October 3. Courage of Ballymoney solicitor. Roll of Honour

James Greer, A Ballymoney solicitor, serving as a Lieutenant in the Irish Guards, died this day in 1916. He had previously been wounded and awarded the Military Cross for bravery. Private Joseph Doherty of Seacon, Ballymoney, another Irish Guard who showed outstanding courage and fortunately survived gave an account of his leadership and example to the local Chronicle newspaper. This is included in the entry for James Greer in today’s Roll. Two Coleraine men also fell on this day. Robert Rankin serving with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers is commemorated in the Irish Society School, Coleraine, and St. Patrick’s Parish Church. Rifleman Taylor from Longcommons in the town is remembered at La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Aircraftman Robert Johnston from Lurgan died in Egypt in 1942. In 1943 Flight Lieutenant William Irwin from Craigavad, died over Germany. His remains rest at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Nordrhein Westfalen, Germany. Photo – On the deck of Royal Navy Battleship HMS Rodney while stationed in Gibraltar, 1941. HMS Rodney played a major role in the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, and participated in several coastal bombardments including Operation Torch and the Normandy landings.

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