World War Two and one fallen Post World War Two in Northern Ireland
In everlasting memory of
James McNeilly BELSHAW. Carpenter 142492, Merchant Navy on S.S. Kenbane Head (Belfast).
Born on the 10 September 1904 at Ballywalter to John and Jane Belshaw, nee McNeilly. 1901 his parents were residing at 180 Ballywalter. Father in the Coastguard. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 10 Lackagh, nr Dawros, County Donegal. His father as Petty Officer, Coastguard.
Resided at 2 Dunleath Terrace, Ballywalter.
He was the husband of Jane of Ballywalter, County Down.
Died at sea on the 5th November 1940 aged 36 at the result of the sinking of his ship by enemy shell fire from German battlecruiser.
Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Harry CROMIE Lance Corporal 1888355, 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers,
Born 10 December 1912 to Thomas and Eva Cromie, nee Brennan of Ballywalter.
Died 23rd March 1942 aged 30.
Memorial has Sapper, CWGC lists Henry
Commemorated on the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
David CROMIE. Stoker 1st Class, D/KX15720, Royal Navy on fast cruiser minelayer H.M.S. Abdiel (M39)
Born 25 February 1924 to Albert and Agnes Cromie, of Ballywalter, Co. Down
Died at sea on the 10th September 1943 aged 19. The ship was sunk by mines in the Taranto harbour, Italy, which had been laid hours earlier by two German torpedo boats S-54 and S-61.
Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
Robert CROMIE. Gunner 1476595, 5th Battery, 2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Born 2 March 1908 to Robert and Martha Cromie, nee Semple of Ballywalter, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. 1911 residing with his parents at 12 Ballaghbeg, Newcastle, County Down, Ireland.
Husband of Edith A. Cromie, of Ballywalter.
Died 20th June 1942 aged 33.
At rest in Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya.
All killed in action in the 1939 - 1945 war.
Post WW2 Northern Ireland
BIRCH, John, Private 24469635, 3rd Ulster Defence Regiment killed 9th April 1990 aged 28. He was killed by 1000 lb IRA landmine detonated by command wire as two land rovers passed. The explosion left a crater 50 feet long, 40 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Three of his colleagues died with him, Lance Corporal John Bradley, Private Michael Adams and Private Steven Smart. It was the Regiments largest single loss of life since four soldiers were killed in July 1983. John had previous service in the Irish Guards. His third child was born 4 months after his death. 184th UDR soldier to be killed. He is at rest in Whitechurch Cemetery, Ballywalter, County Down
