Dundrum Bay Boating Disaster, Northern Ireland 4 February 1923
On the 4th of February 1923 a group of eight soldiers from the nearby Ballykinlar Army Camp were visiting the village of Dundrum, County Down on their day off. At night these soldiers set out from the village in an open boat back to Ballykinlar Point with the owner Mr Robert Lowry and his son also called Robert. During the journey the boat collapsed owing to the strong tide in Dundrum Bay, all the soldiers and Mr Roberts son Robert aged 17 years all perished.
The soldiers who died were as follows.
Orderly Room Sergeant (O.R.S.) 4114378 Alfred Thomas LONGLEY. 2nd Cheshire Regiment. Born 1899, baptised 22 May 1900 at St Mary Church at Chester, Cheshire to Elizabeth, nee Evans and Arthur Longley. 1901 he was residing with his parents and brother at 14 Militia Barracks, Chester. His father was Sergeant, Cheshire Regiment. His mother was granted a gratuity 17 March 1923.
Sapper 1859874 Albert James DETHERIDGE. 6 Fort Coy, Royal Engineers. Born 1903 in the registration district of Stockport to Elizabeth, nee Harrop and William Detheridge. His father was granted a gratuity 24 March 1923.
Corporal 704554 Alfred Henry HUNT. 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. His father Alfred Henry was granted a gratuity 20 March 1923. His mother may have bee Emily Florence, nee Rose
Private 6335708 Frederick James BELLINGHAM. 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. Born 1902 at Matfield, Kent to Frances Eliza, nee Hodgkin and William James Bellingham. 1911 he was residing with his parents and siblings at 1 brookside Cottages, Muxlewell, Pembury, Kent. His father was granted a gratuity 20 March 1923.
Private 6336930 Richard William WELLARD. 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. Born 1899 at Folkstone, Kent to Alice Maud and Richard William Wellard and husband to Mary. 1901 he was residing with his parents and siblings at 15 Stembrook in the parish of St Mary, Dover. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 25 Hawkesbury Street, Dover. His widow, Mary was granted a gratuity 16 March 1923, revised 8 May 1923.
Private 6337807 William Henry BROOM 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. Born 1900 at Chatham, Kent to Charlotte, nee Hedges and George Henry Broom. 1911 he was residing with his parents and siblings at 41 Perry Street, Chatham, Kent. His father was granted a gratuity 1 March 1923. He was laid to rest in Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Chatham, Kent.
Lance Corporal 633079 Arthur HOWE. 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. His father Frederick was granted a gratuity 22 March 1923.
Private 6335550 Alfred William HYNAM. 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment. Born 1899 at Woolwich Kent to Frances Ann, nee Slingsby and Walter James Hynam. 1901 he was residing with his parents at Sandy Hill, Woolwich, Kent. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at 15 Walpole Place, Woolwich. His father was granted a gratuity 22 March 1923.
His father enlisted into the army 3 January 1887 aged 19 years and 4 months, occupation, collier. served as Driver 59083 Royal Field Artillery. Discharged at Woolwich 5 March 1903. He the re-enlisted 4 June 1916 aged 48 years and 10 months, occupation, collier and fought in the great war as Private 17366 Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service 4 December 1918.
