Addy, Beresford
Private
No. 71566, 27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Killed in action on Friday 15 September 1916 (aged 23)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Vimy Memorial, France
Methodist College Belfast
BIOGRAPHY
Beresford Addy was born on 6 August 1894 in the townland of Tullyhommon, Co Fermanagh. At attestation he declared that he was born on 6 August 1893 in Pettigo, Co Fermanagh.
Beresford Addy was the youngest son of the Rev William Addy (born in Co Cavan) and Sarah Jane Addy (nee Forde, sometimes Ford, born in Co Fermanagh) who were married under special licence in the bride’s residence on 15 June 1886 – according to the rites of the Methodist Church. The Rev William Addy from Lisbellaw was a son of William Addy, a farmer. Sarah Jane Forde from Bundoran was a daughter of Baptiste Forde, a farmer.
The Rev William Addy was a Methodist Clergyman and he and Sarah Jane had at least ten children including:
Wilhelmina (born 26 June 1887 in Gola, Co Fermanagh)
Albert (born 12 September 1888 in Co Fermanagh)
William (born 5 April 1891 in Mohill, Co Leitrim)
Lillian (born 11 December 1892 in Mohill, Co Leitrim)
Beresford (born 6 August 1894 in Tullyhommon, Co Fermanagh)
Kathleen (born 12 July 1895 in Tullyhommon, Co Fermanagh)
Wilhelmina Gladys (born 17 October 1897 in Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone)
Victoria Eileen (born 31 January 1901 in Co Donegal)
Georgina Violet (born 10 October 1902 in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan)
The Rev William Addy ministered in several Methodist churches in Ireland, including Glastry Methodist Church, and he died on 20 December 1923.
Beresford Addy attended Methodist College Belfast and before moving to Canada he worked as an apprentice to the pharmaceutical chemist in Connor’s of Hill Street Newry.
Beresford was the youngest of three Addy brothers who served with the Canadian Forces. He enlisted in Winnipeg Manitoba on 28 October 1914, he declared that he was a carpenter and he cited his father as his next-of-kin.
He stated his father’s address to be Epworth Lodge, Fintona, Co Tyrone.
It was noted in his attestation papers that he was 5 feet 8½ inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Private Beresford Addy was 23 when he was killed in action on 15 September 1916 at Flers-Courcelette and he has no known grave.
His death was reported in the Newtownards Chronicle and the family’s Glastry connection highlighted.
At the time of Beresford Addy’s death one of his sisters was a teacher in Dungannon Royal School.
Private Beresford Addy is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France and in Methodist College Belfast.