Joseph O'Rourke likeness

Joseph O'Rourke cap badgePrivate Joseph O'Rourke

17th (Service) Battalion (Rosebery) Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
Service No: 21314

Joseph O'Rourke grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Husband of Jane McClymont Miller O'Rourke of 8e Jackson St, Coatbridge. Father of 9 children - Helen O'Rourke born 22/02/1900, Elizabeth Stewart O'Rourke born 28/04/1901, William Miller O'Rourke born 05/04/1903, Mary Ann O'Rourke born 12/08/1905, John Miller O'Rourke born 07/02/1908, Jessie O'Brien O'Rourke born 01/06/1910, Joseph O'Rourke (01/01/1913 - 04/05/1917) (listed on Joseph's Service Record 2). The other 2 are Joseph's son Peter O'Rourke who died of bronchial pneumonia in February 1916 (see Service Record 5, 6 and 8) and his youngest child Jane Miller O'Rourke who was born the same day he was killed. In his Will dated 27/01/1916 he left all of his property to his wife and family (see Service Record 10). Among his trench possessions were rosary beads, a comb and a pipe (see Service Records). Newspaper clippings state 8 children as Peter died early 1916. Joseph's Pension was awarded to his wife on the 24/03/1917. Seven children also listed.

Born / Resided

Strabane, Co.Tyrone / 8e Jackson St, Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 09/09/1916. He was buried by a bursting shell at Arras

Enlisted

Coatbridge 29/03/1915

Employed

Labourer in the Sun Tube Works

Age

35

Buried / Remembered

Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery (I. G. 22), Arras, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917. The Commonwealth section of the FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity. The cemetery contains over 2,650 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 10 of which are unidentified.

Additional Information

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 01/02/1916 and were part of the 106th Brigade, 35th Division. Joseph was killed when a shell landed in his saphead burying him. When his comrades dug him out he was dead. Joseph was an active member of 267 Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. I personally laid a Poppy at Joseph's grave on the Anniversary of his death in 2008 (see main grave photo). In December 1915 he was absent off pass for 6 days until he was apprehended by the civilian Police in Coatbridge. He forfeited 7 days pay for his absence and was confined to barracks for 10 days (see Service Record 7). Joseph is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Parish (book) and Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos). Also see 3 photos of the Memorial Scroll given to Joseph's Family and still in their possession. See photos for Joseph's Medal Index Card, Newspaper clippings x 3, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Service Records x 14, Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, the Royal Scots Cap Badge and Joseph's Pension Record.

Photos
Joseph O'Rourke Medal Index CardJoseph O'Rourke newspaper clippingJoseph O'Rourke newspaper clippingJoseph O'Rourke newspaper clippingJoseph O'Rourke remembered at homeJoseph O'Rourke remembered at homeJoseph O'Rourke remembered at homeJoseph O'Rourke remembered at homeJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photoJoseph O'Rourke additional photo

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Comments
Doing my own family history it would appear that the majority of men who came to Coatbridge from Ireland worked as Tube Workers. This information must be greatly appreciated by his descendants. Keep up the good work
Anne Richardson, COATBRIDGE, 22/04/2021 11:02AM
I was always told that my great (maybe) great grandad was killed in the First World War and that his name was on the local cenotaph. The name of his wife (Miller) makes me think that this may be the same person as my brother has Miller as one of his names.
Maureen O’Rourke, Coatbridge, 21/04/2021 1:26PM
My grandmother was Jane born the day my great grandfather died her first born was My mother Florence o'Rourke married William Bell from Bargeddie
JANETTE MCLAUGHLAN , COATBRIDGE , 05/12/2019 10:51PM
Joseph o'Rourke was my great grandfather i have the scroll that was sent to his family still in tube with a penny red stamp on it it was handed down to my son by my late father.
Joseph Mc bride , Coatbridge , 22/02/2019 10:01PM

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