Annalong Remembers The Great War 1914 - 1918 What caused ‘The Great War’ 1914 - 1918? There were many factors which led to the outbreak of the ‘Great War’ in Europe. Many of these contributory causes were rooted in the long history of the established powers in Europe at that time - Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Britain. Political wrangles, secret alliances, imperialism and nationalistic pride combined to make early twentieth-century Europe a dangerous powder keg waiting to explode. Alliances In the years preceding the outbreak of war, the European nations were continually manoeuvring and making alliances in order to protect or advance their own interests. In 1881, Germany made an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy which guaranteed that all three parties would help each other if attacked by France. However, behind the scenes, Italy had made a secret side deal with France saying they would not help the Germans. In 1904, Britain and France signed a pact and then in 1907 Britain, France and Russia committed themselves to a three-way agreement known as the ‘Triple Entente’. Germany saw this latest agreement as a real threat to its power and position. Imperialism For centuries, European powers like the British, French and Dutch had been successfully building empires around the world which had created much wealth through trade, natural assets and in many cases, slavery. Other countries like Germany and Russia were envious of the imperial success of their neighbours and began to plan the creation of their own empires. Tensions grew throughout Europe and as distrust and dislike dominated political affairs - many recognised that conflict was inevitable. Assassination On June 28th 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated in Sarajevo. The Austrians blamed the Serbians and saw this as an opportunity to put the Serbs in their place by imposing a number of harsh conditions which had to be met within 48 hours. When the Serbs failed to respond satisfactorily, Austria-Hungary officially declared war on Serbia on July 28th. Domino effect Because of all various alliances and understandings it seemed inevitable that country by country, Europe would descend into European and worldwide conflict. Austria-Hungary had hoped they could annex Serbia quickly and avoid Russia becoming involved. However, Russia immediately began to mobilise its troops and make ready for war. In response, Germany (Austria- Hungary’s closest ally) declared war on Russia on August 1st. A few days later, Germany declared Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval 3 war on France and invaded Belgium which prompted Britain to declare war on Germany. unlike Great Britain, conscription was never introduced in Ireland. The ‘Great War’ had begun. In 2015, Brunswick Accordion Band began the task of finding out more about the men from The Ulster crisis Annalong who fell during the conflict. This project has identified 30 men with Annalong connections who did not return from the Great War. The content of this publication is not In Ulster, political tensions had also reached fever pitch due to the Home Rule crisis which had a definitive list - the information we have on some casualties is incomplete. Indeed there engulfed the province. Two previous attempts to devolve powers from London to Dublin had may be further casualties whom we have not yet discovered. been politically defeated in 1886 and 1893 however a series of radical changes in the political landscape meant that in 1912, the ‘Third Home Rule Bill’ appeared to be unstoppable. On Iain Carlisle September 28th 1912, almost 450,000 Unionists recorded their absolute rejection of Home Rule Brunswick Accordion Band by signing the Ulster Covenant and Women’s Declaration - pledging themselves to defeat the Bill November 2016 by using ‘all means which may be found necessary’. The Ulster Volunteer Force was formed in early 1913 and within a year, over 80,000 men had enlisted. The organisation was well structured, disciplined and financed and in April 1914 imported a significant shipment of arms and ammunition. The Unionist leader, Sir Edward Carson stated “I am not for a game of bluff and, unless men are prepared to make great sacrifices which they clearly understand, the talk of resistance is useless.” In response to Unionist militancy, Irish Nationalists formed their own armed paramilitary organisation known as the Irish Volunteers. Whilst their organisation lacked the defined leadership and discipline of the UVF, its membership was twice the size and they too set about importing weapons to ensure Home Rule was enacted in Ireland. By the Spring of 1914, civil war looked increasingly inevitable in Ireland. However the outbreak of war in Europe overtook events locally. Unionists were keen to quickly prove their loyalty to King Sergeants of the 13th Btn (Co. Down Volunteers) Royal