The WW1 fallen and one UDR soldier killed in 1999
All information is provided in good faith but, on occasions errors may occur. Should this be the case, if new information can be verified please supply it to the author and corrections will then be made.
This memorial has been compiled with additional information by kind permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and from Ancestry.co.uk
Separate Plaque WW2
In everlasting memory of
BELSHAW, James McNeilly. Carpenter, Merchant Navy on S.S. Kenbane Head (Belfast). Born on the 9th July 1908 and died at sea on the 5th November 1940 aged 36. He was the husband of Jane of Ballywalter, County Down. The ship was sunk by enemy shell fire from German battlecruiser . Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
CROMIE, Harry. (CWGC have Henry and Sapper) Lance Corporal 1888355, 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, died 23rd March 1942. Son of Thomas and Eva of Ballywalter. Commemorated on the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
CROMIE, David. Stoker 1st Class, D/KX15720, Royal Navy on H.M.S. Abdiel died on the 10th September 1943 aged 19. The ship was sunk by mines in the Taranto harbour, Italy. Son of Albert and Agnes Cromie, of Ballywalter, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
CROMIE, Robert. Gunner 1476595, 5th Battery, 2nd Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery died 20th June 1942 aged 33. Son of Robert and Martha Cromie, of Ballywalter, Co. Down, Northern Ireland; husband of Edith A. Cromie, of Ballywalter. 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
http://www.udrassociation.co.uk/roll_of_honour.php?id=51
