Richard STARRETT. (2)

Disability Report for -

Richard STARRETT. Rifleman D/25132, 30th Royal Ulster Rifles. Born 30 September 1885, baptised 20 December 1885 at St John Church, Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire England to Mary Ann, nee Hull and William Starrett. Husband of Annie Harriet, nee Moorhead who he married 9 June 1912 at St Marks Church, Dundonald, Belfast. His wife died 13 February 1937, her residence given at 18 Bright Street, Belfast. He died 25 March 1943 aged 59 years at the 24th London General Hospital, Campbell College, Belfast.

At rest in Section B1, Grave 744 of Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast Northern Ireland.

Irish census 1901, Aged 15 years he was residing with his mother and siblings at 10 Bright Street, East Belfast. He worked at the ropeworks, Connswater as a machine boy which was near to his home. 1911 he was a boarder along with his sister at the home of the Thompson family at 7 Mount Street, East Belfast. His occupation aged 28 was steam pipe cleaner.

Some notes from what remains of his army records -

He enlisted into the 8/6th Royal Irish Rifles in Belfast aged 29 years and 9 months on the 28th September 1914 and posted to the army reserve. His next of kin was his wife who resided at 9 Templemore Avenue, East Belfast. 30 September 1914 he joined his regiment as Private 491. 21 May 1915 he was at Ballykinlar Camp, County Down. 24 September he was on a Medical Board at the camp where he was discharged medically unfit for war service due to epilepsy. It was stated on the board that he an epileptic fit on 13 April 1915 which was witnessed by Lieutenant J Pee, R.A.M.C. His friends stated that he had had several such attacks previously to enlistment. He was discharged from Ballykinlar Camp to his home at 22 Bright Street after serving 236 days.

Permission granted to use photo of Richard by Perry O’Brien F.T. Ancestry