Irish Rifles and Empire and encouraged by their political leaders quickly began to enlist in the armed forces. The ‘Ulster Division’ was formally created in October 1914 and following a period of training, over 17,000 volunteers paraded through Belfast in May 1915 - en route to England and then France. Unionists believed their service would guarantee that Home Rule would not be enacted in Ireland. Many Nationalists also volunteered to fight, and whilst their leadership was split on the subject, many Irish Volunteers followed the lead of John Redmond, the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, in signing up to the British and Allied cause. Many thought their service would help Abreviaitons used – protect the ‘freedom of small nations’ and in turn would deliver Home Rule for Ireland. CWGC Commonwealth War Graves Commission Annalong, like every village and town throughout Britain and Ireland, saw many of her sons SDGW Soldiers died in the Great War eagerly sign up to go to war. The promise of adventure, travel, a noble cause, a steady wage, KIA Killed in Action regular food and the issue of clothing were attractive to many who were used to hard labour in the stone, fishing and agricultural industries of home. It is impossible to say how many served, although statistics show that around 11.5% of all who served died - suggesting a service figure Townland and placename spellings are reproduced as they were recorded in the census returns of of over 250 men from Annalong and its surrounding townlands. Every man was a volunteer since 1901 and 1911. 4 5 Campbell, Hugh Coskery, Francis (Frank) Rifleman (13/17405), 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles Sergeant (18/164), 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles Born on 2nd January 1893 at Mullartown Born on 1st November 1895 at Annalong Parents’ names: Marshall and Mary Ann (née Russell) Parents’ names: William and Annie/Nancy (née Nugent) Occupation: Farmer Occupation: Not Known Father’s Occupation: Farmer Father’s Occupation: Farmer Addresses: 116 in Mullartown (1901); 103 in Mullartown (1911) Addresses: 101 in Moneydorraghmore, Mullarton (1901); Next-of-Kin: Father 19 in Moneydorragh More, Mullartown (1911); Upper Ballylough, Annsborough (CWGC) Denomination: Church of Ireland. Commemorated in Kilhorne Parish Church, Annalong. Next-of-Kin: Mother Enlisted with 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles at Downpatrick in September 1914 Posted to France Theatre of War on 6th October 1915 Denomination: Presbyterian. Commemonrated in Annalong Prebyterian Church. Killed in Action on 1st July 1916, at the age of 23, and is commemorated on the (Surname recorded as Croskery) Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B.) in France Enlisted with 18th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles at Downpatrick Posted to France Theatre of War on 5th October 1915 Medal Entitlement: Killed in Action on 23rd October 1918, at the age of 24, and is buried 1914-15 Star in the Ingoyghem Military Cemetery (C.12) in Belgium British War Medal Victory Medal Medal Entitlement: 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal Additional information: Medal Rolls indicate service with 11th Battalion, SDGW records death with 8th/9th Battalion, CWGC records death with 12th Battalion 6 7 Cunningham, Joseph Donnan, Charles* Company Serjeant Major (27/852), 24th/27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Rifleman (13/17405), 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles Northumberland Fusileers Born February 1892 in Annalong Born on 15th February 1898 at Glassdrummond Parents’ names: Ellen Donnan (Widow) Parents’ names: Charles and Mary Margaret (née Kelly) Occupation: Granite Dresser Addresses: Mullartown Mother’s Occupation: Seamstress Occupation: Boiler factory worker, Cleator Moor, Cumbria Addresses: Annalong 1911 Next-of-Kin: Father Next-of-Kin: Mother Denomination: Roman Catholic Denomination: Presbyterian Enlisted with 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers at Enlisted with Canadian Infantry in July 1915 Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Posted to France Theatre of War on or after 1st January 1916 Died of Wounds (Accidental) on 12th December 1917, at the age of 21, and is buried Additional information: * Charles Donnan was reported in the London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse (III. D. 7.) in France as a fatality in Belfast News Letter in April 1916 however no record of his death or burial is held by Medal Entitlement: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or the Gallantry: Distinguished Conduct Medal (As reported in London Gazette, March 4th 1918) Canadian Virtual War Memorial website. He may ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He continually visited the men of his compnay have been missing, presumed dead and