom`s and civil & religious liberties we cherish should never be taken for granted. 100 years ago one of my forebears, Robert Sands, made the ultimate sacrifice,’ said Alan Day. ‘Our family cherishes the memorabilia we have including a portrait, a handmade stick carved by Robert Sands, his medals, his will and enlistment certificates for both Robert and his brother David Sands issued by the authorities in Ireland from Dublin Castle.’

26/04/2019

The History of Coagh booklet lists Private David Sands as having served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles in the war.

26/04/2019

David was born on2nd January 1897 in Tamlaght, Coagh, County Tyrone. He was one of ten children.

26/04/2019

The 1901 census records David as age 4, living with the family at house 10 in Aghaveagh, Coagh. Robert’s father, William Sands, was a labourer.

26/04/2019

The 1911 census does not list David as living with the family at house 3 in Urbal, Coagh, Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer, as was his older brother.

26/04/2019

The 1911 census lists Robert and David Sands at house 3 in Mullaghtironey, Coagh. They were living with and working for the Charleton family as farm servants.

26/04/2019

Family: William Sands, Eleanor Sands, William John Sands (born 29th June 1884), Charlotte Sands (born 19th August 1886), Maggie J Sands (born about 1889), Robert Sands (born about 1893), Sarah E Sands (born 5th September 1894), David Sands (born 2nd January 1897), Fredrick Sands (born 30th December 1899), Harriett E Sands (born 7th December 1902), Samuel Sands (born 14th May 1905), Herbert Sands (born 20th September 1906).

26/04/2019

Private Sands later served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles with the Service No. 41593.

26/04/2019

Another Sands family, from Dungannon, had at least four sons who served. One of them, David Sands, who served with the 1st Battalion of th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died in the war.

26/04/2019

Private David Sands served with the North Irish Horse, with the Service No. 1482.

Date	Information

28/04/2019	David Sands enlisted on 13th April 1915.
28/04/2019
26/04/2019	David Sands was the son of William and Ellen / Eleanor Sands. William Sands married Eleanor Marks on 22nd April 1884 in the district of Cookstown.
26/04/2019
26/04/2019
26/04/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th March 1918: Coagh
26/04/2019
26/04/2019	Private Davy Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and Private Davy Sands, Royal Irish Rifles, are home on leave.
26/04/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th March 1918: Coagh
26/04/2019
26/04/2019	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.
26/04/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd May 2016:
26/04/2019	Private Robert Sands from Coagh, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ("C" company) 'Killed in Action: 8th May 1916 'Age: 23 'Authuile Military Cemetery, France, Grave D 45. The 100th anniversary of the death of Private Robert Sands from Coagh, Co Tyrone in the Great War is set to be marked by his great nephew Alan Day and Cookstown Friends of the Somme. A talk on Private Sands and other men from Coagh who perished is set to be held in the town’s Masonic Hall on Wednesday at 8pm. ‘The freedom`s and civil & religious liberties we cherish should never be taken for granted. 100 years ago one of my forebears, Robert Sands, made the ultimate sacrifice,’ said Alan Day. ‘Our family cherishes the memorabilia we have including a portrait, a handmade stick carved by Robert Sands, his medals, his will and enlistment certificates for both Robert and his brother David Sands issued by the authorities in Ireland from Dublin Castle.’
26/04/2019	The History of Coagh booklet lists Private David Sands as having served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles in the war.
26/04/2019	David was born on2nd January 1897 in Tamlaght, Coagh, County Tyrone. He was one of ten children.
26/04/2019	The 1901 census records David as age 4, living with the family at house 10 in Aghaveagh, Coagh. Robert’s father, William Sands, was a labourer.
26/04/2019	The 1911 census does not list David as living with the family at house 3 in Urbal, Coagh, Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer, as was his older brother.
26/04/2019	The 1911 census lists Robert and David Sands at house 3 in Mullaghtironey, Coagh. They were living with and working for the Charleton family as farm servants.
26/04/2019	Family: William Sands, Eleanor Sands, William John Sands (born 29th June 1884), Charlotte Sands (born 19th August 1886), Maggie J Sands (born about 1889), Robert Sands (born about 1893), Sarah E Sands (born 5th September 1894), David Sands (born 2nd January 1897), Fredrick Sands (born 30th December 1899), Harriett E Sands (born 7th December 1902), Samuel Sands (born 14th May 1905), Herbert Sands (born 20th September 1906).
26/04/2019	Private Sands later served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles with the Service No. 41593.
26/04/2019	Another Sands family, from Dungannon, had at least four sons who served. One of them, David Sands, who served with the 1st Battalion of th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died in the war.
26/04/2019	Private David Sands served with the North Irish Horse, with the Service No. 1482.